Namibia’s top teams dominate at Swakop Beach Volleyball Open
The Bank Windhoek Beach Volleyball Open concluded at The Mole in Swakopmund on Sunday with two straight-set victories in the men's and women's finals.
The Bank Windhoek Beach Volleyball Open concluded at The Mole in Swakopmund on Sunday (4 May) with two straight-set victories in the men’s and women’s finals, crowning Theodor Thomas and Simeon Ndaxula, as well as Pia Lück and Rosie Hennes, as champions of this second leg of Namibia’s national beach volleyball tour.
Lück and Hennes defeated Mariam Mendos and Maggie Heita in the women’s final, while Thomas and Ndaxula edged out Jura Krafft and Jan-Eric Sack in a tightly contested men’s final.
Tournament organiser Conrad Johannes said the competition drew 40 teams—amounting to 80 players—across several divisions, including men’s, women’s, under-19 boys and girls, and a social four-a-side category.
“The level is getting better with every tournament,” Johannes said. “This is only possible through sponsorship from Bank Windhoek and other stakeholders, which really motivates the athletes.”
He said three more national beach volleyball events are planned this year, including the Winter Classic in July, the DTS Spring Open in September, and a major end-of-year tournament in December that attracts international participation.
“Last year we had 60 teams, including eight international sides,” he said.
Johannes noted that Namibian players are starting to close the gap with top African teams. “We’re getting to a point where we can start competing on the continent and not just make up the numbers. Olympic qualification is no longer out of reach—we’re knocking on the door,” he said.
Namibia’s beach volleyball talent is also attracting international attention. Earlier this year, the German under-19 national team held a training camp in Swakopmund.
“They thought it was fantastic,” Johannes said, calling The Mole an “ideal arena” for the sport.
He added that upcoming events include a regional Southern African tour and the under-21 African qualifiers for the World Championships, though limited resources remain a challenge for broader participation—especially on the women’s side.
Lück and Hennes defeated Mariam Mendos and Maggie Heita in the women’s final, while Thomas and Ndaxula edged out Jura Krafft and Jan-Eric Sack in a tightly contested men’s final.
Tournament organiser Conrad Johannes said the competition drew 40 teams—amounting to 80 players—across several divisions, including men’s, women’s, under-19 boys and girls, and a social four-a-side category.
“The level is getting better with every tournament,” Johannes said. “This is only possible through sponsorship from Bank Windhoek and other stakeholders, which really motivates the athletes.”
He said three more national beach volleyball events are planned this year, including the Winter Classic in July, the DTS Spring Open in September, and a major end-of-year tournament in December that attracts international participation.
“Last year we had 60 teams, including eight international sides,” he said.
Johannes noted that Namibian players are starting to close the gap with top African teams. “We’re getting to a point where we can start competing on the continent and not just make up the numbers. Olympic qualification is no longer out of reach—we’re knocking on the door,” he said.
Namibia’s beach volleyball talent is also attracting international attention. Earlier this year, the German under-19 national team held a training camp in Swakopmund.
“They thought it was fantastic,” Johannes said, calling The Mole an “ideal arena” for the sport.
He added that upcoming events include a regional Southern African tour and the under-21 African qualifiers for the World Championships, though limited resources remain a challenge for broader participation—especially on the women’s side.
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