If you hear enthusiastic cheering (in Estonian!) coming from Broadbeach tomorrow afternoon, don’t worry — it’s probably just the Estonians playing beach volleyball. One of Estonia’s favourite summer sports is making another appearance on the Gold Coast, with the Gold Coast Estonian Society hosting its second rannavolle (beach volleyball) tournament of the year on Sunday, 31 May at 1pm.
And judging by what happened last time, this is going to be a lot of fun.
What’s all this about?
For the uninitiated, rannavolle is the delightfully Estonian nickname for beach volleyball. While Australians may think they invented every possible beach activity, Estonians have been enthusiastically diving into the sand and chasing volleyballs for decades. The sport is hugely popular in Estonia during summer and has produced Olympic-level athletes, beachside rivalries and countless arguments about whether that ball was actually in.
Tomorrow’s tournament will take place at Broadbeach from 1pm to 4pm, with teams playing four-versus-four matches on the sand. Organisers will create balanced teams based on skill level, meaning participants can register individually, with friends or as couples — no need to arrive with a ready-made team.
There are great prizes for the winners, Estonian music, spectators are welcome, and afterwards many participants will continue the tradition of celebrating their sporting brilliance over food and drinks at a local pub.
A look back at the first tournament
The inaugural Gold Coast rannavolle tournament in March attracted an impressive turnout, with 24 players competing across six teams and another 30 spectators cheering from the sidelines.
Teams battled it out in a round-robin format across two courts, with Estonian music providing the soundtrack and plenty of sporting spirit on display. Organisers reported a fantastic atmosphere, and participants left asking when the next tournament would be. The answer, as it turns out, is tomorrow.
Ready to hit the sand?
Whether you’re an experienced volleyball player, someone who simply enjoys a good excuse to spend an afternoon at the beach, or a spectator keen to support fellow Estonians, Broadbeach is the place to be.
📅 Sunday, 31 May 2026
⏰ 1pm – 4pm
📍 Broadbeach, Gold Coast
💰 $20 participation fee
🏐 Spectators welcome
For registrations and event details, see the Gold Coast Estonian Society event page.
Learn more
Gold Coast Estonian Society: Facebook and Instagram and email: info[at]goldcoastestoniansociety.com.au
Thank you
Thank you to Elina Peedoson and the Gold Coast Estonian Society for this information and Otto Zeiger for photo/videos.
