Beach handball reached Florida shores as Redington Shores hosted national team athletes for a rigorous training camp and tournament from November 6 to 8.
The event allowed athletes of all skill levels to train alongside national team staff and players as the organization eyes an eventual invitation to the Olympic Games. Lyndon Suvanto took over as the U.S. women’s head coach in summer 2025 and lives nearby in Lutz, according to the Tampa Bay Reporter.
Suvanto worked with the St. Pete Parakeets Beach Handball Club to organize the gathering. Taylee King-Tellechea, a Team USA member, co-founded the local club.
“When I started taking over as the U.S. women’s head coach, it was, historically, very based in California,” Suvanto told the Tampa Bay Reporter. “One of my goals was to kind of open up across the country as much as we could. Hosting here in Florida, especially at this time of the year, made a ton of sense.”
Expanding East Coast Access
Seventeen athletes participated in the three-day Florida camp. Most of the prospects flew into Tampa Bay from places including New York, Texas, Georgia, and California.
Affordable flights made Florida an accessible destination for players who often struggle to reach Los Angeles. The men’s team currently trains on the West Coast.
“For some of them, it was their first time ever seeing the sport, much less playing it,” Suvanto said. “And with how we progressed from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon after the tournament ended, you can see the improvement, potential, all over the place.”
Rules of Beach Handball
Beach handball differs substantially from indoor handball. The indoor variant features six-on-six play, two nets, and heavy physical contact.
The beach version utilizes a four-on-three format on a smaller court. “So the defense is always at a disadvantage,” Suvanto explained.
The scoring structure emphasizes athleticism and style. Players earn two points instead of one by completing an aerial alley-oop or executing a 360-degree spinning shot in the sand.
Transitioning From Other Sports
The dynamic format attracts athletes from various athletic backgrounds. The Redington Shores camp welcomed a former professional basketball player, collegiate soccer and beach volleyball players, and A.J. Andrews, a current MLB Network personality and former professional softball player.
“With indoor, it’s a lot of physical strength and size,” Suvanto said. “With beach, it’s a lot more agility. It’s finesse; it’s the ability to get up in the air and float.”
Targeting the 2032 Brisbane Games
Team USA is targeting the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. Beach handball missed inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Global momentum for the sport is growing. Organizers featured beach handball in a high-profile showcase near the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The U.S. women’s national team secured gold at the North America and Caribbean Beach Handball Championship in St. Kitts and Nevis in April. That victory earned the squad a spot at the summer World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
Building a Redington Shores Hub
The national team is transitioning as older players step away and younger prospects join the roster. The sport operates primarily as a pay-to-play discipline with virtually no institutional funding.
Local sponsorships helped offset costs for the Redington Shores camp. Suvanto wants to establish a permanent niche sport hub in the coastal town.
The St. Pete Parakeets practice in Redington Shores every Sunday. National team coaches frequently attend these sessions, offering an open pathway for interested local residents.
“I’m big into trying something new,” Suvanto said. “I’ve discovered so many things that I’m now passionate about because I stepped out of that comfort zone. I would say if you have any interest, if you want to see what it looks like, just come out to one Parakeets practice.”
Worth a look