The view from Queen’s Beach is priceless, with Waikiki in the foreground and Pu’u O Kapolei in the distance. But the vision Kevin Wong has goes beyond the Oahu shoreline.

The window of opportunity in beach volleyball has opened wide, from the inaugural AVCA Intercollegiate Women’s Sand Championships last month to unprecedented interest in the sport heading into the London Olympics this summer.

Wong, who will be part of the NBC broadcast team for beach volleyball at the Games, wants to capitalize on that with the Mauna Loa Hawaii State Sand Volleyball Championship beginning this weekend at the Queen’s Sandbox.

The May tournament schedule features play in girls and boys, under-12 through under-18, in both 6-on-6 and 4-on-4 formats. Later tournaments also will feature traditional pairs competition.

"Hawaii is such a perfect fit for the sport; it was invented here in 1915," said Wong, a 2000 Olympian in beach volleyball. "When you look at the indoor game, our girls tend to be undersized and you don’t see a lot of liberos getting scholarships. But with sand volleyball now in colleges, you start turning those 5-foot-6, 5-foot-8 players into scholarship beach players.

"I think there will come a time where more kids from Hawaii get sand scholarships than indoor ones. There are going to be more opportunities for them. This is the window and the time is right."

The University of Hawaii was one of 16 schools that sponsored a sand team this season, the inaugural for the NCAA emerging women’s sport. But Wong’s goal is not just about college; it’s about getting beach volleyball into Hawaii high schools.

"Arizona is the first to have it as a high school sport, and California and Florida both have established beach tours," Wong said. "We have the talent and we have the beach. But the venue needs to be there for us to be a factor.

"We have talked to the (Hawaii High School Athletic Association) and it’s the same process for any sport. We have to have three different leagues to incorporate it. It’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of timing. We’re willing to do everything we can to make it happen."

Some of that is establishing permanent courts. Wong’s brother, Scott, the sand coach for the Rainbow Wahine, has explored several venues, including the Waikiki Shell.

The ideal spot in the minds of many is the Natatorium. "It’s impossible to walk by there and not think about it," Kevin Wong said. "You could easily fit six courts. You’d have the premier venue for beach volleyball.

"But Queen’s is a beautiful spot in its own right. We’re taking it one step at a time."

Teams can register through spikeandspeed.com, with late entries accepted starting at 8 a.m. the day of each tournament.

Rec Center

Kaiwi Channel Relay on Sunday

More than 200 paddlers are expected to compete in Sunday’s Steinlager Kaiwi Channel Relay, a 41-mile race from Kaluakoi, Molokai, to Magic Island.

Defending champions are Danny Ching and Will Reichenstein (4 hours, 38 minutes, 35 seconds) and Lauren Bartlett and Andrea Moller (5:15.59).

Teams of two use OC1s, while teams of four use OC2s, making open-water paddler exchanges.

International rugby test at Kaiser

The USA Tomahawks take on Mate Ma’a of Tonga in the first International Rugby League test match played in Hawaii on May 12 at Kaiser High stadium.

The 7 p.m. IRL match is part of the Ohana Cup, a full day of rugby competition that includes Rugby Hawaii Union and women’s 7s matches, as well as a U19 youth challenge between Kahuku and Belmont Shores, Calif. Adult admission is $3. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Adaptive tennis clinic with Arnoult

Maui’s Beth Arnoult, one of the United States’ top wheelchair tennis players, is offering a free adaptive tennis clinic Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., at Kapalua Tennis Garden.

Assisting Arnoult, a member of the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Team, will be Kapalua’s director of tennis Jeff Smith. The clinic includes basic instruction, games and rallies and concludes with a skills challenge with prizes and giveaways. Wheelchairs are provided.

For additional information or to register, contact Tara Sabado at tara.sabado@mauicounty.gov or 270-7979. Registration deadline is Monday.

Cindy Luis, Star-Advertiser

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