Panama City Beach to host Sunshine State Games international beach competition
Special to the Outlook
For the second time in 2021, a Sunshine State Games event will make its first appearance in a Florida community when the International Beach Games are held in Panama City Beach.
The International Beach Games, which debuted in the Sunshine State Games in 2016, are scheduled for Aug. 13-15, with beach soccer, beach volleyball and highland games events, to be held at Aaron Bessant Park, Pier Park and M.B. Miller County Pier. The 2021 International Beach Games is presented in conjunction with the Visit Panama City Beach.
The International Beach Games was created to bring another element into the annual Sunshine State Games events, taking advantage of one of Florida’s top tourism attractions, its pristine Gulf of Mexico beaches, for sports competitions.
Panama City Beach, named the top 3 beach in the United States by Trip Advisor, has 27 miles of beaches.
Beach soccer will be played on Aug. 14-15 on the Gulf of Mexico beach at M.B. Miller County Pier. Beach soccer is played on a 40-yard long by 30-yard wide area with five players per team, including a goalie.
On Aug. 13, a Beach soccer officials and players clinic will be held at the M.B. Miller County Pier, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The Beach soccer location is three miles east of Pier Park, where Beach volleyball and the highland games will be played.
The seven-event highland games features a variety of throws, that include stones, a weighted burlap bag thrown with a pitchfork and tossing the caber (tree trunks). Competition will be held Aug. 14, at Aaron Bessant Park, adjacent to Pier Park and located across the street from the Gulf of Mexico.
Beach Volleyball courts will be set up at across the street from Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premier shopping and entertainment complex on Aug. 14-15.
Registration and competition information for the three sports of the International Beach Games is available at www.SunshineStateGames.com/Beach-Games. Entry fees vary by sport and the registration deadline is Aug. 7. , The games are open to athletes of all age.
The events of the Sunshine State Games International Beach Games are free and the public is encouraged to attend. Volunteer opportunities are also available for those wishing to be a part of the Sunshine State Games without competing. Visit www.sunshinestategames.com/volunteers/ for more
