The Sand Pit

Now in its sixth full season, Beach Tennis USA continues to spread the gospel of beach tennis throughout the U.S. and beyond

May 20, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
03_5

For the 2010 season, the biggest development for Beach Tennis USA (BTUSA) is the switch from standard tennis racquets to paddles for regulation tournament play. The change was made largely to facilitate the unification of the many international beach tennis associations throughout Europe, South America and Asia.

“By converting to the paddle, Beach Tennis USA will be able to work more closely with our international partners to grow the sport, both on the pro and recreational levels,” said Marc Altheim, BTUSA’s founder and commissioner. Altheim added that he believes the switch to paddles will help introduce beach tennis to more “non-tennis” players, thereby allowing it to become a more mainstream activity for casual beachgoers.
Jim Lorenzo, president of BTUSA, has been working to achieve the company’s long-term goal of making beach tennis an Olympic sport.

“In addition to implementing the use of paddles we have initiated dialogue with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to discuss ways that we can unify the sport of beach tennis worldwide,” said Lorenzo.
Finally, to further its efforts in standardizing the sport on a global level, Beach Tennis USA also has adopted the international court dimensions of 8 X 16 meters and a net height of 170 centimeters (5’ 6 ¾”).

Another major development in 2010 is a partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union of the USA Inc. (AAU). For the first time, beach tennis will be included in the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the largest youth multi-sport event in the country; which this year will be held from July 29-Aug. 7 in Hampton Roads, Va. More than 14,000 participants representing 50 states and U.S. territories take part in more than 20 sports. The Beach Tennis Championships will be held on July 31 and Aug. 1.

“The 2010 AAU Junior Olympic Games will be open to anyone who wants to play beach tennis, even if it’s for the first time,” said Altheim. “We’ll have clinics, games and activities for anyone who wants to give it a try."
BTUSA’s first major tournament of 2010 was held in Key Biscayne, Fla. on March 27-28 at the Sony Ericsson Open in Crandon Park. Pro and amateur play was held for men and women, and players from throughout the U.S. and around the world competed. This was the fourth consecutive year that BTUSA held a tournament at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Winners of the BTUSA tournament Pro Divisions at the Sony Ericsson Open were Lee Whitwell and Joslyn Burkett of San Diego (Women’s Division) and Alex Mingozzi and Alessandro Calbucci of Ravenna, Italy (Men’s Division).

“Once again, our tournament at Sony Ericsson was a huge success,” said Lorenzo. “Our relationship with the City of Miami and Miami Dade County has progressed to the point where they gave us permission to set up five permanent beach tennis courts.”

 

The first BTUSA Instructor Certification Program was held at the Sony Ericsson Open. According to Lorenzo, 12 individuals completed the one-day certification program, which was taught by master instructors Alex Mingozzi, Massimo Mattei and Matteo Marighella of Italy. A certification program will be held on Long Island during the month of June and the date and place will be posted on the BTUSA Web site, www.beachtennisusa.net, in the weeks to come.

In addition to the Sony Ericsson Open and the AAU Junior Olympics, BTUSA will be holding tournaments in cities including, Long Beach, N.Y.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Chicago; San Diego, Calif.; Hermosa Beach, Calif.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Charleston, S.C. The sixth annual National Championship will be held in Long Beach, N.Y. on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-6).

Long Beach, N.Y., which is the unofficial home of American beach tennis, will also be the site of league and recreational play on both weekdays and weeknights during the summer. Courts will be located on the beach at New York Avenue, and people of all ages and skill levels can sign up. Details will be posted on the BTUSA Web site (www.beachtennisusa.net) in the weeks to come.

Also in Long Beach, N.Y., Skudin Surf and BTUSA have entered into a partnership for 2010. Beach tennis will be incorporated into the surfing school’s summer camp program, and children who attend the camp in July and August will have the opportunity to learn the sport of beach tennis.

If you want to try your hand at beach tennis this year you should check out Beach Tennis USA’s Web site to find out where you can play and how you can purchase an official BTUSA/Vision Paddle. These high-quality carbon paddles are available in several varieties and can be purchased individually or in bundles. Official paddles are available in the U.S. only through Beach Tennis USA.

In case you don’t live near a beach or have access to a sand court, don’t fret. Beach tennis can now be played on the grass or in the snow, making it a year-round sport. Look for more about this in the next installment of The Sand Pit.

BTUSA on the Island in ‘10
This summer, Beach Tennis USA will hold at least one Ranking Tournament per month in Long Beach, N.Y. As we went to press, two tournaments have been scheduled with more to follow. The site, www.beachtennisusa.net, will be updating the tournament schedule throughout the spring/summer as more information becomes available.

June 12-13: BTUSA Ranking Tournament
September 4-6: 2010 BTUSA National Championships


 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Pointset
Century

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