Virginia Beach Area Information

Remember those old magazine ads with the bulky bodybuilder kicking sand in the skinny guy's face at the beach? Well, musclemen have become more gentlemanly over time and the 21st century version of the beachside athlete is more impressive than ever. Especially at Virginia Beach.

The "American Challenge" NASF Bodybuilding Championships are hosted here every year. With over 100 awards, and 7 National Championships to be crowned, this is one whopper of a competition. What better place to catch a sight of the ultimate hard bodies than along the beach? If you're not really into great feats of strength, how about endurance tests? The Neptune Festival Sandman Triathlon is one of the mid-Atlantic's best known races. A 1k open ocean swim is followed by a 14-mile bike race through Fort Story, which is followed by a 5k run along the boardwalk, which is followed by applause from friends and well-wishers and more water than contestants have imbibed at any one time in their lives. Registration for the event is free, if you're up for it. The Beach Urban Adventure Race is another amalgam of different events. This 3-5 hour competition includes soloists and two-person teams competing in soft-sand runs, water boogie board swimming, off-road biking, sea kayaking, stair climbing and rappelling.

For the more single-minded athlete focused on their water sport of choice, there are several competitions that take place on and in the water. North America's oldest running surfing contest isn't in California, but here in Virginia Beach. More than 100 of the world's top professional surfers and 450 amateurs "ride the curl" at the historic 2nd Street Jetty. With combined cash prizes of $55,000, the East Coast Surfing Championships boast the biggest purse on the East Coast. While there is an entry fee required for contestants, spectators can catch the action for free. Meanwhile, the Paddle for the Bay is a kayaking event that raises money for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. This organization is dedicated to preserving the nation's largest and most productive estuary. The Red, White and Blue Billfish Tournament and Striped Bass World Championship showcase some of the best anglers in the country to compete for cash and other prizes, such as new fishing equipment.

So grab your tackle boxes, kayaks, surfboards, bikes and barbells for some weighty sporting events along the shore in Virginia Beach. You might even win enough dough to pay for your entire vacation.