MONTREAL, CANADA — The SMASH Festival, presenting the Beach Pro Tour for the first time ever in Montreal, is pleased to announce that beach volleyball Olympian Marie-Andrée Lessard has become an ambassador for the event. From July 26 to 30, at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the public will be able to attend a stage of the Elite16 beach volleyball world series, the highest level of the Beach Pro Tour. The world’s top 32 teams (16 men’s and 16 women’s*) will battle it out over 5 days to maintain their place in the rankings of this prestigious tournament, and hope to win one of the $300,000 USD in prize money.
After immersing themselves in the excitement of the tournament, the public can end the day in style, with both feet in the sand, until nightfall, with DJ evenings on July 27, 28 and 29.
“The success of Canadian teams on the international scene in recent years has boosted participation levels in beach volleyball like never before! To have an international event hosting the world’s best athletes in Montreal is an exceptional opportunity, especially as Canada has an excellent chance of reaching the podium with Melissa and Brandie in the main draw. This tournament will be a foretaste of the fierce battle to be waged under the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Olympics in a year’s time. I’m very excited to be part of this exceptional event, which promotes the world’s most beautiful sport,” says Marie-Andrée Lessard, event ambassador and Senior Director, Games, at the Canadian Olympic Committee.
“It’s always exciting and an honor to play in Canada. We’re looking forward to seeing Canada host more tournaments. I hope this is just the beginning,” says Canadian player Melissa Humana-Paredes. It’s even more exciting to play in Montreal, a city that knows how to organize high-level events. Montrealers really appreciate sport and support their athletes. Their encouragement will help us in our quest to gain points for the qualifications to the Paris Olympics.”
“Melissa and I are looking forward to playing at home, in front of our family, friends and community. It’s going to be an unforgettable event,”adds her Canadian teammate Brandie Wilkerson.
CANADIAN TEAMS
Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes
The two 30-year-old Canadian Tokyo 2020 Olympians teamed up late into the 2022 season and appeared together at an AVP Tour event in September, taking silver. They also topped the podium at the first AVP Tour stop in 2023 but have yet to make it to their first Beach Pro Tour podium as a team.
With her previous partner Sarah Pavan, Melissa triumphed at the 2019 World Championships in Hamburg, became 2019 World Tour seasonal champions, and reached number one in the World Ranking. In 2022, they claimed gold at the Jurmala Elite 16 on the Beach Pro Tour and at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Having picked up several World Tour medals with Heather Bansley, Brandie partnered with Sophie Bukovec for most of 2022, claiming silver at the World Championships in Rome.
Daniel Dearing and Samuel Schachter
The two Canadian players, both born in 1990, had some appearances together in the past, but really joined forces as a permanent team before the start of the Beach Pro Tour in 2022. Before that, Samuel Schachter had triumphed as 2010 U21 world champion with Garrett May. He had also competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics and picked up several World Tour and NORCECA Tour medals with Joshua Binstock, while Daniel Dearing’s international success had come mostly at the continental level.
As a duo, Dearing & Schachter topped the podium at December’s 2022 NORCECA Tour Finals in Punta Cana and claimed silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Their best result on the Beach Pro Tour was the fifth place finish at their first appearance for 2023, the La Paz Challenge, shortly after which they entered the top 30 of the FIVB World Ranking.
SMASH FESTIVAL
“By presenting the Beach Pro Tour, the SMASH Festival will bring nothing less than the world of volleyball to Montreal this summer! The arrival of this sporting event will contribute in a very different way to the influence of the summer Montreal we know and beyond,” says Yanick Nadeau, General Manager, Productions Podium. With its 100% beach programming in an urban setting and its festival program, SMASH is becoming a not-to-be-missed tourist destination for sports enthusiasts and the whole family alike”.
For access to the best seats and to purchase tickets, visit the festivalsmash.com
Media Release
Photo credit: Conny Kurth / www.kurth-media.de
