Outdoor Gems: Deerfield Beach - Volleyball Magazine
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Volleyball’s first in a series on beach hotspots features this Florida coastal city where you can always find a game. Cindy Phillips (second from right) runs beach volleyball camps in her hometown of Deerfield Beach, Florida. On Florida’s southeast coast, nestled between the more working class Pompano Beach and the upscale Boca Raton, lies Deerfield Beach. A city of 66,000-plus, Deerfield Beach is also one of the hottest spots in Florida for beach volleyball. The city maintains six sand courts on the beach, and it’s pretty easy to find a game virtually from sunrise to sunset. With an exceptionally low crime rate, the beach itself has long been a favorite of true beach volleyball enthusiasts. In 2000, Deerfield Beach was the recipient of the Blue Wave Award for having one of the most pristine beaches in Florida. "I’ve worked here for 10 years and throughout those 10 years the beach volleyball scene here has been strong and consistent," says Marcos Smith, the owner of Island Water Sports, located across the street from the beach. "Day in and day out we have at least 10 to 20 people at the courts all the time." There are many things that make Deerfield Beach a required stop if you’re touring Florida, the same things that make it a volleyball hotbed for the locals as well. "We’re very lucky here," says Cindy Phillips, a Deerfield Beacher who was the 2004 and 2005 Bud Light national champion and the 2006 runner-up. She also offers beach volleyball coaching and training (www.beachdig.com). "There’s a lot of things that make this a great place to play. The sand here is probably the deepest sand on this coast and probably the closest thing to California you’ll find. And the town itself is growing like crazy." Phillips said the city installed the sixth court on the beach at the end of February, which has increased the opportunity to get into a game. Deerfield beach will also host four professional tournaments this summer. Phillips is also leading the charge to get more young players involved in the beach game. And through a joint effort with Club Florida, Beach Dig and the Zephyrhills Beach Volleyball Tour, a complete summer season of beach volleyball for junior boys and girls will be offered. "When I came here 6-7 years ago it was very quiet," Phillips said. "The word that’s out now is that Deerfield Beach is the place to meet. We have people that have come back here every year for the last 10-15 years. Weekends are insane." Smith says people who play volleyball at Deerfield Beach care about more than just the game. "The people that play here are part of the community," he said. "They get involved with the city in keeping things well-run and organized. Deerfield beach is a tight community. They work, eat and sleep here and nobody gets bored here." Deerfield Beach also boasts, according to Phillips, the only bar/restaurant establishments between Deerfield or Daytona Beach where one can literally step off the patio of the bar and onto a beach volleyball court. JB’s On the Beach and Oceans 234 both offer a bar, full food menus and entertainment. "The nets are laid out perfect and the size of the beach makes it a great place to watch a game," said Scott Moen, general manager of JB’s on the Beach, which opened in October 2002. "We just like the youth and the energy the volleyball players bring. It’s an ideal clientele for us." Moen says JB’s is not only a hot sport of r players to cool off after a game, but it’s Tiki bar also provides tourists and locals alike a place to kick back and watch several games going on at once. "The energy in the bar is amazing," he said. "The aura is incredible. We try to promote volleyball and help build the program here. It’s perfect for what we do." "I think the future of the sport here is incredible," said Phillips, who is working with the city to build sand courts in a city park so she can organize leagues. "It’s just a great place to live and a great place to play volleyball." |
