Barbecues on the beach, warm sand, a magnificent sunset and most importantly volleyball, volleyball and volleyball.
Long Island’s beach volleyball leagues kicked off last month continuing a summer-long tradition of sun, sweat and high-fives.
Here’s a look at some of Long Island’s beach volleyball leagues heading into the summer:
• East End Volleyball
Richard Heiles founded East End Volleyball (EEVB) in 1977 when he was 25 years old, and has now seen it grow into one of the largest beach volleyball series in the east coast.
Heiles says the beach volleyball scene was vastly different 37 years ago.
“Back in 1977, there was nothing organized,” Heiles said. “We were sitting on the beach with nothing to do. People like doing something athletic but there was no opportunity.”
When asked if he envisioned EEVB becoming so popular, he said, “Not even close.”
EEVB is composed of three leagues in the summer: Cedar Beach League, Long Beach League and East Quogue League. It all wraps up on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a league-wide championship tournament at Cedar Beach.
To participate in the league, you must have a Volley America membership. Volley America is a grassroots outdoor Volleyball organization that was created in 2011 by EEVB. Membership cost $15 per player, ($20 if done at the beach) and run from 1/1 to 12/31 of the calendar year.
Despite being past the May 15 deadline, teams can still sign up to play this summer by registering at eevb.net. Depending on the league (Cedar Beach, Long Beach, East Quogue) and division (Competitive 6’s, Recreational 4s, etc) you wish to sign up for, fees could range from $170 to $700 for summer play. A $100 late fee will also be charged
Single players hoping to latch on to a team can sign up on the East End Volleyball Single Player Forum Facebook page.
“We give them more playing opportunity, more games per night,” said Heiles. “We’ve been doing it longer and better than everybody else.”
• Long Island Volleyball Association
The Long Island Volleyball Association (LIVA) is comprised of two leagues. One plays its games under the lights at Jones Beach Volleyball Stadium and the other plays at Robert Moses State Park. LIVA started with 28 teams in 1998 and ballooned to over 1,200 teams a year ago.
During games, satellite music is played at both locations including DJ Night on Monday Nights at Robert Moses.
At Robert Moses, games start at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. A Co-ed 6-person team (made up of 10 players) and Co-ed 4-person team (made up of 5 players) pay $475 per two-month session. It’s $20 per additional player.
Session 1 started May 18 and ends July 17. Session 2 starts July 20 and ends Sept. 18.
At Jones Beach, play starts at 6:45 p.m. and follows with games at 7:40, 8:35 and 9:30 Monday through Thursday. On Sunday, play starts at 6:20 p.m. then 7:15, 8:10 and 9:05.
Co-ed 6-person and 4-person teams pay $495 at Jones Beach. If teams opt to play at the 9:30 slot Monday through Thursday, the fee is reduced to $425. If teams opt to play at 9:05 Sunday night (usually around 9:05 pm) the fee is reduced to $400.
When you register your team, you pick the day and time you want and you will play that same day and time each week.
All players whether at Jones Beach or Robert Moses, need to also pay a $20 insurance fee.
If you don’t have a team, individual registration is $100 plus the $20 insurance fee for a 6’s or a 4’s team. To sign up yourself or a team online, just visit longislandvolleyball.com.
High School junior varsity and varsity teams are also welcomed to play in one of the leagues. Coaches or parents just need to call the office at 631-422-5555.
• North Folk Beach Volleyball
Established since 1995, the North Folk Beach Volleyball (NFBV) is a non-profit amateur beach volleyball organization. NFBV, which is also sanctioned by Volley America, provides a local volleyball alternative for Southold and Mattituck residents not wanting to travel far. Games take place at Breakwater Beach and Southold Beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information, visit Northfolkbeachvolleyball.com.
