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Life as a beach volleyball proby Denise Johns - GB beach volleyball (U9593281) 06 September 2007   I play professional beach volleyball around the world on the FIVB Tour hoping to represent Britain at the Olympics - Beijing or London. Beach volleyball is a sport the rest of the world not only respects, but fully supportsDenise Johns I used to hate playing in a bikini and felt uneasy exposing myself, but that was just youthful insecurity. I wondered how I could lose to girls in skimpy bikinis. You just can’t judge a book by its cover. After years of training and competing, I've realized playing in a swimsuit is much more practical, with the exception of cold weather. Why doesn’t anybody talk about tennis players in mini-skirts, or the sports bikini worn in athletics? For anybody not taking us seriously as athletes here is some of my sporting history to help support my case! I was a 400m/800m relay runner in Ohio, I held seven swimming records and competed in football, baseball, and gymnastics, plus I got a rowing scholarship at college. I was competing in beach volleyball aged 19 and within five years was playing on the AVP Tour in California. And this was in a country where, arguably, the most-played women's sport is volleyball. Out of all these sports, I find beach volleyball to be the best combination of mental stimulation and physical challenge with a mix of individual and team sportsmanship. So come on everybody – beach volleyball is a sport the rest of the world not only respects, but fully supports. Don't let the media sway you from the purity of truth. Thanks for reading. If you want to know more about the sport, AVP Tour or my life in California then add your comments below. Or maybe you’re battling in a sport with no funds? There are further details about my career on my website. More from me soon. Latest 10 commentsRead members' comments or add your own
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aeroMikeo (U9643712) posted Sep 11, 2007 Hi Denise, I watched you play very recently and I must say that you had a much stronger partnership with Monique Oliver. I also had the privalage to watch you and Monique in Argentina and I feel you played as a stronger unit with her. I have followed the tour around a while and it seams that us old pro's all have the same view. Sorry Lucy but as a Brit wanting to see us win something Monique was the stronger player for Denise.
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U9661301
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invincibleMelBerry (U8837004) posted Sep 14, 2007 Good for you Denise. I worked in the world of International Beach Volleyball for many years and know the mental and physical demands that you go through as a player in the qualification rounds. Stick with it as beach will only get bigger and better over the next 4 years.
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U9538121 posted Sep 16, 2007 i have coached 3 volleyball sides in japan.now there technique is far superior to any other country.
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supabillybremner (U9711300) posted Sep 19, 2007 Hi Denise -
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Born_Again (U8933424)
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CAPTAINJASP (U9861737) posted Oct 2, 2007 HI DENISE, I HAVE JUST STARTED TO FOLLOW THE SPORT, I THOUGHT AS THE REST DO, LADIES IN BIKINIS JUST JUMPING AROUND BUT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE A TOUGH SPORT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK STARS IN THE MAKING.
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mikedib87 (U9891463) posted Oct 4, 2007 Great article. We need to see more of Beach volleyball in this country, and we need to see more of volleyball as whole. Its on its way up, thanks to the work of Denise and others, but you are right in highlighting why many people watch the sport. I have to say, a lot of people won't shake the ideas behind their detrimental comments until they try the sport themselves. The stamina and fitness required before you can even begin to look at increasing your skill level, is immense.
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TopGear101 (U7866969) posted Oct 10, 2007 ignore the 'banter' from the other people, not many people can say they represent their country and have the oppurtunity to play at an olympics. Its a great honour and i wish you all the best for 2012, do us all proud!
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BeachInc (U11172727) posted Mar 2, 2008 Hi Denise, Its great to see the BBC adding you to the debate about sport and also to see that people are commenting on the sport rather than the who ha! that can be the British Press. Sorry to enter into the debate so long after it started...with reference to aero mikes comments, having played with both Monique Oliver and Lucy Boulton, I know who will eventually be the better player and thats Lucy, anyone who will be 40+ going into 2012 doesnthave a shot at the podium. There is quality reasoning behind Lucy playing with Denise in the run up to 2012. What I do think, that what was the 'Rocket up your backside Monique Oliver' brings to the court is missing. There was no feistier competitor than her, but to play with her was also a hard experience. Sorry to say but Lucy and Monique would have made a better team due to the likelyhood of on court "I'll show you how good I am" and "dont give me any of that crap" which would have come from both of them. I do think Denise and Lucy are too nice to each other and that any good beach volleyball team has to have its falling out even for only a brief period to challenge themselves. I am looking forward to the new season, Matt G now has had them under his wing and its his team which is playing the 2008 season, no excuses. Its time to start showing the FIVB that Lucy Boulton is back and those Rookie of the year votes in 2006 and Fastest Server in Thailand 2006, weren't a flash in pan but a sign of things to come. Go for it girls the UK are with you all the way.Denise Austin. Comment on this article
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