by Phil Whitesell
Wow...what it was like to win in 2009 after loosing the title for the past two years to the Italians....GREAT! I'm on cloud nine....Getting up in the middle of the night with my 10 month old...doesn't seem so bad.....having to go get a new dvd player because 6 and 4 year old crammed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in it....doesn't seem so bad....smelling the intollerable gas fumes coming from my partner, Chis Henderson, on the plane ride home after a night of partying victoriously....now...that was bad!
But seriously, the Italian team was so much better than us and the rest of the field it was like always playing for second. We chased them for the past two years to New York, then to Miami, and Bermuda and started to get closer and closer to being victorious and then we finally found a game plan that we thought would work after many of nights studying film and still had to play a near flawless game to finally win.
As Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics said, and I quote, "Anything is possible." After finally winning the NBA Championship. I feel now in my life, if I hold this principle closely, I can carry this into my everyday life. Let's not forget, you are who you are from your friends and family and we all need to rise above success and failure, but there is a state of euphoria when you finally reach your goal, especially when you have been beaten and battered and eaten more sand than imaginable in the depths of the beach tennis sand pit.
God I'm good!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A Wild Ride on the BTUSA Tour
by Nadia Johnston
A Superbowl exhibition, beach tennis at Spring Break in Panama City Beach, three tournaments in Florida, one tournament in New York, and a regular partner. Add that all together and you have a very busy and quite successful start to the 2009 BTUSA season for me.
It all started in Tampa, FL with a Superbowl Exhibition, where BTUSA teamed up with the AVP Tour to show off our respective sand sports. This was definitely a BTUSA highlight for me. The Superbowl parties were a blast, Jimmy (Lorenzo) was chillin with Lil Wayne, and the mixed doubles team of “Team Sexy” (Mike Edison and myself) was born.
Panama City Beach was next for some Beach Tennis Spring Break style. I must admit being an Australian and never having experienced “spring break”, I was a little unsure of what to expect. What resulted was a beautiful beach (early in the morning before it was covered in beer cans), great weather, and a whole lot of College kids playing beach tennis. It was a great site!
Following the exhibitions, the 2009 BTUSA Tour got underway with the first stop in Clearwater, FL. A win there was a great start to the season., however the next event in Miami threw us a curve ball with some teams from Italy (the home of Beach Tennis) flying in for the event. Despite coming up short in the final, I felt like I personally played some of my best ever beach tennis, and really got a feel for how the game should be played.
Next stop was Fort Lauderdale, FL, and with another win under our belts there we then moved up to our backyard of Long Beach, NY to take that title as well. An added bonus in NY was a highly competitive and intense mixed doubles event, in which “Team Sexy” thrived on.
The biggest change for me this season has been teaming up with my old tennis buddy Nicole Melch. It has given a new element to my beach tennis game... a regular partner. This is something that I hadn‘t experienced, but that I am definitely liking.
So the wins in Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale and New York have put Nicole and I at the top of the women’s ranking, a position we will hope to take into the National Championships and hold on to. With the Maloney sisters not hitting the East Coast and myself not being able to venture west, the scene is set for a big showdown at the 2009 BTUSA National Championships. Bring it on!!!
Nadia Johnston is a three-time national beach tennis champion (2005-2007) and resides in Long Beach, NY.
A Superbowl exhibition, beach tennis at Spring Break in Panama City Beach, three tournaments in Florida, one tournament in New York, and a regular partner. Add that all together and you have a very busy and quite successful start to the 2009 BTUSA season for me.
It all started in Tampa, FL with a Superbowl Exhibition, where BTUSA teamed up with the AVP Tour to show off our respective sand sports. This was definitely a BTUSA highlight for me. The Superbowl parties were a blast, Jimmy (Lorenzo) was chillin with Lil Wayne, and the mixed doubles team of “Team Sexy” (Mike Edison and myself) was born.
Panama City Beach was next for some Beach Tennis Spring Break style. I must admit being an Australian and never having experienced “spring break”, I was a little unsure of what to expect. What resulted was a beautiful beach (early in the morning before it was covered in beer cans), great weather, and a whole lot of College kids playing beach tennis. It was a great site!
Following the exhibitions, the 2009 BTUSA Tour got underway with the first stop in Clearwater, FL. A win there was a great start to the season., however the next event in Miami threw us a curve ball with some teams from Italy (the home of Beach Tennis) flying in for the event. Despite coming up short in the final, I felt like I personally played some of my best ever beach tennis, and really got a feel for how the game should be played.
Next stop was Fort Lauderdale, FL, and with another win under our belts there we then moved up to our backyard of Long Beach, NY to take that title as well. An added bonus in NY was a highly competitive and intense mixed doubles event, in which “Team Sexy” thrived on.
The biggest change for me this season has been teaming up with my old tennis buddy Nicole Melch. It has given a new element to my beach tennis game... a regular partner. This is something that I hadn‘t experienced, but that I am definitely liking.
So the wins in Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale and New York have put Nicole and I at the top of the women’s ranking, a position we will hope to take into the National Championships and hold on to. With the Maloney sisters not hitting the East Coast and myself not being able to venture west, the scene is set for a big showdown at the 2009 BTUSA National Championships. Bring it on!!!
Nadia Johnston is a three-time national beach tennis champion (2005-2007) and resides in Long Beach, NY.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
West Coast, Baby!
by Marty Salokas
What’s going on? This is Marty “Kodiak” Salokas from Hermosa Beach, California with a shout out to the beach tennis crowd. We’re just got back from the first event of the year in Tampa Bay , back from a San Diego challenge match two days ago and played again today in Hermosa Beach...Beach Tennis baby, the itch you can’t scratch.
The Tampa Bay open was a great event to kick-off the year. We decided last minute to make the trip from Los Angeles on Thursday night, two days before the tournament begins. We got in Friday morning after sleeping on the plane, which everyone knows is the best night sleep ever; got into a cab and went to Clearwater Beach. We found our hotel with an ocean view, had a nap, and headed out to practice. After my glorious sleep the night before, my body wasn’t ready to practice and I pulled my back muscle, bad. I fell down into the sand and started tightening up. I knew this was going to be a long night to be ready for the morning. Long story short, some Advil, heating pads, and your partner’s elbows digging into your back to release the tightness does the trick. We had a great Saturday, played three good teams including Coach Rhino and another one of our Hermosa boys, Lincoln and his 16 year old ringer, Drew. The weather was epic, hot and sunny with no humidity, which for the Cali people is ideal…we hate humidity. Aside from a little wind that picked up late in the day, conditions were optimal for beach tennis. We made it through to Sunday which was a relief and again, played three solid teams. The big match of the day was us versus the Rhino boys, Mike and Brett. The winds were up for this one, ‘bout 15-20 mph with some gusts slightly higher. The match was a crafty one, each of us using the wind creatively to their advantage. The match was tight, the whole time with 13 breaks of serve which at this level is tough. I know Brett is gunning for me after the overhead he caught for me with his face, and maybe Simeon too for the couple he got, but bring it, that is the sweet part of our sport. We got to 6-6, we won six straight points and eventually closed them out 8-6 to win our first BTUSA title. We went out and celebrated with everybody till late in the night -or early morning- left for the airport an hour later, and got home just in time for work.
Upon return from our trip to any tournament, we always take a couple days rest after the beating the body takes with the travel, playing and sleep deprivation, but hey, that’s part of sports. Next on the list was a social/competitive match with some of our friends down in San Diego including the Maloney sisters who owned the circuit last year going undefeated and winning the national championship. Not so sure about this year though, we have got some tough teams that have been working hard in the off season. Maloney’s vs. Kristen/Lucy in the national title this year! We brought about twelve players down to play and they had about the same. We played for about five hours, hit the Jacuzzi, ate some BBQ and had a party with all the players. It was a great time and I’m sure the start of many more.
Now that we are home for a couple weeks, we can get back into our rigorous schedule. We’re talking early morning running in the sand, sets and sets of stairs, hours in the gym, and the toughest of all…sitting on the beach, relaxing and playing the game we love. We play this game for the love of the sport and our love to fight and win. My partner, Donny Young, has really helped me grow as a player and has become one of my good buddies. We want to win the National Title this year and we will be happy with nothing less. Yes, we know that means that we have to beat the Italian duo of Matteo and Alex from Ravenna, Italy but we fear no team and mark my words: The Italians will go down this year by our hands! We have some great teams in America, but in order to beat a team that has been playing for over 20 years, it will take something spectacular. We are coming for you stronzos!
Our group consists currently of over 220 people playing beach tennis currently and throughout the year on our local beaches. If anybody in the Los Angeles area is interested in getting in shape and learning this game, come out and try it. You can visit our website at www.westcoastbeachtennis.net. We have a great team of Pros down here ready and excited to kick off this year with local events, leagues, lessons and tournaments. Check the site for more info or email me at westcoastkodiak@gmail.com.
What’s going on? This is Marty “Kodiak” Salokas from Hermosa Beach, California with a shout out to the beach tennis crowd. We’re just got back from the first event of the year in Tampa Bay , back from a San Diego challenge match two days ago and played again today in Hermosa Beach...Beach Tennis baby, the itch you can’t scratch.
The Tampa Bay open was a great event to kick-off the year. We decided last minute to make the trip from Los Angeles on Thursday night, two days before the tournament begins. We got in Friday morning after sleeping on the plane, which everyone knows is the best night sleep ever; got into a cab and went to Clearwater Beach. We found our hotel with an ocean view, had a nap, and headed out to practice. After my glorious sleep the night before, my body wasn’t ready to practice and I pulled my back muscle, bad. I fell down into the sand and started tightening up. I knew this was going to be a long night to be ready for the morning. Long story short, some Advil, heating pads, and your partner’s elbows digging into your back to release the tightness does the trick. We had a great Saturday, played three good teams including Coach Rhino and another one of our Hermosa boys, Lincoln and his 16 year old ringer, Drew. The weather was epic, hot and sunny with no humidity, which for the Cali people is ideal…we hate humidity. Aside from a little wind that picked up late in the day, conditions were optimal for beach tennis. We made it through to Sunday which was a relief and again, played three solid teams. The big match of the day was us versus the Rhino boys, Mike and Brett. The winds were up for this one, ‘bout 15-20 mph with some gusts slightly higher. The match was a crafty one, each of us using the wind creatively to their advantage. The match was tight, the whole time with 13 breaks of serve which at this level is tough. I know Brett is gunning for me after the overhead he caught for me with his face, and maybe Simeon too for the couple he got, but bring it, that is the sweet part of our sport. We got to 6-6, we won six straight points and eventually closed them out 8-6 to win our first BTUSA title. We went out and celebrated with everybody till late in the night -or early morning- left for the airport an hour later, and got home just in time for work.Upon return from our trip to any tournament, we always take a couple days rest after the beating the body takes with the travel, playing and sleep deprivation, but hey, that’s part of sports. Next on the list was a social/competitive match with some of our friends down in San Diego including the Maloney sisters who owned the circuit last year going undefeated and winning the national championship. Not so sure about this year though, we have got some tough teams that have been working hard in the off season. Maloney’s vs. Kristen/Lucy in the national title this year! We brought about twelve players down to play and they had about the same. We played for about five hours, hit the Jacuzzi, ate some BBQ and had a party with all the players. It was a great time and I’m sure the start of many more.
Now that we are home for a couple weeks, we can get back into our rigorous schedule. We’re talking early morning running in the sand, sets and sets of stairs, hours in the gym, and the toughest of all…sitting on the beach, relaxing and playing the game we love. We play this game for the love of the sport and our love to fight and win. My partner, Donny Young, has really helped me grow as a player and has become one of my good buddies. We want to win the National Title this year and we will be happy with nothing less. Yes, we know that means that we have to beat the Italian duo of Matteo and Alex from Ravenna, Italy but we fear no team and mark my words: The Italians will go down this year by our hands! We have some great teams in America, but in order to beat a team that has been playing for over 20 years, it will take something spectacular. We are coming for you stronzos!
Our group consists currently of over 220 people playing beach tennis currently and throughout the year on our local beaches. If anybody in the Los Angeles area is interested in getting in shape and learning this game, come out and try it. You can visit our website at www.westcoastbeachtennis.net. We have a great team of Pros down here ready and excited to kick off this year with local events, leagues, lessons and tournaments. Check the site for more info or email me at westcoastkodiak@gmail.com.
Friday, March 6, 2009
2009 Season & Tampa Bay Beach Tennis Academy
by Brett Johnson
I can't believe it's that time of the year again. Here is some thoughts from me on the upcoming season, our event and the academy!
As for the season: I couldn't be more ready for something to hurry up and be here than I am for the 2009 season. I am looking forward to getting back on the beach and tearing it up. It's the time that all the training hours in the gym finally show off and the mental preparation for the season comes full force. As far as Team Rhino goes, we are confident that we are continuing to get better day by day. The effort we put in on the court practicing is going to show this year. Although we were pleased with last year ending at #1, we are not satisfied, as no good athlete should be I might add!! We strive to be the best at what we do and will not be 100% happy until we are. We know that teams will be gunning for us this year because we were given that #1 title and we are more than happy to say "bring it on". This is what we live for as competitive people. We are focused on our two big rivals, The Italians, since no one has beaten them they are obviously on everybody's hit list. And the "Charleston Boys", Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson. We were happy to get that much-needed win against them last year on their home turf, but overall they still have our number and we are looking to change that this year. So Phil might what to take off his Dockers pants and untie his sweater around his shoulders and get ready for it!!
Our event in Clearwater on March 21-22 is going to be awesome! Mike and I have put a lot of time, effort and heart into making this one of the best licensee tournaments that BTUSA has seen. Having it on Clearwater Beach during spring break is going to allow for a lot of traffic to come out and watch the great performances that all the players are going to put on. We are promoting it hard here in the area, trying to get the word out as much as we can that this great event is going to be going on and people should come out and see it and try beach tennis if they have not already.
The academy is going to be a great avenue for people to learn more in depth about the sport of Beach Tennis. They will be able to learn from two of the best beach tennis players how the sport is played and how to play it at such a high level. The amount of experience that Mike and I are bringing to the table with this academy is really one of the bright spots and selling points for people to try it out. The sport itself is growing at such an amazing pace and we just want to continue that by giving people a place to, not only play the sport but also learn how to play it to the best of their ability in order to really enjoy it to its fullest.
On top of that it should also be noted that we are still currently actively searching for sponsors for this year and beyond. We are willing to listen to any and all ideas and are greatful for all the support.
I can't believe it's that time of the year again. Here is some thoughts from me on the upcoming season, our event and the academy!
As for the season: I couldn't be more ready for something to hurry up and be here than I am for the 2009 season. I am looking forward to getting back on the beach and tearing it up. It's the time that all the training hours in the gym finally show off and the mental preparation for the season comes full force. As far as Team Rhino goes, we are confident that we are continuing to get better day by day. The effort we put in on the court practicing is going to show this year. Although we were pleased with last year ending at #1, we are not satisfied, as no good athlete should be I might add!! We strive to be the best at what we do and will not be 100% happy until we are. We know that teams will be gunning for us this year because we were given that #1 title and we are more than happy to say "bring it on". This is what we live for as competitive people. We are focused on our two big rivals, The Italians, since no one has beaten them they are obviously on everybody's hit list. And the "Charleston Boys", Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson. We were happy to get that much-needed win against them last year on their home turf, but overall they still have our number and we are looking to change that this year. So Phil might what to take off his Dockers pants and untie his sweater around his shoulders and get ready for it!!
Our event in Clearwater on March 21-22 is going to be awesome! Mike and I have put a lot of time, effort and heart into making this one of the best licensee tournaments that BTUSA has seen. Having it on Clearwater Beach during spring break is going to allow for a lot of traffic to come out and watch the great performances that all the players are going to put on. We are promoting it hard here in the area, trying to get the word out as much as we can that this great event is going to be going on and people should come out and see it and try beach tennis if they have not already.
The academy is going to be a great avenue for people to learn more in depth about the sport of Beach Tennis. They will be able to learn from two of the best beach tennis players how the sport is played and how to play it at such a high level. The amount of experience that Mike and I are bringing to the table with this academy is really one of the bright spots and selling points for people to try it out. The sport itself is growing at such an amazing pace and we just want to continue that by giving people a place to, not only play the sport but also learn how to play it to the best of their ability in order to really enjoy it to its fullest.
On top of that it should also be noted that we are still currently actively searching for sponsors for this year and beyond. We are willing to listen to any and all ideas and are greatful for all the support.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Join the Movement
by Phil Whitesell
I have been very fortunate to be a part of BTUSA since it's inception in Summer 2005 and was actually one of the first to play the sport in the States. One of the great aspects about the sport is competing at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world; Aruba, Bermuda, Long Island, NY, Hermosa Beach, CA...etc. Losing a point isn't such a big deal anymore I look around and see Mother Nature putting on an awesome display and forget my disappointment at my partner Chris for blowing the shot.
But Seriously, other than Beach Volleyball there is no other sport that participates in more beautiful settings...well maybe skiing....but I hate the cold!
Right now I'm calling all Beach Tennis Players out. The sport itself cannot grow from the men and women playing the professional tour or the administrators of Beach Tennis USA but from players like you who are looking for something new and exciting to do. For people who go to the beach to be active and not just lay around nursing a hangover but working that hangover off, that your choice of combat, your arena to do battle is in the sand pit that can swallow you whole or for you ladies that would like to use it as a cat walk to strut your stuff.
Whatever the reason, Uncle Sam needs you to be active and show off your sex appeal. Guys start doing your 100 pound curls, ladies break out that little bikini that you were saving to show your ex, because at the beach there's always a built in audience. All the people laying around need to have entertainment and nothing is more entertaining then the movement of the new sport of Beach Tennis.
Whether you're playing the singles or the doubles game it's always nice to have admirers. Not feeling like you've got that beach bod yet, don't worry there's nothing better than reaching your goal and having fun at the same time playing Beach Tennis. It definitely beats the gym! We need go getters like you are willing to form teams locally or coordinate leagues. Who find it more interesting to go on a vacation not only get some R&R but to compete at an activity that you love. Every tournament has amateur divisions and a killer players party (Can't go into details on that, you'll have to see it for yourself)
If you are reading this then you're almost there. Pick up that phone and contact BTUSA. Together we can make this an awesome sport!
Join the Movement! Olympics 2012.
I have been very fortunate to be a part of BTUSA since it's inception in Summer 2005 and was actually one of the first to play the sport in the States. One of the great aspects about the sport is competing at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world; Aruba, Bermuda, Long Island, NY, Hermosa Beach, CA...etc. Losing a point isn't such a big deal anymore I look around and see Mother Nature putting on an awesome display and forget my disappointment at my partner Chris for blowing the shot.
But Seriously, other than Beach Volleyball there is no other sport that participates in more beautiful settings...well maybe skiing....but I hate the cold!
Right now I'm calling all Beach Tennis Players out. The sport itself cannot grow from the men and women playing the professional tour or the administrators of Beach Tennis USA but from players like you who are looking for something new and exciting to do. For people who go to the beach to be active and not just lay around nursing a hangover but working that hangover off, that your choice of combat, your arena to do battle is in the sand pit that can swallow you whole or for you ladies that would like to use it as a cat walk to strut your stuff.
Whatever the reason, Uncle Sam needs you to be active and show off your sex appeal. Guys start doing your 100 pound curls, ladies break out that little bikini that you were saving to show your ex, because at the beach there's always a built in audience. All the people laying around need to have entertainment and nothing is more entertaining then the movement of the new sport of Beach Tennis.
Whether you're playing the singles or the doubles game it's always nice to have admirers. Not feeling like you've got that beach bod yet, don't worry there's nothing better than reaching your goal and having fun at the same time playing Beach Tennis. It definitely beats the gym! We need go getters like you are willing to form teams locally or coordinate leagues. Who find it more interesting to go on a vacation not only get some R&R but to compete at an activity that you love. Every tournament has amateur divisions and a killer players party (Can't go into details on that, you'll have to see it for yourself)
If you are reading this then you're almost there. Pick up that phone and contact BTUSA. Together we can make this an awesome sport!
Join the Movement! Olympics 2012.
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