Club Med Insider

A birthday to remember

Coach Al-B with Larry, Barb and Mario at the triples tournament

Although this took place in 1998, it seems like just yesterday. I was at my third Club Med Volleyball Vacation. When I first started going on these trips, I had never played doubles volleyball before. I used to think the court was way too big for just two people. After going to many clinics that Al-B Hannemann and the other AVP pro-beach volleyball players run, I guess I learned a thing or two. My birthday happened to fall during this vacation week and it is a birthday I will never forget. People who were there still comment on it to this day.

At the beginning of the week, my friends Mario, Larry and I entered a triples tournament. We ended up playing in the finals at night in front of the entire Club Med on the hard court. Al-B coached us from the sidelines and the crowd cheered us on as we were the underdog team. That was my first experience playing in front of a big crowd. Little did I know at that time that I would be doing it many more times that week.

Next, I entered the women’s doubles tournament with Liz and won that as well. That meant, once again playing in front of the club against the two women pros.

As a birthday surprise, my friends arranged for me to play with Al-B against AVP pro Jennifer Meredith and my friend Mario. Once again, the crowd cheered us on as we played our match. You would think I would be used to being in the spot light and playing in front of the crowd, but it was still nerve wracking, yet so much fun. I think Mario thought it was his birthday, too, because he got to be in the spotlight as well and play with his favorite pro Jennifer.

The final night of the trip was my birthday, and a friend of mine leant me a festive little dress to wear. Everyone from the Volleyball Vacation group sat in the same section of the dining hall and celebrated with me once again. After dinner at the awards ceremony, I remember getting up on stage many times to collect all of my medals and prizes that I won from that unbelievable volleyball week.

I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday celebration. I’ve been to many Volleyball Vacations at various Club Meds since then and although it doesn’t always fall on my birthday, the vacations are always so much fun. Al-B and his crew run a great vacation. He invites different pros to each vacation and the last Volleyball Vacation I went on I was able to play with 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists Kerri Walsh and Phil Dahlhausser.

Although I go for the volleyball, you can also take advantage of all the other activities Club Med has to offer. You can go sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swing on the trapeze, do yoga on the beach, get a massage, relax by the pool… the list goes on. There’s something for everyone. And I’ve always met new friends that I’ve kept in touch with over the years.

Whether it’s your birthday or not, I would definitely recommend it!