Team Mizara Volleyblog: Vancouver Corona Open

I love Vancouver. There’s something magical about the nature and mountains and crispness that I feel whenever I visit. This visit was made extra special because I got to spend time with one of my close friends (and first beach partner) who is currently living in North Vancouver while she works for the COA in preparation for the 2010 Olympics.

While in Vancouver, we took an evening to coach a group of awesome beach volleyball hopefulls that my friend Lisa works with on a bi-weekly basis. I was really impressed at how quickly this group of athletes took to the new things we were teaching them. That same day, we had a practice on our own down at Kitsilano beach - the site of the tournament - and then went up to one of my favourite shopping streets, West 4th, where I was reintroduced to my favourite 'healthy cookie' that I found when my sister was living in Vancouver, and I also purchased a Billabong playing hat!

On our Friday off, Liz, Ray and I vi

sited some sites in beautiful North Vancouver. First, we were adventurous and crossed the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - it was beautiful, and unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge, it was Free!!! We then drove down to Deep Cove, which reminded me of a little town in cottage country, only with the most beautiful mountains surrounding it. Friday was one of the most oppressive days Vancouver has seen in a while - I truly felt like I was in Brazilian weather, and was happy we didn't have to play until the next day!

We had a chance to visit the beautiful mountains, the outstanding coves, the adventurous suspension bridges, to coach some awesome athletes and we also got to play on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world - Kitsilano Beach. Liz and I played the best volleyball we'd played as a team to date, with only a small falter in the semi's and bronze medal matches. Things are shaping up exactly how we want them to leading up to the 2009 National Championships to be held at Ashbridge's Bay in Toronto on Aug 28-30. So, not only did we have an outstanding life experience in the beautiful nature of British Columbia, but we also had a chance to play some of Canada's top teams all in a 5 day span. I can't wait to visit again!