It’s 100 degrees outside and I’m severely dehydrated from “working” the previous nights’ Beer Week events. What better way to recover than with a raucous beach volleyball tournament? Big League Dreams thought so, opening its sand volleyball courts for a series of 2 vs. 2, 4 vs. 4, and 6 vs. 6 beach volleyball tournaments. Beer was provided by Fall River, Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, Wild Card and Hop Valley, and music by Redding’s DJ Kaos.

Despite a smaller turnout (6-8 teams of 2-6 players), the games were still competitive with smaller teams holding their own against larger teams, and thanks in part to said small turnout, the atmosphere was more about having fun than winning it all. DJ Kaos and the beer truck also played a part in the fun atmosphere. I almost missed a serve or two because I was busting a move on the court - always the sign of a proper DJ.

It turns out, a little physical activity and friendly competition is just what the doctor ordered. Being outside and active is a great contrast to the primarily interior venues, and hey:  running around in the sun, meeting new friends, poaching a hit from a teammate who clearly has a better angle, all of these are a great remedy to overdoing it during Redding Beer Week.

Speaking of doctors, we had a solid indicator of a proper beer week - a mostly benign injury (it just wouldn’t be Trek Tech without blood). One of the players broke a toe by whacking his foot into the concrete curb surrounding the sand pit while chasing an errant ball. A little icepack, a little beer, and all was right with the world again. Way to commit, man. Swift recoveries.