It’s Dustin Schmaltz’s favourite day of the year and his most hectic too.
His Cambie Sports company oversees the Steveston Salmon Fest Volleyball Tournament which has earned the reputation of being among the best in the Lower Mainland for recreational players.
The single day event will feature a full-field of 60 teams doing battle in the Open and Masters (over 35) age categories.
The 4-aside co-ed tournament, which was launched in 2003, once featured as many as 78 teams but space restrictions in recent years meant smaller fields and a race to register.
“I just love the event but it’s exhausting too,” laughed Schmaltz. “It’s by far our biggest tournament of the year and teams from all over the Lower Mainland want to come here and be a part of it.”
The popularity not only stems from being part of the whole Salmon Fest environment but also Schmaltz making sure there is plenty of parity in all divisions.
The level of competition ranges from “B” right up to 3A but there can be improvising too among the typical 12 pools of play.
“I usually have a pretty good idea of the calibre of players,” added Schmaltz. “For example, if we need to create an ‘A-plus’ division for teams somewhere in between then we do that.”
The nets are set at regular height for women’s play and there is an “attack line” for men.
