Chair Volleyball Club brings seniors together

BY Betty Williams

Canyon Lake Senior Chair Volleyball Club (CLSCVC) brings seniors together for exercise and fun. CLSCVC offers adults over the age of 50 an opportunity to exercise, compete and share in camaraderie and social activities. The skill level of the members in the club ranges from novice to highly competitive.

Chair volleyball is a growing sport among seniors, clubs are popping up in many cities. The game is played similar to volleyball with the difference being that the game is played with a 20-inch beach ball and players are seated at all times during play. Players are allowed to lift one side of their body but are not permitted to rise completely off the chair. The net is five-feet instead of a standard seven-feet volleyball net.

“While sitting in a chair batting a ball around might not seem like a much of workout, it is,” said Activities Chair and former President Karen Bevans. “Players twist, bend, move their arms and legs and stand up to move to different positions throughout the game.”

CLSCVC was founded in 2008 by resident and exercise instructor Debbi Harper. The club became a POA sanctioned club in 2009. Debbi also started the Sun City Club, Canyon Lake’s rival, and wrote the guide that is used for chair volleyball around the country.

The Canyon Lake Chair Volleyball Club competes regularly against clubs in Riverside, San Jacinto, Wildomar and Menifee. They have also traveled to other cities to help start up clubs. On Aug. 29, several members taught seniors at the Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge in Wildomar how to play and start up a club.

Once a year, the club participates in the Senior Chair Volleyball Olympics, a local tournament sponsored by JPN Insurance. Canyon Lake has won the gold for the past nine years. This year, the club earned gold, silver and bronze in three divisions they played in.

CLSCVC has 78 playing members and 30 social members. Social members are wives, husbands, former players or just people who want to participate in the many social activities. April through November, club members meet for “Thirsty Thursday” at Indian Beach with they enjoy cocktails and snacks.

“We are one of the tightest knit clubs in Canyon Lake,” said Karen. “We watch out for each other and do things together on a regular basis outside of volleyball. Some of our club’s activities include an annual Christmas Sing Along and annual Lobsterfest.”

The club currently caps the number of playing members at 80. Membership is on a first come, first served basis. Annual dues are just $15 per member. “Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to come by on one of our play days and join in on a game to see if they want to join the club,” said Karen.

CLSCVC meets Tuesdays and Fridays in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge. Power play (for more competitive players) is from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; regular play is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. For general and membership information, contact Bert Barbay at 951-244-2378.