Rafu Rodriguez-Bertran: Winning weird in semi-retirement

Rafu Rodriguez-Bertran: Winning weird in semi-retirement

Rafu Rodriguez-Bertran was not supposed to win an AVP this year. Heck, he wasn’t even sure if he’d play an AVP this year.

This past winter, he had a son, Nico, his first child. His club in Temecula, Viper Volleyball, was growing and taking off. He’d had an excellent career, one that took him as high as the 2015 World Championships.

It was time for a shift in priorities.

He told this to his partner, Piotr Marciniak, who nodded and went to Ty Loomis for Austin. Rafu sat out.

And then beach volleyball happened. Partners changed. Eric Zaun moved from Ed Ratledge to Tim Bomgren, leaving Ratledge without a partner.

Which brings us to another point: Ed Ratledge was not supposed to win an AVP this year.

He’s 41, been trying for 18 years. Dumped by the partner with whom he’d had his most career success, Ratledge, it seemed, was on his way out, no different than Rafu. Like Rafu’s club, Rateldge’s business, VolleyOC, was constantly expanding.

And so the most wonderful band, one quasi-retired, one sort of reprioritizing, was formed.

“It’s sort of stepping out, kind of doing it part-time slash full-time,” Rafu said on SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter. “I have some other stuff to do but I still want to train and I still want to compete because In like competing but for sure, I never had it in my mind that I would be in that final. Ed is the same way: he loves playing. We do it for fun because that’s what we want to do. That takes away all of the pressure.”

So what did their pre-semifinal routine look like? What was the master strategy to toppling Billy Allen and Ryan Doherty and then Sean Rosenthal and Chase Budinger?

What was the key to unlocking 18 years of championship buildup for Ratledge?

“It’s like, ‘Let’s just go out and play.’ We didn’t even have a strategy going into the semifinals,” Rafu said, laughing when saying it aloud, as if it just occurred to him how outrageous that is. “[Sunday] morning he was on the phone, setting up his tournaments back home, on the phone, and then we skateboard down to the site and ‘Hey, let’s just play!’ It worked out. I don’t know why. No pressure. Just play. It’s so fun because there’s never a single drop of pressure between us.”

They play free and weird, and in this world, weird is the most supreme of compliments. Ratledge’s dialogue with the fans is one of a kind, and his arm swing, coined the “wet noodle” by Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb on the New York livestream a year ago, is the most frustrating swing on tour, one that doesn’t bring a tremendous amount of pace but was, by tournament’s end, the most effective of any player in San Francisco.

“And,” Rafu added, “he optioned at least 50 percent of balls I passed.”

Unconventional. Weird. Quirky. From the dialogue to how they’ve both taken half-steps back in order to achieve their career bests.

But really, is there any other way it could have gone?

“It’s kind of crazy, all the messages and all the people that are interested and are aware of what’s going on and watching,” Rafu said. “It’s pretty fun, it’s pretty cool to have all that support. Even when you don’t know there’s not many people watching you. It’s cool.”

Jaksot(500)

Mailbag! Why Doesn't the USA Host More Events? Sara Hughes' Triumphant Return

Mailbag! Why Doesn't the USA Host More Events? Sara Hughes' Triumphant Return

Welcome back to a Fan Question episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, where the boys take on all of the questions from our loyal listeners. We talk about: - Why doesn't the USA Volleyball host more professional beach volleyball events? - Why are crowds in the USA not showing up to anything? - Is Kelly Cheng the best player in the world? - What do we think of Sara Hughes and her new partner, Ally Batenhorst And a whole lot more! SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

15 Loka 20251h 3min

World Championships Are SET! Previewing the Newport Elite

World Championships Are SET! Previewing the Newport Elite

Welcome back to another Beach Access edition of SANDCAST, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. This week, he's chatting World Championships, and the final standings are now out! - George and Saymon made their HUGE move at the end of the season - Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon earned their wild card with a gold medal in Veracruz - VBTV cutting coverage of Challenge events - USA Volleyball sending the fewest men's teams to a World Championship... ever And a whole lot more. WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

8 Loka 202535min

Charlie Brande, And a Dive Into The Heart of Volleyball

Charlie Brande, And a Dive Into The Heart of Volleyball

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features an absolute legend in Charlie Brande, who shares his extensive experience in volleyball, discussing the evolution of both beach and indoor volleyball, the impact of Title IX, and the importance of community and coaching philosophy in developing young athletes. He reflects on the camaraderie within the sport, the transition from player to coach, and the balance between competition and enjoyment in youth sports. The discussion emphasizes the significance of relationships and mentorship in shaping the future of volleyball. In this conversation, the Tri and Charlie delve into the complexities of balancing coaching responsibilities with family life, the transition into broadcasting, and the importance of engaging with audiences. They discuss the evolution of volleyball broadcasting, the significance of community in sports, and the lessons learned from coaching and mentorship. The dialogue emphasizes the need for authenticity, preparation, and the personal growth that comes from navigating challenges in both sports and life. Chapters with Charlie Brande 00:00 Introduction to Charlie Brande and Volleyball Culture 02:52 The Evolution of Beach Volleyball 05:53 The Impact of Title IX on Indoor Volleyball 08:40 Foundations of Volleyball Training in Hawaii 11:49 The Role of Community in Volleyball Development 14:50 The Importance of Coaching Philosophy 17:36 The Transition from Player to Coach 20:43 Youth Development and Specialization in Volleyball 23:41 The Influence of Coaches on Young Athletes 26:51 The Balance Between Competition and Enjoyment 29:43 Reflections on Coaching and Mentorship 41:27 Navigating Choices in Coaching and Family Life 45:03 The Transition to Broadcasting 48:57 The Art of Engaging Broadcasting 52:34 Connecting with the Audience 56:50 The Evolution of Volleyball Broadcasting 01:00:38 The Importance of Community in Sports 01:05:37 The Balance of Competition and Personal Growth 01:10:49 Lessons from Coaching and Mentorship SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

1 Loka 20251h 26min

BEACH ACCESS: Carol Salgado, The Queen of Brazil; Qatar, Cuba, And The People's Champs

BEACH ACCESS: Carol Salgado, The Queen of Brazil; Qatar, Cuba, And The People's Champs

Welcome back to Beach Access, presented by SHIELD, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. This week, he's chatting the recent Rio Elite, where: - Carol established herself as Brazil's new resident queen - Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won a career-high third gold medal in a final dubbed "a win for the people" - Cuba's dismantling of Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum - The problems plaguing Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, and Chaim Schalk and James Shaw - Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw, and Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft playing excellent ball late in the season And a wholeeeee lot more SHOOTS! Full recap here: https://sandcastvolleyball.com/carol-salgado-the-queen-of-brazil-rio-elite-recap/ *** Our medical timeout was brought to you by SHIELD Athletic Tape. If you’re an athlete, coach, or just train hard, you know that staying healthy is easier said than done— it’s about staying supported. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD is a U.S.-based athletic tape company built by athletes, for athletes. Whether it’s rigid tape for serious support, kinesiology tape with true 4-way stretch for maximum mobility, or turf tape to fight off burns on the field — SHIELD’s got you covered. They even make recovery wraps for post-session cooldowns and inflammation control. And because it’s all made right here in the U.S., you’re getting elite quality and fast delivery —they are truly not cutting corners. Try SHIELD today — support that actually performs. Check them out at shieldhealthandfitness.com and use code SANDCAST for a discount. Tape smarter. Train harder. SHIELD up.

29 Syys 202535min

The Brazil Episode: Kelly Cheng, Molly Shaw Flip The Switch, Dominate Joao Pessoa

The Brazil Episode: Kelly Cheng, Molly Shaw Flip The Switch, Dominate Joao Pessoa

Welcome back to SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter which doubles as a Beach Access episode this week, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Brazil: A full recap from the Joao Pessoa Elite, and brief look-ahead to the Rio Elite this week. He chats: - Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw's dominant run through the entire Brazilian federation for their first gold medal as a team - The home field advantage enjoyed by Evandro and Arthur, who won their third gold medal as a partnership -- all won in Brazil - The HUGE moves made by Calvin Aye and Remi Bassereau and Portugal's Joao Pedrosa and Hugo Campos - The incredible Brazil vs. America rivalry, and how it's still as strong as ever And much, much more. Our medical timeout was brought to you by SHIELD Athletic Tape. If you’re an athlete, coach, or just train hard, you know that staying healthy is easier said than done— it’s about staying supported. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD is a U.S.-based athletic tape company built by athletes, for athletes. Whether it’s rigid tape for serious support, kinesiology tape with true 4-way stretch for maximum mobility, or turf tape to fight off burns on the field — SHIELD’s got you covered. They even make recovery wraps for post-session cooldowns and inflammation control. And because it’s all made right here in the U.S., you’re getting elite quality and fast delivery —they are truly not cutting corners. Try SHIELD today — support that actually performs. Check them out at shieldhealthandfitness.com and use code SANDCAST for a discount. Tape smarter. Train harder. SHIELD up. *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

24 Syys 202544min

Canyon Ceman: An Old School Legend's Journey Through Beach Volleyball

Canyon Ceman: An Old School Legend's Journey Through Beach Volleyball

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Canyon Ceman, one of the old school greats who won seven AVPs in a stories career and who is still crushing it playing fours on 22nd Street in Hermosa Beach. Trust us, he's still got a cannon of a jump serve. He and Bourne cover a lot of ground, including: Why Tri Bourne’s retirement hit Ceman, a man who had health issues of his own, so hard What it was like to play Karch Kiraly and Phil Dalhausser in their primes, and what made them so great Ceman’s career switch from volleyball to finance, and why he knew that wasn’t the life for him – and then into WWE Reflecting on the next steps of Tri Bourne’s life and career, as he is at a similar crossroads Ceman once found himself And so much more. What a sweet episode this is. So much to enjoy. SHOOTS! Reach out to Canyon Ceman at: canyon@marinewealthadvisors.com *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

17 Syys 20251h 46min

Arnaud Gauthier-Rat: Pushing France Beach Volleyball to Unprecedented Heights

Arnaud Gauthier-Rat: Pushing France Beach Volleyball to Unprecedented Heights

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, the top beach volleyball player in France who has recently teamed with the young – and impressive – Teo Rotar. Already, they have locked up a spot in this fall’s World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, and are a dark horse contender to medal. Recorded at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Hamburg Elite, Gauthier-Rat and Mewhirter sit down to chat about: The epic Paris Olympics – and the pressures of being the home team The wild qualifying process for those Paris Olympic Games, and the incredible stress put on Gauthier-Rat and his then-partner, Youssef Krou A crazy run at the European Continental Cup, where Gauthier-Rat first teamed with Teo Rotar to clinch a second bid into the Olympics for France The bright future of France, whose youth talent is overflowing And much, much more. This one FLEW BY. SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

10 Syys 20251h 21min

John Hyden, Nicole Christner: The Coaching Chapter of a Legend's Career

John Hyden, Nicole Christner: The Coaching Chapter of a Legend's Career

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features the legendary John Hyden and his coaching right-hand woman, Nicole Christner. They cover all topics on this one, a fun, wide-ranging conversation that includes: How Hyden Beach, John’s complex outside of Nashville, is doing His transition into the coaching world after decades of playing What made Tri Bourne and John Hyden so special as a team Why Sean Scott should be considered one of the greatest blockers of all time And so much more. Absolute blast with everyone in the studio! SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

3 Syys 20251h 34min

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