Not a training camp: what a beach volleyball holiday with Volleytours is really about

When you hear "beach volleyball camp", you might first think of early mornings, a strict training plan and sore muscles. With us, it's deliberately different: we're not a training camp for competitive sport, but a holiday with beach volleyball at its heart – with top coaches, nice people, a chilled atmosphere and small groups.

Is a beach volleyball camp the same as a training camp?

No. A classic training camp is designed to boost performance: a tight programme, high training volumes, often with competition preparation as the goal. A Volleytours camp has a different aim – you should experience a week of sport, sun and community without it turning into a fitness bootcamp. Sport is at the centre, but not as an end in itself or as proof of performance.

How is a Volleytours camp different from a classic training camp?

The biggest difference lies in the basic attitude: for us it's not about who has come furthest by the end of the week, but about everyone leaving with a good feeling. That shows in several ways – small training groups instead of mass processing, coaches who pay as much attention to mood and motivation as to technique, and plenty of free time besides training for the beach, the pool or simply doing nothing. A training camp optimises your performance. A Volleytours camp optimises your holiday.

How sporty do I need to be to take part?

You don't have to be a competitive athlete. Training takes place in small groups by level – from "has never stood in the sand" to "has played in a club for years". The coaches adapt pace and difficulty to each group instead of pushing through a uniform high-performance programme. If you're more of a recreational or casual player but already know your way around beach volleyball, you're exactly right with us – Volleytours is deliberately not aimed primarily at complete beginners or ambitious competitive athletes, but at everyone in between.

Most guests bring some playing experience – from a club, a recreational league or simply from playing regularly with friends – and want to improve in a relaxed setting without it turning into pressure. If you've never touched a ball in the sand, you're welcome too, but at camp you'll be the exception rather than the rule.

What does "chilled atmosphere" mean in everyday camp life?

Training sessions alternate with plenty of free time in which you decide for yourself whether to keep playing, go to the beach or simply put your feet up. There's no tightly scheduled fitness plan and no external pressure to be ambitious. The coaches set the tone: motivating rather than drilling, humorous rather than strict. It's exactly this mix that makes the difference to a classic training camp – what counts in the end is that you look forward to the next training session, not that you have to survive it.

What makes the coaches at Volleytours different from those at a training camp?

At a classic training camp, coaches are chosen primarily for their professional qualifications and track record. At Volleytours, how someone leads a group also counts: motivating rather than authoritarian, with humour rather than drills, and with a feel for when a group needs a break rather than another drill. The top coaches who define Volleytours are therefore not only technically strong but also the ones who actively shape the relaxed atmosphere at the net – they're often just as much part of the evening crowd as of the training group during the day.

Who might be better off at a classic training camp after all?

If your goal is a strict performance programme with fitness preparation, a nutrition plan and a competition focus, a Volleytours camp isn't the right place – there are specialised training camps for competitive athletes for that. If, on the other hand, you want to play beach volleyball, improve and at the same time enjoy a real holiday with nice people, you're in the right place with us.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Volleytours camp suitable for beginners?

Yes, in the beginner training groups you learn the basics without pressure – but the camps are just as much aimed at recreational and casual players with some experience.

Do I need to train beforehand or be fit to take part?

No, no special fitness preparation is needed. The training groups are divided by playing level, not fitness level.

How much free time do I have besides training?

Besides the training sessions, there's deliberately time for the beach, pool and relaxation – a Volleytours camp isn't a tightly scheduled training plan.

Is the atmosphere more competition- or holiday-oriented?

Clearly holiday-oriented. Training is ambitious but without pressure to perform – sport, sun and community come first.

Who is Volleytours not the right choice for?

For anyone specifically looking for intensive performance training with competition preparation – specialised training camps are the better place for that.

Conclusion

A Volleytours camp is designed so that beach volleyball is the common denominator – not the only focus and certainly not a source of pressure. Top coaches, small groups and a chilled atmosphere make sure that at the end of the week it was the holiday that came first, not the training load. You'll find all camps and dates on volleytours.com/en/camps-events – come as a player, leave as a friend.