Beach wrestling to make debut on coast
By Christopher Arns, Sports Writer
Wayne Van Burger is used to the musty smell of a high school gym, the sticky feel of a sweaty mat and all the familiar sights and sounds of high school wrestling.
But soon the former Marshfield head wrestling coach will move to a slightly different venue – one with a bit more sand.
On May 14, Van Burger will host the first-ever Oregon Beach Wrestling Championships, at Bullards Beach. The tournament, sanctioned by USA Wrestling, is also the first of its kind in the United States.
The sport was approved last year by FILA, the worldwide wrestling governing body, and added as an Olympic sport.
Already, the sport is causing buzz among wrestlers who think the move could boost their sport’s profile. Marshfield wrestler Andrew Dewater was blown away when Van Burger unveiled plans for beach wrestling.
“It’s going to be more exciting than regular wrestling, than collegiate and Greco-Roman, “said Dewater.
Van Burger said the idea is similar to volleyball officials’ decision to move their sport to the sand. Since beach volleyball’s inclusion as an Olympic sport, the sport has gained newfound popularity.
“I don’t know if beach wrestling is going to reach that type of status, “said Van Burger, the newly-named Oregon director of beach wrestling. “What we want to do is get our sport as popular as it can be. If beach wrestling is one of those things, that’s what we need to do.”
Plus, it could give the sport more exposure in places not typically known as wrestling powerhouses, especially Third World countries where wrestling equipment is a luxury.
“They can’t afford mats and things in those countries, especially Africa, “said Van Burger, “but they have various forms of wrestling, and as I’ve done more reading, found they do it on dirt or sand or whatever is available.”
One of the twists is who can compete. Beach wrestling will be open to both men and women – something Van Burger knows might raise a few eyebrows.
Of course, the fact entrants will compete in swimsuits – trunks for men, one-piece or two-piece for women – might also be causing skepticism.
“Some people might get the image, the girls in the wet T-shirts on the beach, “said Dewater, who said he’ll compete in the beach tournament. “(But) I’ve known a lot of girls wrestlers in the time I’ve spent in the sport. I understand that aspect of it.”
Said Van Burger: “It’s just another way to highlight the sport and try to gain more interest and be a little different.”
A cross between sumo and freestyle, beach wrestling will have two weight classes, said Van Burger: Big and not so big. Event organizers will determine the cutoff by finding the mean weight of all the entrants.
“If everybody there weighs 140 to 300 pounds, you’ll find whatever is your medium, “said the coach.
Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. or competitors can pre-register the week before. The tournament costs $20 – entrants without a USA Wrestling membership must buy a $10 membership card to compete, plus a $10 entry fee.
The tournament is open to three different age groups: kids (10-14), high school (14-18), and senior (adult). Trophies will be given to the top four wrestlers in each division, with a cash prize awarded in the senior division.
Those seeking more information can call Van Burger at 396-4835.
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