Sand volleyball’s the perfect summer sport.

But playing on a bad volleyball court can be painful. What problems are caused by using the wrong sand?

Cuts & Scrapes: Ouch! Sand containing small stones can slice players’ knees and scratch their feet. Sand that is too angular can feel abrasive, like sandpaper. Make sure your sand is screened to be free of gravel-sized particles. Also avoid sand with highly angular particle shape.

Puddles: If your court has puddles, your players aren’t playing. Find out the water infiltration rate of your sand. This will tell you how fast rainwater will drain through the sand to keep the playing surface dry. Install underdrainage below the sand if your budget allows.

Dust: Nobody wants to play in a dust bowl. Dust stings players’ eyes and makes fans miserable. Minimize dust by choosing a washed sand.  Washing cleans the dust-sized particles out of the sand.

Hardpan: Some sands compact too hard. Hard surfaces are dangerous for players who like to dive and dig. Often, the culprit is a dirty, unwashed sand. Do not use sands which contain silt or clay, because they can pack hard, like concrete.

Neglected Courts: Even the best-built court can become dangerous if it’s not maintained regularly. Remove debris and rake the sand every week to keep the surface safe, and playable.

For more information about volleyball court sand selection, please contact Waupaca Sand & Solutions.