The FAQ’s
Below are common questions players often ask about our tournaments.
If you have an important question that isn't covered in this section, please send us an email. We’ll try to add to the below list those questions that warrant inclusion. (We can’t answer all emails, but we do try to read as many as possible.)
To sign up, click here.
(Registration begins two weeks prior to each tourney.)
Q. My team qualified, we plan on attending the Olympics. Are there any fees involved. Q. My team qualified, buy my partner can't attend. Can I still play in the Olympics with a sub?
Junior Olympics Info
A. Yes. You'll have to pay for transportation, lodging, meals, team entry fee, etc.
A. Maybe. Substitution decsions are made by the AAU on a case by case basis. Click here to contact the AAU to have them consider your request.
Q. What happens if my team plays in two of your tourneys and qualifies twice? Can I transfer one of my bids to my friend's team?
A. No. 3 bids to the Junior Olympics will be awarded in each event. But a team may only receive 1 bid per year. If an already-qualified team (or teams) places in the top 3 in a subsequent event, the next lowest (4th place, 5th, etc.) team/s will be awarded the bid.
Tourney Categories
Q. You aren't offering a Juniors division for my age group in your next N. Ave. Beach Ball tourney (boys 18). Can I sign up my team in your mens division.
A. Absolutely. Juniors are welcome to enter our regular adult tourney divisions. And, instead of cash prizes, we'll award juniors the cash equivalent for trophies or medals.
Q. I have a 12U team. You're not offering that at your events. What should I do?
A. In the past, we haven't had much interest in the 12U division so we're no longer offering it. But if demand increases, we add it to our events.
In the meantime, you're welcome to play in the 14U division. And if you place in the top 3, your team will receive a bid to play in the 12U divsion at the Junior Olympics.
Q. Why don't you offer a Junior Olympics qualifying event for boys?
A. The 2011 Junior Olympics beach volleyball division is only offered to girls. Hopefully, that will change in the future
Q. If my daughter's team qualifies for the Jr. Olympics, does she get free transportaton and lodging to the event?
A. Unfortunately no. The bid gives the girls the right to participate. But you'll have to pay for everything, even the team entry fee. Still, it's a great honor and a fantastic experience to be a part of these games.
Tourney Refund Policy
Q. I understand that fees are non-refundable unless canceled due to rain. When do you make the decision to cancel?
A. Modern technology has enabled us to forecast pretty accurately (we use accuweather). So, if storms are predicted we'll cancel by no later than Friday, noontime. We'll send out an email notice to those that have signed up, and we'll post the decision on our web site.
Q. I just found out I can't play this Saturday, but I already paid for the tourney. I know there are no refunds, but can I transfer my entry to another team?
A. Yes, entries are transferable. But a couple of things: the new team must qualify for the same division you signed up for. So, for example, if you signed up a Girls 16 team, be sure you get a qualified Girls 16 team to replace you. Also, the new team must present the original order confirmation ticket to us on the day of the tourney - that's the name they will be registered under when they check in. So be sure to pass that email ticket on to the replacement team.
Equipment
Q. I understand you want us to supply our own volleyballs. That makes sense, it cuts costs. The problem is, how do we decide which ball to play with?
A. Most players are sophisticated enough to recognize which ball is the best. In the absence of an agreement (let's say each team wants to use their own v-ball), here’s what we suggest:
1. Agree to use a “neutral” ball, a v-ball supplied by another team in your pool.
2. If you still can’t agree, then a game of chance decides which ball to use.
Q. I haven’t played in Chicago before. I was wondering if the sand gets hot.
A. Yes, on a hot summer day, the sand will get real hot. We recommend Vincere sand socks to protect your feet.
Sign-up & Payment Issues
Q. I'm having problems signing up with my credit card; it's an American Express card.
A. Sorry, we only take Visa or Mastercard.
Q. I'd like to sign up for the August tourney but I can't find it in your shopping cart.
A. In order to avoid confusion, we open up registration 1 to 2 weeks prior to each event; one event at a time. If it's essential for you to enter, just be sure to sign up on the first day that registration opens. So far, we've never sold out on the 1st day of registration.
Q. I'd like to sign up for Girl's 14U, but that division doesn't appear in your shopping cart page.
A. If a division isn't in the shopping cart display section, that means the division is either sold out or canceled.
Misc.
Q. I don't have a teammate; can you find one for me?
A. Unfortunately, for safety and privacy reasons, we don't provide that service.
Q. Do we have to be a member of your organization to sign up?
A. You must be a member of the AAU to enter.
Please be sure to read the Tourney Details page before signing up.
Ready to sign up? If so, please click here.