What began as a small beach volleyball tournament among friends in downtown Tavares has grown into one of Central Florida’s most unique and fast-growing volleyball events.

Founded by Jordan Katz and his family, Sand Ballerz has become known for combining competitive sand volleyball with themed festivals, music, giveaways and community partnerships that create an experience unlike a traditional tournament. From Halloween costumes and Candyland-inspired courts to DJs, food trucks and charity partnerships, the events have transformed beach volleyball into an immersive social atmosphere attracting players and spectators from across Florida and beyond.

“It’s not just a volleyball tournament,” Jordan says. “There’s a lot of other parts to it and it’s so much fun.”

The idea began after Jordan and his friend Bryce started playing in beach volleyball tournaments throughout Florida. While they enjoyed the sport, they noticed something missing.

“There was a lot of time between games where we were just sitting there,” Jordan says. “If I’m not playing volleyball, what else am I doing?”

Jordan also felt many tournaments focused only on top-level players, leaving recreational competitors feeling overlooked. He wanted to create something that felt welcoming and entertaining for every skill level.

The first Sand Ballerz tournament was held on two public sand courts in downtown Tavares with roughly 10 teams made up mostly of family and friends. The event quickly caught the attention of Lake County Commissioner Kirby Smith. After learning more about it, he then encouraged the group to grow the concept and subsequently, helped support expansion efforts.

Sand Ballerz continued gaining momentum from there, eventually outgrowing the Tavares courts and moving to the Hickory Point Beach Volleyball Complex, one of the nation’s largest sand volleyball facilities with 21 courts.

Jordan Katz never planned to become a volleyball player. He was a soccer player who eventually found his way into beach volleyball while playing recreationally with friends. What started as casual competition evolved into the creation of Sand Ballerz, one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing themed volleyball tournament series. 

Jordan credits much of the event’s creative direction to his family, especially his father, who used expertise gained while working on themed cruise ship experiences to inspire the immersive atmosphere Sand Ballerz has become known for. 

Jordan balances a career in real estate while planning tournaments and coordinating sponsorships and community partnerships. He says the events are fueled by a passion for bringing people together and creating experiences that are welcoming to all skill levels. 

“We want whoever it is, no matter what walk of life they come from, to feel important in our volleyball tournaments and have the best time,” Jordan says.

Today, the tournaments regularly attract dozens of teams in co-ed, doubles, sixes and junior divisions. Many players embrace the fun themes by arriving dressed in costumes inspired by superheroes, under-the-sea characters and Halloween favorites.

But the tournaments are anything but gimmicky.

“We want everyone to feel like they are the top-level player out there,” Jordan says.

Sand Ballerz also partners with local organizations and charities by using themed tournaments to give back to causes connected to each event. Past tournaments have supported breast cancer awareness, ocean conservation and local animal organizations, even helping facilitate pet adoptions during one event.

Jordan says the goal has always been bigger than volleyball.

“It’s definitely going to be different than what anyone has ever experienced in a volleyball tournament,” he says.

The next Sand Ballerz tournament, the 6th Annual Halloween “Spooky Spike Showdown,” is scheduled for Oct. 3-4 at the Hickory Point Complex in Tavares. 

Photos: Cindy Peterson