Beach volleyball gained a lot of new fans as the Tenerife Champions Cup reached an exciting climax at Siam Park today. Germany proved too powerful for Spains number one team and beat then in 2 sets 21-14 and 21-12 to lift the winners trophy and 10,000 euros in prize money.

Yesterdays group stages saw Great Britain lose their games against Poland and Russia as Poland and Spain 1 went through from one group and Germany and France from the other. The first semi final brought together Spain and France, last years beaten finalists at Fañabe. Spains Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa looked good taking the first set 21-17 but French brothers Kevin and Andy Ces hit back by winning the second set 21-19. That brought the deciding set and more thrilling action, Spain edged it 15-11.

The second semi was again a close contest, Grzegorz Fijalek and Mariusz Prudel held the upper hand winning the first set 21-19 but Germanys Jonas Reckermann and Misha Urbatzka took control in the second set, easing to a 21-11 win. The deciding set swung back and forth before Germany clinched it at 15-13.

The crowd had been building steadily and with the Champions Girls cheerleaders, dazzling and dancing, there was a great family atmosphere. Spain (above) were heavily favoured by the crowd, but Germany slammed their authority on the match and showed why they are ranked 7th in the World. The first set started fairly evenly but Germany pulled away to win 21-14 and once they could sense the trophy was nearly in their grasp, they were uncatchable and wrapped up the set 21-12 to lift the silverware.

The party soon swung into top gear as all those involved in playing, organising and watching the Tenerife Champions Cup, celebrated three days of action, colour and fun

Like the finest of action movies, it was High Noon at Siam Park today when Great Britain and Spain 1 served up the first match of the Tenerife Champions Cup beach volleyball tournament. There was a typically clear Tenerife blue sky, the finely raked sand was baking hot, and it was just about to get a whole lot hotter.

The Champions Girls cheerleaders, had been limbering up and outshone the sun when they appered at courtside. You had to admire the concentration of the players with such delightful distractions, but these guys are professionals and live for the game. Spain’s first team of Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa had a score to settle with the Great Britain pair of Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki after losing to them in the recent Brazil tournament. The Spanish pair proved too strong this time for GB and won by 2 sets to nil, 21-15 and 21-16. 

The tense action on court was a dramatic contrast from the previous evenings cocktail party launch at the Hotel Sheraton La Caleta. Players were able to mingle with invited guests out by the pool and enjoy the fine food and drink served up. Great Britains Robin (left) and Jody (right) seen below relaxing with new found friends, were impressed by the 5 star luxury of the Sheraton, and excited by the prospect of playing in the Tenerife Champions Cup.

The opening game certainly set the net high, but all 8 teams are fired up to chase the glory and prestige that goes with winning the Tenerife Champions Cup.

Sporting action doesn’t get much hotter than this, 16 of the Worlds top male beach volleyball players in pairs action, over 3 days at the new Siam Park in Costa Adeje, and it’s FREE. At the press launch this morning, at the amphitheatre high up above the wave palace, it was clear to see why this was chosen as the venue for this prestigious international event. The sun bathed the light sand court and the stone tiered seating, banking upwards in a semi circle, gave excellent views, not only of the presntation area, but Siam Park below, and out to the sparkling Atlantic.

Glamour was added by the 8 members of the cheer leading troup, Champions Girls, but once we reach noon on Friday October 3, it will be down to serious sporting action as the professional players of Spain and Great Britain start the first match. Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki represent GB as they build towards their target of London 2012, and Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa, fresh back from Beijing will wear Spain’s colours.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
• Noon -  Great Britain v Spain 1  
• 1pm - Spain 2 v Germany
• 2 pm - France v Italy
• 3 pm - Poland v Russia
• 4 pm - Spain 2 v France
• 5 pm - Spain 1 v Poland
• SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
• Noon - Germany v Italy
• 1 pm - Spain 1 v Russia
• 2 pm - Poland v Great Britain
• 3 pm -  Spain 2 v Italy
• 4 pm - Germany v France
• 5 pm - Russia v Great Britain
• SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
• 11.30 am - Ist Semi Final
• 12.30 pm - 2nd Semi Final
• 3 pm - GRAND FINAL

Don’t forget the event is FREE to watch, just head up to the side entrance of Siam Park, and join in the fun.

Five star luxury with all the trimmings, no wonder Iberostar Grand Hotel Anthelia has just been added to the Great Hotels of the World collection, an alliance of luxury hotels around the world that offer conference and group facilities.

The Playa del Duque hotel has 390 rooms spread over 6 buildings and conference halls that can hold 550 people. A recent make over has added a fresh shine and a new Thai Zen space for health and well being, and the Salome V.I.P zone for general relaxation. If you want to eat, you there is no shortage of choice, with reataurants Barbacoa, Portofino, gourmet Poseidon, or buffet Zeus.

Other comforts include, Wi Fi in all rooms and public spaces, a new sporting area, amd a shuttle service to the Golf Costa Adeje course.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• Iberostar Grand Hotel Anthelia
• Calle Londres 15
• Playa del Duque 38660
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922713335
• E mail grand.hotelanthelia@iberostar.com
• http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Tenerife-Sur-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Anthelia_3_24.html

Shrieks of pleasure, gasps of admiration and the frantic click of cameras rung out across Costa Adeje as a dream became reality. Yes, It’s official, Siam Park has arrived. The water kingdom theme park received its inauguration last night in the company of politiicians, business leaders and media from right across Spain. The 185,000 square metre site has been taking shape since 2002 and is a flagship for tourism in the south of Tenerife.

Crowds gathered outside awaiting the arrival of special guest the princess of Thailand, Maha Charkri Sirindhorn, to cut the floral ribbon, before that, the Bishop of Tenerife blessed the park as the crowds admired the imposing exterior. Once inside, the thai theme rang out loudly as colourful temples and guards, not gods, great care has been taken to show due respect to Thai history, dominated the skyline. Performers in traditional dress added a touch of style in the Thai village, the largest outside of Thailand, sealions lounged in the entrance pool and the longest and highest lazy river meandered through the parkas guests explored.

A party of local youngsters eagerly tried out some of the 14 rides, revelling in the warm recycled sea water. The tower of power was the biggest challenge with its 28 metre steep water chute, many looked on in awe through the glass tank where the chute becomes a sealed tube whooshing the rider through a sea of fish and out into a splash pool. Similar thrills awaited on the dragon and volcano with an inflatable raft carrying riders through a maze of tubes and into another splash pool, life guards were ready for them to guide them to a safe stop.

As the sun set, the view over the park and beyond Las Americas to sea, took on a magical light and guests headed to the 5,000 square metre imported white sand beach for the speeches by local dignitaries. The torches burnt around the wave pool, where man made waves of up to 3 metres will delight surfers, and the pagoda like restaurant was a focal point that along with 4 other bars and restaurants, will feed the estimated 7,500 visitors a day the park expects. Fireworks tore through the night sky to round off the evening, and many were already planning return trips with their families when the park opens to the public tomorrow, Wednesday September 17.

•  FACTS AND FIGURES
• Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
• Adults 28 euros (residents 25 €) book on line 26 euros
• Children 3 to 11 years 18 euros (residents 16 €) book on line 17 euros
• Twin Tickets Loro park & Siam Park www.twinticket.com
• Adults 49 euros (residents 39 €) book on line 46 euros
• Children 33 euros (residents 25 €) book on line 31 euros

The TUI group, best known for their Thomson brand, has given annual awards to 2 Costa Adeje based hotels. The 4 star Colon Guanahani is in Fañabe and the 5 star Roca Nivaria is in Playa Paraiso, and have been picked out among the 2,000 strong hotel chain of TUI, for their service and attention to customers.

The Colon Guanahani (above) is making a habit of picking up awards, this is their 6th such honour. Roca Nivaria is only 3 years old but this is its second award during that short time. Both belong to the Adrian group of hotels, they were designed by Rafael Adrian and decorated by his wife Aurora Ruera.

They may be dwarfed by some of their neighbours, but they have some great facilities to offer. Colon Guanahani has a main restaurant close to the pool, with an intimate terrace and also the La Pergola pool restaurant for lighter meals and snacks. There are also squash and tennis courts, and for pampering there is a spa and beauty centre.

Roca Nivaria (above) has a wider selection of restaurants with the Garoe buffet on the terrace overlooking the sea, the lunch restaurant Ahemon Pool, and 2 themed a la carte restaurants, the Italian Verona and Spanish Burgos. To counter the effects of that good living, there is a large spa and indoor and outdoor sports courts.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• Colon Guanahani
• Fañabe 38660
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922712046 
• www.adrianhoteles.com  
• Roca Nivaria
• Avenida Adeje 300
• Playa Paraiso
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922740202
• www.rocanivaria.com

The hotly anticipated opening of Siam Park is only days away and already they have lined up a major 3 day sporting event for the large imported sandy beach. The Tenerife Champions Cup beach volleyball contest will take place over October 3, 4 and 5th, with FREE admission to the public.

The official private inauguration of Siam Park takes place on the evening of Monday September 15, with the public opening later that week. This website will have details and photos of the inauguration and full details of opening times. The beach has been made from specially selected sand from Portugal and forms a crescent around the man made surfers wave maker.

The cream of beach volleyball will be performing in the competition, with the national champion duos of Great Britain, Holland, Russia, Italy,Poland, Germany and Spain taking part. Maybe you recently enjoyed the Olympic beach volleyball, the cheerleading group for the matches was from the Canary Islands, and the Spanish team of Pablo Herrera and Raul Mesa are signed on for the Tenerife Champions Cup. Spain will have 2 teams in this contest, national runners up Lario and Adrian Gavira will be trying to prove that they should be ranked as the best in Spain.

It’s a great chance to see top stars in action and to learn more about this fast paced action sport.

It may not be quite as big as the Tour de France, but to the competitors from Spain and particularly, the Canary Islands, the Vuelta A La Isla De Tenerife, is a very important event on the cycling calendar. The second stage took off from Adeje town on September 4 with a 1.30 pm start from Calle Grande.

Ahead of the cyclists there was a 93.5 km slog up the west coast to El Sauzal, just part of the total 321 kms. As the chain of riders headed off to Playa San Juan, Los Gigantes and up north to Santiago del Teide,and Icod before reaching El Sauzal, it became clear that the riders of Fuerteventura were mounting a serious assault on the race, grabbing the first 2 places. Antonio Olmo (pic) took the yellow jersey in a time of 2 hours, 28 minutes and 43 seconds, with his fellow islander Joaquin Ortega just 24 seconds behind him. With 2 days to go Antonio is in the overall lead as well.

It’s just one of many sporting challenges that can be seen in Costa Adeje, this May saw the first Adeje triathlon, not just cycling, but also swimming and running. That event is confined to a circuit in the La Caleta area and is to become a regular part of the annual sporting calendar.

It may be A Long And Winding Road to Tenerife but it looks like Paul McCartney may be making the journey to thrill the islands music fans on Saturday December 6 at Golf Costa Adeje. That may just be the start, the same sources are suggesting that guitar great Eric Clapton may be Wonderful Tonight, sometime in April 2009, at the same venue.

The precedent was set on January 24 when Elton John wowed a large audience in the natural amphitheatre of the driving range at the Costa Adeje golf course. There has been many a slip between intentions and delivery in Tenerife in the past, but Canarias Live Sun Festival were as good as their word in delivering the Rocket Man, and they are behind the 2 latest concerts.

Elton John was spot on musically, starting dead on time at 9pm and belting out all his hits in a two hour plus set, the only problems came with getting fans into the 20,000 makeshift stadium. this was the first ever concert at Golf Costa Adeje and with those teething problems uppermost in their minds, the organisers should be able to fine tune these future concerts.

The Paul McCartney gig is being confidently predicted on several international websites but the Eric Clapton concert is in its early stages. As a rough guide, the Elton John tickets were 120€ for V.I.P seats and 90€ and 35€ for standing room. The venue has proved itself, and these two international acts will appeal across the board to ex pat Brits, Canarians and many other nationalities. We will keep you informed as things develop.

One of the best things about Costa Adeje, is the way it has kept a balance between natural charm and modern development, and there is no better example of that than the 27 hole masterpiece that is Golf Costa Adeje.

The undulating and well planned course can be a challenge enough in itself but keeping your concentration could prove a tough test, as the scenery is stunning. Designed by Pepe Gancedo in 1998, it is built on former banana plantations and has kept the natural contours of the terraces that work their way down to the coast from the mountains that surround Costa Adeje. There are 5,000 metres of traditional old low stone walls on the course and the bunkers contain the dark sand that is native to Tenerife. An army of palm trees adds to the overall feel of the course and provides some welcome shade at certain points. As you stroll down the fairways, you will appreciate the looming figure of La Gomera out to sea, the nearest other Canary Island to Tenerife.

Many before you have admired the sheer scale and quality of the course, and enjoyed the practice bunker, 2 putting greens and a chipping green. Probably the most impressive part of the course is the 45,000 square metre driving range that covers three levels, all serviced by a lift that can take a full golf buggy. The clubhouse is always a great place to recount those golfing stories after an enjoyable days play, and the combination of these features have seen the course host the 2003 Spanish Open and the 2008 Tenerife Ladies Open .

Golf is booming in Tenerife, and as well as the Costa Adeje course, there are 8 more scattered across Tenerife, all with excellent facilities. Keeping track of all the golfing action going on in Tenerife these days, could put you in a whirl, but the website www.tenerifegolf.info pulls all the information together for you as well as all the contact points you might need. You have the weather, and the course, go on, get out there and play some golf.