For its fifth edition, organized as always on the beach of Les Sables d’Or (from Friday August 4th to Sunday August 6th), the Open Beach-Volleyball d’Anglet hit hard by not giving any plastic glass to the whole of the 104 participants. To stay hydrated during the competition, the beach volleyball players were each obliged to bring their own water bottle. “There are enough water points on the beach to fill them. This is what we said to the federation which did not agree, at first, ”says Laure De Swetschin.
Reusable jerseys
In the past, other actions in favor of the environment had already been implemented by the Anglet Beach Basket association. In 2021, the organizers had, for example, ordered a batch of 400 jerseys and bras to equip all participants with, as the idea behind the head, that they be reused in future editions. It’s done, confirms the treasurer of the association: “At the beginning, the beach volleyball players had a little trouble getting the reflex to give us back the jerseys. But a bit like for ecocups, it ended up becoming more commonplace. »
The bras worn by the beach volleyball players are provided by the organization.
Nicolas Mollo/SOUTHWEST
Spectators are also concerned about climate issues. Every day, nearly 5,000 people come to watch the drop shots and other smashes of the best beach volleyball players in the country. That’s as many people needing to be informed about climate issues. In this sense, Surfrider and Water Family stands were set up around the Sables d’Or beach. Through play, the objective is to raise awareness among young and old. “That’s a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ workshop. We teach those who want to make their own lip balm,” says Mélanie d’Act! with Surfrider. Over the weekend, more than 300 people tried it.
More work
Not far away, the success is less obvious for Nicolas from the Water Family and his game on water protection: “Saturday, about thirty people came to play. But this Sunday, and I don’t really know how to explain it, I only saw about ten. It’s a pity that many don’t dare to come and see me. Sign that the work in terms of awareness is far from over.
The palmarès of the Open Beach-Volley d’Anglet 2023
Nicolas Salmon and Nicolas De Swetschin won the men’s tournament. In a superb final, they defeated the pair Othmane Rosane and Timothée Platre. In the women’s tournament, victory went to the twins Naty and Celia Molinos. The English pair Cléa Schmitter and Léa Lucily take the silver medal.
In blue, the Nicolas Salmon – Nicolas De Swetschin pair had to draw on their reserves to win the 2023 Anglet Open Beach-Volleyball men’s tournament.
Nicolas Mollo/SOUTHWEST
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