A social update from the stars of the sand

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Taliqua Clancy has been inspiring potential future beach stars this week. Photocredit: Tomislav Moze.

If there’s something we know about beach volleyball stars, it’s that they are very busy people whether they are on the sand or off it.

Yes, in case you didn’t know it’s the off-season and the players are keeping themselves entertained in various weird and wonderful ways before they get back on the court for another demanding, thrilling and competitive campaign at the beach.

Our latest update from the players takes in TV shows, sharks, school, sea and saying goodbye…

First up is Australian Olympian Taliqua Clancy who turned back the clock to pay her old school a visit to give an inspiration talk – could there be a future beach volleyball star in this picture?

BACK TO SCHOOL 🎒 Thank you for the warm welcome! Throwback to primary & being the teacher's pet 🙃 #somanymemories #agradestudent #yeahnah

See this Instagram photo by @taliqua * 195 likes

Staying in Down Under, Taliqua’s fellow Australian Olympians Nikki Laird and Mariafe Artacho del Solar have been focusing on training for the season ahead. The pair posted two 25th placed finishes during the Swatch Major Series in the summer in Hamburg and Klagenfurt, and their social media postings over the past few weeks suggests they will be working extra hard in an effort to improve that record. Nice one, girls!

Pre Season's got me cheering #fitspo #gains #swolle #💪🏽

See this Instagram photo by @nikkilaird7 * 343 likes

Got through first week of preseason! 😅Bring on ...

Got through first week of preseason! 😅Bring on the next 11 weeks!! 👊🏾

One player who impressed at the Olympics was of course Italian Daniele Lupo. Together with Pablo Nicolai, he won silver on the Copacabana. Here Daniele looks pretty pleased that he has a dressing room with his name outside it before he goes on a TV show to talk about his exploits in Brazil.

Mi sembra di aver visto un camerino con scritto il mio nome....😂😂😂😂 #chetempochefa

See this Instagram photo by @danieledlupo * 2,385 likes

Talking of winning, some players just can’t say no to a game of beach volleyball. Trevor Crabb’s victorious smile says it all – he won a charity match this weekend! Fist bumps from us, Trev!

When playing in a 4 man charity event, winning is all that matters 😎. #teamgoat

See this Instagram photo by @kingcrabb808 * 469 likes

Another player still in the mood for beach volleyball is A1 Major Klagenfurt champion Aleksandrs Samoilovs. He helps organize a series of beach volleyball training camps and the latest took part in Mallorca this past weekend – looks like it was popular, too:

Aleksandrs Samoilovs on Twitter

Feeling blessed to provide this type of set up and bring so many people together from all over the world to share a common passion 🏐

While some players focus on beach volleyball, others tend to take it easy during the off-season. Take Gstaad Major champion Talita for instance. She’s just happy taking a trip to an aquarium and here she is snapped as a shark swims into the photo. Perfect.

Com um vidro nos separando o sorriso fica fácil 😂😂😂 ,quem teria coragem de entrar na água ?👀🤔 #tubarao #tenso #adorei #sorrisoamarelodemedo

See this Instagram photo by @talitavolei * 532 likes

Other have just been in real holiday mode. Just take a look at Ana Gallay’s Instagram profile. Or maybe don’t. It’s full of pictures like this which have been making everybody – including us – very jealous.

Ana Gallay on Twitter

Islas 🌴 Mujeres! Un Paraíso @GoPro

Finally, we end this piece with a goodbye. Dutch star Jantine van der Vlist has called time on her career on the sand.

“I am proud to have experienced seven years of top sport. Thank you supporters!” she says.

Jantine vd Vlist on Twitter

Ik zwaai af! 7 jaar topsport was genieten, mooi, prachtig, zwaar K ook soms. Ben trots dat ik het mee heb mogen maken! Bedankt supporters!!

No, thank you Jantine and all the best from all of us here at the Swatch Major Series.