beach volleyball

[power puff girl]

i was flipping through the channels and came across a game of televised beach volleyball.

what i found really offensive was that they forced the women to wear those skimpy 2 pieces to increase the interest of horny men. that seemed to be more important than celebrating the grace and athleticism of these women. the things they were wearing were obviously very annoying and uncomfortable. one of the players kept tugging on the bottom piece. its like asking women to play in high heels.

[moJo]

what i found really offensive was that they forced the women to wear those skimpy 2 pieces to increase the interest of horny men. that seemed to be more important than celebrating the grace and athleticism of these women. the things they were wearing were obviously very annoying and uncomfortable. one of the players kept tugging on the bottom piece. its like asking women to play in high heels.
who is forcing them to wear the skimpy two-piece swimsuits?

i play volleyball, and it gets hot, especially when you're playing outdoors (and especially on hot sand with blazing hot sun). it's simply easier to move around in less clothing. i've played in a sports bra (which is pretty much the same as a swimsuit top) because it's less constricting and because of the heat. i've also played beach vball in a swimsuit before because i'm at the beach and uhm...that's what you wear at the beach. swimsuit bottoms are better than wearing underwear + shorts because of the above reasons i've already mentioned and sand gets stuck so you might as well deal with tugging at only one piece of clothing.

besides, aside from gabrielle reece who i think has since retired, none of the female players right now exactly ooze sex appeal, and none of them are particularly attractive. they don't look like the characters in the beach volleyball videogames, hehe.

[yoMAMA]

beach volleyball is gross.

and I'm a guy.

:p

[Faithless]

That's an interesting perspective.

I'll admit to flipping through the channels, only to stop at station showing women's beach volleyball. Yeah the outfits probably add to the appeal.

But they really do play well. And I watch it for a few minutes more for the athleticism. But then I continue flipping because I realize that the 2004 Texas Hold 'em championship is on again for the umpteenth time. :rolleyes:

What I don't get is all that exposure to the sun. I hear Mojo's argument about getting all hot, but the sun must be doing some damage over the course of a year or more.

[hooligan]

Actually, I heard that the regulation uniform is a two piece back from the one piece swim suits. I don't know if that's true, but that's from my understanding and talking with people.

[moJo]

http://www.usoc.org/11624_36418.htm
Misty May and Kerri Walsh, the best women's double team
WWD: Do you think the bikini comments are dying down?

May: People have realized that the players are really athletic and it's not just about the bikinis. My simple answer is that this is what is comfortable to play in.

Walsh: I think more people know what beach volleyball is about and there aren't as many comments. It's really a functional thing. You can't wear one-pieces in this sport. They just get in the way.
http://www.avp.com/newsroom/newsroomNewsDetail.jsp?id=2121
DI and JS,

I certainly don't doubt your intent here. Our "uniforms" are always a topic of debate. I can't really speak for the men and what they deem comfortable. (I don't think many of them are out there in tank tops, though).

As far as a dress code, the AVP requires that each team wear matching bathing suits. They don't have to be exact, but the colors should be close. The AVP management prefers to have us in bathing suits, but they are super lenient when it comes to bad weather.

Once you get used to it, bikinis are very comfortable to play in. It does take some research (trial and error) to find the best style and fit. I have witnessed and experienced a wardrobe malfunction with the top of a bikini. One time is all it takes to make sure it never happens again.

Thanks,
Nancy

Imagine trying to dig sand out of your chest area by way of your crotch when wearing a one-piece.

[hooligan]

Just wondering, but is it a choice?

[nola]

It seems more functional to wear the skimpy two pieces. Imagine the ability to move around with less obstruction.

[hooligan]

It seems more functional to wear the skimpy two pieces. Imagine the ability to move around with less obstruction.

I agree, I'm just wondering if anyone knows if it's regulated that it needs to be a two-piece suit, who changed it from a one-piece and what the rules were before it was changed?

[moJo]

i have no idea, but from the avp link states that they're required to wear matching swimsuits (but more if neccesary due to weather). it wasn't specified one or two-piece. *shrug* i'll ask around.

[TB4000]

It seems more functional to wear the skimpy two pieces. Imagine the ability to move around with less obstruction.
Actually, that's the same argument comic and video game creators use when asked why their women are decked out in next to nothing. Though those beach volleyball bottoms do ride up their asses quite a bit.

[Faithless]

i have no idea, but from the avp link states that they're required to wear matching swimsuits (but more if neccesary due to weather). it wasn't specified one or two-piece. *shrug* i'll ask around.
But the outfits could be matching shorts and tanktop, perhaps, too?

[moJo]

But the outfits could be matching shorts and tanktop, perhaps, too?
sure, you could, right? but it makes more sense to wear a swimsuit. if you wear shorts, you gotta wear underwear too. if you wear a tank top, you gotta wear a swimsuit top or a sports bra. getting sand trapped under two layers of clothing is really annoying. plus, with the heat from the sun and the sand, why wear extra layers?

besides, since the sport is beach volleyball, wouldn't wearing a swimsuit make sense?

(am i missing the point of your question?)

[Faithless]

sure, you could, right? but it makes more sense to wear a swimsuit. if you wear shorts, you gotta wear underwear too. if you wear a tank top, you gotta wear a swimsuit top or a sports bra. getting sand trapped under two layers of clothing is really annoying. plus, with the heat from the sun and the sand, why wear extra layers?

besides, since the sport is beach volleyball, wouldn't wearing a swimsuit make sense?

(am i missing the point of your question?)
Nope. You make perfect sense.

Maybe the problem with the issue in the first post is that people should just get used to the swimsuit outfits and not drool-over or get all "old bitty like" over the look.

Afterall, if the sport was really just to showoff girls jiggling around it would be very obvious and would be a joke.

But after you watch it and realize that these women can slam that damn ball like monsters, as well as, set and spike serve, and all that other stuff, then you're paying attention to the sport the right way.

[A.R.A.M.]

That's an interesting perspective.

I'll admit to flipping through the channels, only to stop at station showing women's beach volleyball. Yeah the outfits probably add to the appeal.

But they really do play well. And I watch it for a few minutes more for the athleticism. But then I continue flipping because I realize that the 2004 Texas Hold 'em championship is on again for the umpteenth time. :rolleyes:

What I don't get is all that exposure to the sun. I hear Mojo's argument about getting all hot, but the sun must be doing some damage over the course of a year or more.

Since you only stumbled upon the volleyball tournament during the middle of the competition, you missed the players applying sun screen at the beginning. The application of sun screen is a pre-game ritual in which the female players from both teams get together and rub each other down, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies.

However, by forcing the players into a girl on girl on girl on girl rubdown, I fear that the positive message of the importance of sun protection is overshadowed by the activity's lewdness and blatant exploitation of women. In fact, I find this pre-game ritual more offensive than the bikinis the women are forced to wear.

[Faithless]

Since you only stumbled upon the volleyball tournament during the middle of the competition, you missed the players applying sun screen at the beginning. The application of sun screen is a pre-game ritual in which the female players from both teams get together and rub each other down, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies.

However, by forcing the players into a girl on girl on girl on girl rubdown, I fear that the positive message of the importance of sun protection is overshadowed by the activity's lewdness and blatant exploitation of women. In fact, I find this pre-game ritual more offensive than the bikinis the women are forced to wear.
I guess I have missed that. I have watched it a few times. Not my favorite sport.

Are they made to do that publically?

Either way -- are we getting hung up on what appears to be oversexualizing the sport?

Shouldn't we consider these women to be smart enough to know when they're being exploited?

Or is the idea that they don't care and know it?

[moJo]

Since you only stumbled upon the volleyball tournament during the middle of the competition, you missed the players applying sun screen at the beginning. The application of sun screen is a pre-game ritual in which the female players from both teams get together and rub each other down, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies.

However, by forcing the players into a girl on girl on girl on girl rubdown, I fear that the positive message of the importance of sun protection is overshadowed by the activity's lewdness and blatant exploitation of women. In fact, I find this pre-game ritual more offensive than the bikinis the women are forced to wear.
i have never seen that at the start of a televised game. have you really? i highly doubt that opposing teams "rub each other down". they barely even talk to the other team during the match.

[hooligan]

Maybe they just need to remvoe the beach from the beach volleyball and use hard floors. What's the point of having that sand anyway? I want to see ultimate become a sport!

[TB4000]

http://www.armchairempire.com/images/Reviews/XBox/doa-xtreme-beach-volleyball/doa-xtreme-beach-volleyball-4.jpg

When you're right, you're right.

[Meki]

i was flipping through the channels and came across a game of televised beach volleyball.

what i found really offensive was that they forced the women to wear those skimpy 2 pieces to increase the interest of horny men. that seemed to be more important than celebrating the grace and athleticism of these women. the things they were wearing were obviously very annoying and uncomfortable. one of the players kept tugging on the bottom piece. its like asking women to play in high heels.

Alright, of all the sexually objectifying images we see in the media, beach volleyball is the one that concerns you? These women are not twisting around some pole. They are playing a sport and yes, just like any athlete they will be admired for their physical prowess. Would you say the same thing about any woman that wears a two piece on the beach? Do you cover every inch of your body when you go to the beach? If not then I could say you are objectifying yourself. If the women were really opposed to it then don’t you think they could challenge the APV? Anyway, would it be so wrong if they were proud of their physique? I mean, the men seem to always play with their shirts off. And although I realize that men do not suffer the same type of sexualization as women, let’s give these women some credit. They are in an industry that is dominated by men and do not fit into that typical Barbie image.

[Faithless]

Maybe they just need to remvoe the beach from the beach volleyball and use hard floors. What's the point of having that sand anyway? I want to see ultimate become a sport!
Better to land on sand
Than score
Your knees across the floor. :frown:

Some quotes on the subject.

http://www.now.org/nnt/05-97/media.html
Gabrielle Reece, ace beach volleyball player, is also included in action shots. But Reece is already a successful model, and her article discusses how sex appeal has helped market women's volleyball.

http://www.wordridden.com/article.php/20020423114835.xml/all
So I've started watching the Olympics, and I'm just wondering: why is it that, in beach volleyball, the men's "uniform" is a tank top and a big old pair of shorts, and the women's "uniform" is a little bikini? During the first women's beach volleyball match that I watched (yes, I'll watch any sport during the Olympics), the German commentator made some stupid remark about how the sport is so popular because, of course, everyone likes to watch "scantily-clad, well-tanned young women." I rolled my eyes in disgust at this but then thought, "Hey, maybe this means I'll get to see some scantily-clad, well-tanned young men when the men's beach volleyball matches start!" That wouldn't have been such a bad thing. After all, both sexes can play at this game (no pun intended).

Maybe the dudes would like to wear Speedos out there.

[nola]

Actually, that's the same argument comic and video game creators use when asked why their women are decked out in next to nothing. Though those beach volleyball bottoms do ride up their asses quite a bit.But this is a sport not a video game. Like MoJo says it aids in mobility for the purpose of sport. Why did you post a cartoon from a video game which proves nothing? If men take it that way and are watching beach volleyball for the wrong reasons that's another issue.

It's just like in gymnastics. At the Olympic level there was a ruling allowing sleeveless leotards for the utilitarian purpose of mobility and lessening obstruction. Men often watch gymnastics for pedophilic reasons because Olympic gymnasts are usually teenagers and that is their own problem. Gymnasts are serious athletes.

[TB4000]

But this is a sport not a video game. Like MoJo says it aids in mobility for the purpose of sport. Why did you post a cartoon from a video game which proves nothing? If men take it that way and are watching beach volleyball for the wrong reasons that's another issue.

It's just like in gymnastics. At the Olympic level there was a ruling allowing sleeveless leotards for the utilitarian purpose of mobility and lessening obstruction. Men often watch gymnastics for pedophilic reasons because Olympic gymnasts are usually teenagers and that is their own problem. Gymnasts are serious athletes.
I know, I know. It's practical in its own way, but what I was getting across is that people use that "mobility" reasoning for other types of entertainment as well, and it doesn't always fly.

[nola]

Beach volleyball is not entertainment. It is a serious sport and there is a big difference between volleyball and beach volleyball that has nothing to do with the players' apparel.

[Faithless]

But this is a sport not a video game. Like MoJo says it aids in mobility for the purpose of sport. Why did you post a cartoon from a video game which proves nothing? If men take it that way and are watching beach volleyball for the wrong reasons that's another issue.

It's just like in gymnastics. At the Olympic level there was a ruling allowing sleeveless leotards for the utilitarian purpose of mobility and lessening obstruction. Men often watch gymnastics for pedophilic reasons because Olympic gymnasts are usually teenagers and that is their own problem. Gymnasts are serious athletes.
Come to think of it, there are many sports where women where skimpy outfits of some sort. And the male "fans" probably lear at them too. Tennis with the short skirts. Skating with the short skirts (and the high leg kicks). Etc.

You just hope that the great majority of male fans are into the sport and not fanticising over the women. :rolleyes:

[moJo]

http://www.wordridden.com/article.php/20020423114835.xml/all
So I've started watching the Olympics, and I'm just wondering: why is it that, in beach volleyball, the men's "uniform" is a tank top and a big old pair of shorts, and the women's "uniform" is a little bikini? During the first women's beach volleyball match that I watched (yes, I'll watch any sport during the Olympics), the German commentator made some stupid remark about how the sport is so popular because, of course, everyone likes to watch "scantily-clad, well-tanned young women." I rolled my eyes in disgust at this but then thought, "Hey, maybe this means I'll get to see some scantily-clad, well-tanned young men when the men's beach volleyball matches start!" That wouldn't have been such a bad thing. After all, both sexes can play at this game (no pun intended).

Maybe the dudes would like to wear Speedos out there.
at least on the AVP tour (as in, during pro beach season), the guys are shirtless. no tank tops. during the olympics, i can't remember if they were required to wear tank tops (but it sounds like they were?), but i DO remember there was a wide range in the type of shorts that the men wore. everything from the basic board shorts (what the americans usually wear) to shorter tight spandex (non-americans, of course), i believe. *cringe*

[Faithless]

at least on the AVP tour (as in, during pro beach season), the guys are shirtless. no tank tops. during the olympics, i can't remember if they were required to wear tank tops (but it sounds like they were?), but i DO remember there was a wide range in the type of shorts that the men wore. everything from the basic board shorts (what the americans usually wear) to shorter tight spandex (non-americans, of course), i believe. *cringe*
It's funny that you should write that -- the *cringe* part :biggrin: -- I would think that the spandex would allow more mobility.

[moJo]

It's funny that you should write that -- the *cringe* part :biggrin: -- I would think that the spandex would allow more mobility.
touche!

i can't help it. i'm not used to spandex on men. :redface:

[deez nuts]

don't forget female figure skating with the womyn skating around in short skirts.

why not put the womyn in like full body speed skating spandex outfit. i would imagine not only will this provide more mobility; but, it would also keep the muscles warm and shields the body better from impact if the woman ever falls on the ice.

[haplesshobo]

besides, aside from gabrielle reece who i think has since retired, none of the female players right now exactly ooze sex appeal, and none of them are particularly attractive. they don't look like the characters in the beach volleyball videogames, hehe.

I don't know, there seems to be lots of sexy female volleyball players with their long legs and lean physique with flat stomachs. I always thought Kerri Walsh was cute. And, I think Rachel Walcholder looks great right now. I don't think most guys are going to complain about the recent calendar, where the women dressed in skimpy bathing suits worthy of SI swimsuit edition.

A lot of the women came from indoor volleyball, so its not like they were already in bikinis and started playing. I don't see why they need to wear a tiny bikini bottom, and not a bikini that covers their butt more. Or, why they couldn't wear something like a boxer brief. After all, the guys wear pretty long trunks that falls down to their knees so I don't see why wearing shorts would affect the mobility.

As a sensitive guy concerned about these women, I think they should start wearing thongs. There would be less sand, more mobility, and less likely to have to constantly adjust their bikinis so they could concentrate on the game more.

As to why the female volleyball players have no problem with wearing what they wear, I'd say that they would be foolish to bite the hand that feeds it. They're going to support anything that increases the popularity, brings in more sponsors, and increases the prize money. You look at it, and there's not a lot of money in it right now. Most of them have to hold down other jobs to make ends meet. Other than Walsh/ May, who else is making good money from it esp. when Walsh/May have been dominating the sport. You have to win the tournament to get prize money. And, even that's limited. At the AVP tournament I went to, the prize money was like around 20 grand split among the two players.

Somebody made the comment that this is a sport, not entertainment. After seeing it live, I have to disagree that entertainment isn't a big influence. They have a live band playing inbetween games. Plus, they have these pole dancers without the pole who come out and shake their stuff during the game. Its ironic, but the volleyball players' clothes were more revealing than these dancers.

I would recommend everybody to check it out. The players are nice and willing to sign signatures afterwards. I got Walsh and her fiance's signature. The line wasn't even that bad. The line to get a signed photo of the Playboy Playmates at this event was much longer.

[moJo]

^i agree that it's not just a sport. sports and entertainment do go hand in hand. i think in recent years, the AVP has been trying to increase in popularity so they have shows during breaks and try to get the crowds involved. it's like any other sport to me, in that respect.

the bikinis to me look no different than the kind that surfers and sunbathers wear. and if you're gonna sport a bikini, only the lowcut ones are socially acceptable unless you're over 40. just like how long shorts are socially acceptable for guys - not just in beach volleyball but in basketball (unless you were john stockton!), surfing, etc...

kerri walsh? not cute.
http://www.usoc.org/walsh.jpg

wacholder, yeah she's kind of cute, but not especially spectacular, know what i mean? http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/hot_rachel_wacholder.jpg

i don't think volleyball players have the most attractive physiques compared to hollywood celebs or models - BUT it doesn't matter because they have the physique they need to play their sport - lean muscles where its necessary but some of them have guts and bellies too (guys and gals).

[haplesshobo]

yeah, that's a poor picture of keri walsh. she might not be considered a classic beauty, but i still find her cute. i guess i just like that lean volleyball physique, which walsh definitely has. walsh looks best in a bikini, which highlights her long legs.

its kind of hard to really judge rachel walcholder, since i couldn't find any picture of her without her sunglasses on. that might make a difference. but, from what i've seen, i would gladly have stayed for detention if she was my teacher: http://www.sports-wired.com/women/Rachel_Wacholder.html

i guess i'm just more partial to women who kick ass at something. for me, that will take a kind of cute woman to spectactular looking. of course, she needs to be cute to start off with.

but, i didn't like walcholder partner, young's physique. it started to cross the line from a fit and healthy body to a bodybuilders physique with her 12 stomach muscles.

did you see the game where walcholder-young pretty much had their way with walsh-mays? i was surprised to find out that walcholder has struggled through the circuit for so many years when she played brillantly in those two games. it would definitely take the avp to the next level if a team stepped up to consistently challenge walsh-mays. sort of like martina-chris evertt in tennis did.

but, i wonder if the women players will always struggle with the jiggle factor. look at it from a guy's perspective.

you go to the tournament to watch beach volleyball. but, before you go in, you stop by the playboy booth where you get a photograph and signed autograph of a couple of playmates. as you enter the stands, there are some attractive women in lowcut tops handing out free stuff from playboy. you get a seat, but before it begins, out comes out the avp dancers, 5 really attractive women in skimpy clothing who start to shake their stuff to pump up the crowd. you're all excited, and now the game starts with some young women wearing things even shorter and more revealing than the dancers.

guys are stupid, and we have trobule multitasking. you've set up all these things that were obviously designed for maximum sexiness, and to pretty much get the guys excited. but, once the game starts, we're supposed to suddenly stop and not act in response to all the buttons you've pushed.

[power puff girl]

it's like any other sport to me, in that respect.

do other sports force its male athletes to wear as little as possible?


the bikinis to me look no different than the kind that surfers and sunbathers wear. and if you're gonna sport a bikini, only the lowcut ones are socially acceptable unless you're over 40. just like how long shorts are socially acceptable for guys - not just in beach volleyball but in basketball (unless you were john stockton!), surfing, etc...


this is the hypocricy i'm talking about. the men are allowed to wear long shorts, while the women must parade in front of a leering crowd. and, why are the lowcut ones more socially acceptable? who determined what was socially acceptable?

i'm not surprised that this topic deevolved into a 'who's the cutest in a bikini' thread.

[Faithless]

do other sports force its male athletes to wear as little as possible?
Olympic swimming, probably. Just a small Speedo.

[nola]

i'm not surprised that this topic deevolved into a 'who's the cutest in a bikini' thread.me neither.

[Faithless]

I know that ballet is performance art, rather than a sport, although there is a lot of athleticism, but --

Are we not taught to ignore the male ballet dancer's rather obvious bulgy?

[nola]

The difference is that men in Speedos and ballet tights are considered "gross" by the opposite sex.

[Grasshopper]

http://www.usavolleyball.org/media/images/rwkw731.jpg

Rachel Walcholder and Kerri Walsh

http://members.cox.net/kendelgado/HBSunday2SPF/PICT0072.jpg

^^ I for one am outraged by the patriarchal sexism that permeates the sport of beach volleyball like a cancer!! :tongue:

beach volleyball is gross.

and I'm a guy.

:p
Yeah, but you're a gay guy! :biggrin:

Not that there's anything wrong with that. - Seinfeld

[Faithless]

The difference is that men in Speedos and ballet tights are considered "gross" by the opposite sex.
Would it have been better to say that the opposite sex doesn't pay attention to things like that?

[Tao]

Would it have been better to say that the opposite sex doesn't pay attention to things like that?
i personally think power puff girl just wants to see men in speedos.

[moJo]

do other sports force its male athletes to wear as little as possible?
they play at the beach.


this is the hypocricy i'm talking about. the men are allowed to wear long shorts, while the women must parade in front of a leering crowd. and, why are the lowcut ones more socially acceptable? who determined what was socially acceptable?

i'm not surprised that this topic deevolved into a 'who's the cutest in a bikini' thread.
men wear lowcut shorts too. these days you can practically see a guy's pubes from how low their shorts are. lowcut pants/bottoms has been the style for men AND women for the past few years. although higher-waisted pants are looking for a comeback soon, it hasn't hit the beach yet.

[A.R.A.M.]

PPG is right. No matter how much we rationalize it, women in bikinis will alway be seen as sex objects rather than the powerful, graceful athletes they truly are. It is time to put an end to male leering and drooling on the sidelines of the beach volleyball court. I believe the burka is the solution. Not only will burkas force men to focus on the women's athleticism, but it will also protect against the sun. But alas, such is the deep rooted sexism of the sport's organizers, and undoubtedly the advertisers, that women will not be allowed to cover themselves and will have to continue to prance around nearly naked for the enjoyment of men and lesbians.

Women modelling next season's female beach volleyball uniform:
http://mirandakennedy.com/burka-1.jpg

[Faithless]

Burka in the hot sun: :biggrin:

First one to five, anyone? :rolleyes:

[haplesshobo]

Olympic swimming, probably. Just a small Speedo.

Where's the outrage over that double standard? Men have to wear these tiny speedos for diving and swimming. But, the women get to wear these one piece bathing suits that pretty much covers them up. That would be another thing on the list of female privilges I would have added if it wasn't locked.

wacholder, yeah she's kind of cute, but not especially spectacular, know what i mean?

yeah, i know what you're talking about. i found a picture without her sunglasses on, and her face isn't as cute as her body. i heard that when she was struggling on the circuit, she made more money doing commercials than in earnings.
but, walsh looks cute in their calendar:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-11265232001545_1857_0

too bad, walcholder and youngs lost at manhattan beach. they won the first game, and could have won the second one as well.
they had game point, but then youngs cost them a point with her serve that hit the net. and, from there, walsh and mays had their comeback, and pretty much dominated the third game.

walcholder and youngs are a legitimate challenge, but they were clearly outmatched in the third game. last week, walcholder pretty much played a perfect game and her team was hitting all cylinders. haven't followed walcholder who the real player is- the one i saw last week or the one i saw this week.

[yoMAMA]

beach volleyball sucks.

end of story.

:p

[hooligan]

If I wanted entertainment, I'd watch professional wrestling.

[haplesshobo]

Walcholder-Youngs just split up. It appears that they had different personalities, and they were butting heads, even during matches where they would scream at each other.

I saw them play Walsh-Mays again in a final this year, and Walsh-Mays had definitely improved and outdistanced themselves from Walcholder-Young. Walsh and Mays used the losses last year to spur them on to get better, just as the gap between them and the rest of the tournament was finally starting to close. Watching those two teams play, it was very obvious who the best team was.

Still, Walcholder-Youngs had still been doing good, probably the second best team. Too bad that those two quit as there's nobody else to really challenge Walsh-Mays on a consistent basis and form a rivalry.

[Powerful T]

Power Puff Girl's threads all seem to follow a certain formula, don't they...