Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Classic 2008

Gale force winds and torrential rain made the 2008 Sandbanks Classic the most challenging yet. Over 250 entries made it the largest Britain’s seen, but appalling weather on Sunday morning meant that a number of teams dropped out.

However they missed out on a much brighter afternoon which certainly pleased the vast number who had stayed!

There were some high quality matches as the wind dropped and the weather held for the fiercely competitive and exciting Finals, which were played before large crowds.

The top Men’s and Women’s divisions formed the British Open, a Grand Slam on the Volleyball England Beach Tour. The Women’s Final featured Britain’s top four players with local girl, Zara Dampney, pairing with Lucy Boulton to beat Shauna Mullin and Denise Johns. In the Men’s Final, GB coaches, Matt Grinlaubs and Morph Bowes overcame last years winners, London based Steve Fee and Aaron Stolberg.

Six of the sixteen junior competitions formed the British Junior Championships. Amongst the winners were local Wessex players-

• Craig Duckmanton and Luke Bartlett - Under 18 Men British Beach Champions
• Joe Lambe and Harry Pampigilone - Under 16 Boys British Champions
• Annie Tinker and Helena Lumley - Under 16 Girls Beach Champions
• Matt Hunter, Ryan Palmer and Ryan Stout - Under 14 Boys British Champions

Other winners were Under 12 Champions, Sam Walrond, Joel Roberts and Ben Torrens, while Sandbanks had success in the Senior 4’s and Wessex Wrecks were runners up.

The organisers, Wessex Volleyball Club would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave their time to run the event, to all the people who donated prizes - and to all who supported in order to make the Classic happen.

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