…a rising beach volleyball star named Jyrki Nurminen and a recreational player, Sanna Laitala, happened to end up on the same training trip at Club Kastalia in Alanya, Turkey.

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The place was buzzing with Norwegian, German, Dutch, and Russian beach volleyball camps. Hundreds of players were kicking up clouds of glowing red sand, and alongside the thick dust in the air there was a strong sense of purpose and passion. The atmosphere within the Finnish self‑organized group of around twenty people was just as great. Balls were being hit cross‑court and down the line, Efes beers cooled things down after matches, and in the evenings people got to know even previously unfamiliar travel companions in ways that had never happened before.

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Still, Jyrki couldn’t help watching the camps of his international colleagues with a hint of longing.
Why wasn’t anyone organizing a camp for Finns?

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Jyrki and Sanna ended up at the same lunch table, and the conversation turned to training camps. Blissfully unaware that the person sitting opposite him was a highly motivated organizer, Jyrki opened his mouth—and the conversation went something like this:

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(Jyrki): Why don’t Finns have their own camp? Surely something like that could be organized.
(Sanna): That’s not a big deal at all. Let’s do it ourselves. I’ll take care of accommodation and logistics if you handle everything related to training and playing.
(Jyrki): You serious? Would people actually come?
(Sanna): Of course they would! Why wouldn’t they?
(Jyrki): What would we even call the camp?
(Sanna): Obviously Jyrki Nurminen Beach Camp!
(Jyrki): You can’t name it after yourself…
(Sanna): Oh yes you can—look at you! White teeth and a big smile. If that doesn’t sell, what will?!

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And that’s how it started. White Teeth and Camp Mom got busy, and Finnish players finally had a camp of their own. Best of all, Hietsu Beach Volley jumped on board, allowing the first camps to be organized safely with HBV’s support. Training balls, a marketing channel straight into the hearts of roughly 700 active members, and the hands‑on help of key club people proved absolutely invaluable.

The first camp organized by White Teeth and Camp Mom took place in 2016, with around 50 players participating. In 2018, the camp reached over 90 players, along with 30 traveling friends and family members. By 2019, a remarkable 125 players were training in Alanya, with the total headcount soaring to an impressive 170 people!

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In spring 2019, we received a wonderful recognition from the Finnish Volleyball Federation, when the camp was named the Beach Volleyball Phenomenon of the Year 2018.

And the story is only just beginning!