VOLLEYBALL

The tournament is billed as an adult competition, but players 14 and up are allowed to take part, he added.

Cash prizes will awarded to the first- and secondplace winners in amounts dependent on the number of teams that sign up.

The parks and recreation department has organized the Late Night Spike Night Sand Volleyball Tournament for many years, Zack said. At one time the event took place next to the Colorado River at what is today Gateway Park. Later it was moved to Kennedy Park’s sand courts, a venue that simulates a beach — even if waves aren’t rolling in from the ocean anywhere nearby.

Among the regular participants in the tourney is Dominic Castaneda, who is part of a team with his siblings.

“I play a lot,” he said. “We go almost every other night to the sand courts, and (the city) started promoting it, so we went.”

The temperatures can still be high when the games begin, he conceded, but not so high as to discourage avid volleyballers — especially if the event includes a cookout.

“It gets hot, but it’s really cool,” said Castaneda. “They cook hot dogs.”

The tournament takes place during what is National Parks and Recreation Month, an observance that highlights the value of outdoor recreational facilities in the community and the importance of physical activity to health.

Zack says he’s noticed a recent uptick in interest in the Late Night Spike tourney.

“Last year there were 15 teams, up from 10 the year before.”

Castaneda says the tournament offers something for everyone.

“It’s all ages” who complete, he said. “There are some teenagers, teen-age boys and teen-age girls, but there are also adults. It’s a wide variety,” he said.

Castaneda urges Yumans to form teams for the tournament.

“It’s something to do in the summer, something to do in Yuma, and it’s pretty fun. It’s pretty late at night, but there are prizes, and it’s cool.”