Teambuilding: Yellowave Beach Sports, Brighton

 

My only real point of reference for this sport is that fantastic scene in Top Gun where Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose take on their biggest rivals, Iceman and Slider. Maybe it was the brilliant accompanying Kenny Loggins song Playing with the Boys that helped fix it in my mind.

As such, beach volleyball has always been something I’ve had a reverence for – and been keen to try. Yet, when the team and I were invited down to Yellowave’s Beach Sports in Brighton, I’d still never bounced my way around one of the sport’s sandy courts.

Good teambuilding is inclusive – everyone having a go and enjoying it – so I must say I was a little wary this one might not tick all the boxes. And that I’d be utterly useless at it, frankly. But it’s not as tough as those fighter pilots would have you believe: we had a ball.

Our session started with a qualified instructor welcoming us to the venue, then quickly running through the basics. Before long, we were throwing ourselves around the sand, ignoring what he’d said, having a great time. I later found out we’d unknowingly been playing Brazilian footvolley, in which players use all of their limbs.

Our two-hour slot was soon up and my opponents emerged the victors. All that lunging and high-fiving is thirsty work, so we repaired to the clubhouse for a few buckets full of icy Corona while the barbecue was lit on the terrace. Both can be hired exclusively for groups and the former works rather well as a small but well-appointed pre-match meetings space.

Next time we come down it’ll be with more people so we can get a tournament going and organise a presentation. I’ll have Kenny Loggins playing when we do.

A typical corporate day at Yellowave Beach Sports consists of 50 people across three courts, with exclusive hire of the clubhouse included for £250. For an additional £10pp, a barbecue can be served up once the beach volleyball has finished.

299 Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN | 01273 672222

Photos Damien Gabet