Playa del Carmen to Host International Beach Volleyball Camp and Tournament with Olympic Athlete

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The Playa del Carmen government has announced a beach volleyball camp, discussion panel, and international tournament scheduled for February 5–8, featuring Dutch Olympic athlete Stefan Boermans. The event aims to strengthen community ties, promote sports culture, and provide youth with training experiences alongside high-performance athletes.

Mayor Estefanía Mercado’s administration organized the activities, with Councilman Saúl Barbosa Heredia leading the official presentation on her behalf. He was joined by Eligio Alcántara Solís, sports director of the Playa del Carmen Sports Institute; Gilmer Pérez, sales manager at BYD agency; Mauricio Rosales Barbosa, president of the Playa Jaguar Volleyball Club and event organizer; and Fernando Rodríguez Araujo, sports coordinator at the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo’s Playa del Carmen campus.

The special guest will be Boermans, who placed fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, won gold at the Brasilia World Beach Volleyball Tour, and earned silver at the 2021 European Championship. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in international beach volleyball.

Alcántara Solís, representing institute head Alberto López, stated that such activities enhance synergy between authorities, clubs, and elite athletes while promoting sports discipline and comprehensive training for local youth.

Boermans expressed enthusiasm about sharing his experience with new generations, inspiring young athletes, and conveying not only technical knowledge but also personal and professional values. He was accompanied by translator Mia Bosniak from Slovenia.

The camp and sports clinic for youth and adults will begin on Thursday, February 5, at the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo’s Playa del Carmen campus auditorium, continuing through Friday. The beach volleyball tournament will follow on Saturday and Sunday at Playa Fundadores, featuring open categories with 16 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams from Playa del Carmen, other municipalities in Quintana Roo, and various locations across Mexico, North America, and Europe.

Access to observe training and beach activities will be free, allowing the community to see the preparation and work of a professional high-performance athlete up close.

Rosales Barbosa noted that this marks the first time Playa del Carmen has hosted an active professional player for direct training, enabling local athletes to train under international standards. Participants will include youth who represented the municipality in past state competitions, as well as athletes from Cancún, Cozumel, Chetumal, Ciudad del Carmen, and other countries.

Municipal authorities reiterated that beach volleyball is a growing discipline in Playa del Carmen, supported by its promotion in schools, leagues, and tournaments, along with the destination’s privileged natural conditions.