Tampa Bay's Corporate SportsFest 2010

By William E. Males

It's time to get all the friends and coworkers together to start making teams to compete in Tampa Bay Area's 28th annual Team Building Blast on the Beach. But better not wait too long because it looks like they're only accepting the first 160 registered teams. Remember now, the purpose of these games is to see who can have the most fun. Winners are found on every team and in the crowd of spectators as well. This spectacular event will be held at Sirata Beach Resort in St. Petersburg.

Don't think you need to find 20 or 30 profession athletes either. Teams are being accepted as small as four men and three women, even though the average team size is about twenty members, up to 30. However, if the group exceeds 25 members they do suggest considering forming 2 teams - nothing like competing against family and friends. Not every competition will require all members. The only real requirement is that participants need to be 18 years of age or older, have plenty of team spirit and company pride.

 The format of the event will allow for members to compete in multiple events. One of the favorites is Beach Volleyball with teams of 3 men and 3 women. The games will permit unlimited substitutions allowing everyone on your team to play. Teams will play in a minimum of three games on the court right in front of designated reserve team area. The teams with the best record of the 8 - 10 of the immediate teams surrounding your court will advance to a single elimination tournament. Last team standing gets the "bragging rights" as Tampa Bay's Corporate SportsFest volleyball champions!

 My personal favorite is Beach Dodgeball. Again team size is 3 men and 3 women, or for the brave at heart, team size can be smaller. After each bout substitutes are allowed to keep the teams fresh. These tournaments will be played on an 8 court net-enclosed area as sixteen paired off teams will start simultaneously in each round. This is non-stop action as this is single elimination and only the winners will move on until at last all but one of the 160 teams have been skillfully terminated . . . and the winning team shall be declared the ultimate TERMINATOR! The ball used in this competition is soft

6" Nurf ball that is easy to hold and can be thrown hard without destroying the target . . . so get in there and give it to em!

 For many of the competitors the real excitement is the Surf n'Turf competition. Here the team size is 4 men and 3 women. With a total of eight teams lined up about 30 yards from the surf the race starts with 4 guys with your 1st girl in the inner tube who must sprint down into the surf and around a buoy in about 16 inches of water and then race back to the beach stopping at a cone. At this time the female rider gets out of the tube and takes off running ahead about 10’ and grabs a 4’ long noodle. Then she places one end on her forehead and aims the other straight up in the sky and does what has become known as the “IZZY DIZZY.”

 This is where the real fun and excitement kicks in as she quickly makes seven rotations and attempts to quickly stagger back and into the inner tube where the guys then race back to the start where the 1st female switches places with a second and the whole process is again repeated. After they complete it they all return and then one of the males and a third female race down to the surf with an inflatable kayak and paddle it out 40 yards around a buoy then back to the beach and both must then race back past the cone where they started. Here the winners are determined by a “Lane Official” who records the time which determines your teams place in the heat and the number of points they have earned. The winners of each heat then advances to the Championship race where the Grand Champions are declared.

 Other completions include the brute force game of Tug of War. Here in single elimination matches, 3 men and 2 women do the basic tug of war. For those wanting to compete in a little more skill and less brute strength there is the good ole' Corn Toss where two players male or female prove their skill by tossing a small bay of corn in hopes of landing on the target and preferably in the hole. The other team can try to knock your bag off and steal your points.

 One thing that is certain, Tampa Bay's Corporate SportsFest 2010 is going to be a blast whether you’re competing or cheering on your favorite teams. Don't wait, register now and mark you calendar.

 Registration site - https://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Register/IdentityConfirmation.aspx?e=ee5b...