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.

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.

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.

A field of 120 of the best lady golfers in the world and last years winner, Nikki Garrett, coming back to defend her title, the 2008 Tenerife Ladies Open was always going to be tough, but now Europe’s number one player, Gwladys Nocera (below) from France, has added her name to the contestants to crank the competition up another notch.

Golf Costa Adeje is all ready for the pre tournament training day on Tuesday 17th June, followed by the Wednesday Pro Am tournament, before the competitive action starts on Thursday 19 June, finishing on Sunday 22 June. Gwladys is in hot form this season, having won the Dutch and Scottish Opens, one of the best of her 6 years as a professional.

The ravines, stone walls and natural features will once again prove a true test for the players but a wonderful backdrop for those watching at the course and on television. Tenerife will be seen at it’s best and the lure of propert investment here will again be felt strongly to UK golf fans. There’s no harm in looking and maybe dreaming, and if you visit the website of Second Home Tenerife the prices may well convince you that it’s time to turn the dream into a reality.

Passing through the bustling shopping area of San Eugenio, you could easily overlook Puerto Colon, but a short walk down the slip road will bring its reward in a whole range of water based fun. The beach is a real family favourite, small and intimate and with fine grain sand that brushes off easily. The sea shelves gently out into the partly enclosed bay and is always calm. A popular summer addition is the series of inflatables moored just off the beach, for a small charge, children can clamber over them, slide off them and generally have a good time whilst supervised by life guards.

At the back of the beach, a selection of bars and restaurants are just a step away, and with no traffic to worry about, the little ones will be in their element. To the left of the beach, the walkway leads round to the marina. Here you can find every sporting and leisure pursuit you could wish for, from dolphin and whale watching trips to jet ski hire or diving schools. There’s a buzzing social scene here day and night with a wide choice of restaurants and plenty of live music later in the evening. Puerto Colon is one of those hidden gems that is popular with locals or those who have bought a second home here, and a great discovery for holiday makers.

Ladies golf is thriving, the sport is well organised, heavily sponsored and receives hours of television coverage. This year the Tenerife Ladies Open returns to Golf Costa Adeje from June 19 to 22 and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The Canary Islands has produced several top professional players and they will be joined from countries around the world as 120 of the best ladies compete for 40,000 euros of prize money. Last years champion Australian Nikki Barrett (left) will return to defend her crown but it will be a tough contest. The action starts on June 17 with a training day, followed on the Wednesday 18 with a Pro Am tournament. The competitive action starts on June 19 with the first round, half of the players will be eliminated at this stage with the remaining 60 battling on during the next 3 days to decide the winner on Sunday June 22.

Once again the Golf Costa Adeje course will impress an international field, with it’s ravines, stone walls and natural features as it slopes down towards the Atlantic and those stunning views out to the island of La Gomera. Good luck ladies, and enjoy your visit to this very special part of Tenerife.

Welcome to Costa Adeje, one of the fastest growing, fastest changing and most diverse of all the regions in Tenerife. This south west corner may delight you, challenge you, even frustrate you at times, but it will always surprise you.

The contrasts are amazing, from the long established, young and brash nightlife of Playa de Las Americas to the up market designer shops and hotels of Fanabe and Bahia del Duque, and on to the develoing coast of La Caleta and the fishing village beyond, Costa Adeje is never afraid to change. Moving inland, Golf Costa Adeje

Shopping takes on a new dimension in Costa Adeje, whether it be dipping into the book and craft fairs in Adeje old town or name dropping designer labels at Gran Sur and Plaza del Duque. If you want something a little unexpected, you can find a multi screen cinema, beach volleyball or a centre of sports excellence. The main motorway passes through so you are only a short drive from the south airport or a direct route up north to the Tenerife capital, Santa Cruz.

No two visits to Costa Adeje are ever the same, there is always something to discover, and it is our pleasure to help point you in a few interesting directions. Feel free to add your comments and suggestions and share youur favourite places with those that follow in your foot steps.