Because why should you leave the island?

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So we’ve officially commenced the excitement for the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch! It’s begun, beach volleyball has returned to the Island. Can I get a whoop whoop? Now don’t all shout out at once! Actually… shout shout, let it all out – practice your whoop whooping for all your supporting set to go on in the Red Bull Beach Arena. 

Now that you’re at the Island, or probably already making your way there, we thought it best to get you acquainted with what you can expect to find when you get there (at the Island in the Beach Village). All that fun and entertainment can be a little intimidating when you’re not used to it. Like you don’t stare directly at the sun without sunglasses, nor do you embark on a journey through the woods without a map. This is your map. The ultimate guide, here to help you navigate and plan your fun in the Beach Village.

1. A1 Sky Shooter

Fancy catapulting 26m into the sky simultaneously with four other participants? Head over to the A1 Sky Shooter. Like the name, you will be shot up into the sky. Will you come back down again? We’ll leave that a little open-ended… But if you don’t want that level of uncertainty in your life and prefer staying closer to the ground because you have a family that loves you, why not try the A1 Jumper? Be one of six willing and eager participants battling it out to find out who is the best at balancing. There are loads of giveaways. Best you make a B-line or actually an A-line all the way to the A1 booth in the Beach Village.

Up, up, up and away. Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

2. Austrian Airlines Bossaball

Humans versus giant inflatables is one of everyone’s favorite pastimes. Now combine that (inflatable) with an epic new game that merges volleyball, football and gymnastics… Bossaball. Austrian Airlines is proud to present Bossaball at this year’s #ViennaMajor. If you and your teammate (aka the person who you’re taking with you to the event) have what it takes, you’d better head over to the Bossaball – honestly you can’t miss it…. Giant inflatable with trampolines… they tend to stand out against everything else.

Up and down. Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

3. Swatch Truck

The Swatch Truck never fails to disappoint. This year they’ll be back and bigger than ever. Get your limited edition #ViennaMajor Swatch watch or the latest pair of trendy sunglasses. They also offer autograph sessions with some of the beach volleyball pros, and for those times when the Red Bull Beach Arena is packed to capacity – they offer public viewing of the biggest matches.

Swatch this! Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

4. Food glorious food!

The beach village has you sorted whether you’re starving or just want a little snack to get you through the day. From Fair Trade coffee to freshly prepared Italian specialties, the who’s who of food providers will be there to make sure that you don’t go hungry in between all your walking from side-courts to the Red Bull Beach Arena and all your jumping and screaming for your teams. Your options to refuel include (drumroll please): Afro Coffee, Anker Bakery, Barilla Pasta Stand, Eat the Ball snacks, Eskimo ice-cream, and of course Zeiler Tomatoes where you are able to try and buy an assortment of different types of tomatoes.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream. Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

5. Organics by Red Bull Area

Imagine this, its 30 degrees outside, you have a little bit of time between matches, you’re wearing your beach wear because you’re attending a beach volleyball event (what else?), you want to go for a swim but don’t want to leave the island because you might miss your team kicking butt, and they just happen to be up next, what do you do. If only there were a place for me that was both swimming pool and deck bar, if only I could swim and then relax with a refreshing Ginger Ale with bergamot extract that also happens to be made of natural ingredients. You know what, stop reading and head straight over to the Organics by Red Bull Area. They have what you are looking for.  They’re also conducting personality trait tests with a twist, your personality will be linked up to a type and that ‘type’ can and will be matched to one of the Organics drinks which you will then get a voucher for – hey hey. But, there is a but, you need to be one of the first 100 people to do the test. Stop reading and start testing already. 

Cool down. Photocredit: Samo Vidic

6. Entertainment for the whole family

We’ve already mentioned Bossaball, A1 Sky Shooter and the A1 Jumper, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we’ve got going on for the whole family. No need to leave your kids at home, bring them along to the #ViennaMajor and have a whale of a time. You can catch up on all the sports action beach volleyball has to offer while simultaneously entertaining the kids – some would call that a win-win. So here’s the break down on places you can leave your kids (that’s a joke – do not leave your kids alone please) –

• Sport Stadt Wien: Micro Soccer and darts on an inflatable disc. Tip: Make sure you’re out of the way if you’re letting your little one throw darts.
• Emmi Trampoline: Who doesn’t love a trampoline? How about those artsy pics of you jumping? Tip: probably not a good idea to jump while holding your baby
• Intersport Climbing Wall: have a budding climber on your hands? Why not take them to the Intersport climbing wall. Don’t fret if you’ve never done it before, Intersport offers first-timers a safe ascent i.e. help. Tip: Always take help.
• Sport Union: Want to try your hand at surfing? (or rather your body) – But don’t live near the ocean, and before you invest in a full-on surfboard, you’d like to try it. Sport Union offer a surf simulator. Tip: try standing on one leg.

Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

7. Discover and BUY all the latest products

Of course we’ve thought of the inner shopper in you and we’ve got you covered. Discover the latest products from and not limited to:

• Steyr – check out their brand new Tractor models
• Mikasa – Get exclusive beach volleyballs along with loads of other beach volleyball goodies
• Canon – Test out and borrow some of Canon’s latest cameras; you also have the opportunity to print out some pics from your smartphone, not a bad souvenir hey?
• Beach Majors Store – Get your Beach Volleyball Major Series branded gear from players jerseys to draw-string bags, dressing like a pro has never been so easy

Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

8. Chill-out zones, Bars and Lounges

When you just need to take five. Why not head over to one of our chill-out spots or lounges and smell the roses, i.e take it easy. You have ample options to choose from:

• SEAT – they’ve literally created a beach, okay without the ocean, but still. Relax on a beach chair and get some sand in-between your toes, in the shade, which is a precious commodity on those hot summer days. Plus: They’ve got fan-tattoos (non-permanent, obvs) and a photo-booth.
• Volksbank – another awesome chill-out zone – they’ve even brought in a real helicopter. Take some pics with the helicopter? Why not? Plus: They’ve got a raffle going on – who knows what you could win?
• Ottakringer Lounge – Vienna’s favorite beer will be there with some loungers and umbrellas as well as beer directly from the tap. Best way to enjoy a beach volleyball event
• Strongbow Cider Bar – well what else?

Just two famous Austrian beach volleyball teams lounging about. Photocredit: Bernhard Horst.

9. Inform yourself

We’ve also gathered some parties ready and willing to share some knowledge and inside info. Leave the #ViennaMajor more enlightened after visiting:

• Kronen Zeitung Studio – Behind-the-scenes into the journalistic work at one of the biggest newspapers in Vienna. The Kronen Zietung Glass Studio gives visitors the chance to take a look behind-the-scenes
• Urlaubsguru – need help planning your dream holiday? You should chat to the pros, lucky for you they’ll be in the beach village ready and waiting to assist you with all your queries. And you know what – they’ve also got a few prizes up for grabs…

Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

10. Rauch

On those blazing hot days with no shade in sight, sometimes you need to cool down and you need to do it fast. Enter Rauch, they say that they put everyone on ice and they literally do! They’ve installed a -1 degree ice bath where they’re basically testing your flash freeze survival skills. Do you dare?

Brrrr. Photocredit: Bernhard Horst

11. Did someone say paartay?

So the last point’s been scored, and you’ve sorted your Beach Party Nights tickets, you’re on your way there, but it’s too early, and you need a party before the afterparty. Hello Hello Sunny Beach Club! Thank you in advance for being amazing. The Hello Sunny Beach Club will be open every evening with live DJs creating the perfect party atmosphere for that post-beach volleyball feeling.  Best thing is, you don’t have to leave the island. All the entertainment you need in one place.