Center of Gravity Games part 1

Center of Gravity Games

With August just around the corner and two more months of playing around the world, I needed to head back to the island to pack a few things. I went back with my pops and spent one last night in my bed before committing to the last part of the season.

With one full suitcase and an outrageous excitement to play in the Centre of Gravity Games in Kelowna, I picked up Chaim, Sam and Cam and we started our five hour roady to the Okanagan.

Cam and Sam are from Toronto and had never experienced the drive through BC. I desired to take them from Hope to Princeton on a more scenic route but with a press lunch planned, we didn’t have time to spare drifting off the #1 Trans Canada Highway. We all fit comfortably into the Tacoma and it was a beauty sharing time with the young gents.

We arrived in Kelowna and went right for the sand. Our event venue happens to be in the middle of town right at the main city park on lake Okanagan. It is an absolutely gorgeous place and the venue itself couldn’t be rivaled in Canada. The sun was out, it was 30 plus degrees and the site looked to be lining up perfectly.

The Centre of Gravity games started as Volley Fest three years ago and then expanded into a sort of mini Gravity Games with a large recreation grass volleyball event. It boasted a massive motorbike jump contest, a huge freestyle mountain bike big air comp, a wakeboard rail airing from the water into a man made pool on the beach, a jetski world tour boat race, 4 on 4 street basketball and a serious lineup of concerts to compliment the best beach volley in the west. The beer garden was huge and the VIP Cabana tents were all placed nicely around the feature courts. It appeared the event was going to be MASSIVE and us guys were super amped to be featured and show our athleticism and showmanship for the impressionable summer crowd.

I have a few good friends in Kelowna, one of whom had just opened a new bar in one of the slick hotels downtown. I had originally hired Dave Simpson to flare bartend my event and we kept in contact ever since. He is a solid guy and I was really excited to hang out with him and enjoy his new enterprise in the city! Also, he offered me a bed at his current abode and the location, view and quality was off the charts!

The entire event was coming together seamlessly and for Chaim and I personally, we were feeling healthy and yearning to step onto the court and compete for our first Gold of the summer!