The New Year Brings Plenty of Sports to the Gulf!

Welcome to 2014! A new year can mean so many things—a new start, new goals, and down here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach it means a whole new year of exciting sporting events!

February alone sees a variety of Gulf Coast sports, from basketball and baseball to a golf tournament and even a cheerleading competition. Kicking things off on February 8^th is the HoopPlay Tournament 4 GM Guarantee—a basketball event taking place at Gulf Shores High School and Middle School. Also taking place in February are the Cheertech Orange Beach Nationals (February 15^th), the USSSA President’s Day Challenge Baseball Tournament (February 15^th), the GSHS Golf Battle on the Beach event (February 17^th), and the Island Cup Soccer Tournament (February 21^st – 22^nd).

Want a reason to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach next month and participate in an event? The 2014 Sweetheart 5k and Half Marathon is scheduled for February 15^th. You have some choices with this event: the half marathon, Sweetheart Run, one-mile fun run, or the 5k Walk/Run. Follow it up with food, live music, and an awards ceremony at the post-race party at The Hangout.

It’s going to be a great year for sports!

Ringing in the New Year with a Hot List of Gulf Sporting Events

And just like that, 2013 is coming to an end. It’s been a great year in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, and the sports were no exception. The Gulf Coast saw everything from baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments to beach volleyball competitions to marathons and triathlons. The AHSAA made a couple appearances in the form of softball and track championships, as did the NAIA with softball and soccer. It was a good year for Gulf Coast sports.

Now we move on to 2014. The sports events continue on, beginning with the HoopPlay Winter Tip Off Basketball Tournament on January 4^th at Gulf Shores High School and Middle School; the event returns about a month later (February 8^th) at the same location. Then in mid-February things really get busy—the Sweetheart 5k and Half Marathon on February 15^th, the Cheertech Orange Beach Nationals (also on February 15^th), and the GSHS Golf Battle on the Beach (February 17^th) are just a few events taking place in February. Softball, soccer, volleyball, and another half marathon are also scheduled for February.

It’s going to be another great year of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach sports. Start making plans now—pick your event, pick your accommodations, and make a sports vacation out of it.

Baseball in December on the Gulf Coast—Really!

Just when you thought baseball had called it quits for the year, it pops up again in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. It’s the USSSA Fall Alabama State Baseball Tournament, and it’s taking place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex December 13^th and 14^th—definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!

It’s easy to see why Gulf Shores & Orange Beach would be a top pick for a late-fall baseball/softball event. The weather is mild and far from freezing, the white-sand beaches are beautiful and inviting, and the variety of baseball and softball facilities is plentiful.

Gulf Shores alone has several baseball and softball facilities, including three baseball fields and one softball field at Johnnie Sims Park, and one baseball field and six softball fields at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Head on over to the Orange Beach Sportsplex and you’ll find five more softball fields and five baseball fields. Several local high schools and middle schools also have fields available for use.

And we’ve only mentioned baseball and softball fields—facilities are also available for soccer, football, tennis, and various other sports. Add in the Gulf beaches and array of accommodations and it’s hard to think of a reason not to plan a sporting event in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Combine Holiday Activities and Soccer in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping deals to kick off the official start of the holiday shopping season, Christmas decorations, festive holiday events, and an exciting women’s soccer event.

Well, the soccer may not be part of the holiday spirit elsewhere, but it is in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is scheduled to take place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex from December 1st through the 7^th. And an exciting event it is—throughout the week, 16 college women’s soccer teams from across the country will compete for the national championship title. If you’re in the area, this Orange Beach sports event is definitely worth checking out.

But if you can’t be here for this soccer event, don’t worry—the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is already set to return to the Gulf December 1^st – 6^th in 2014, and again in 2015 (November 30^th to December 5^th). There’s plenty of time to plan a late-fall Gulf Coast vacation!

Decompress from holiday shopping and come out and watch these talented ladies in action.

Turkey Dinners and Marathons Make Good Reasons to Visit the Gulf

With two weeks until Thanksgiving, there’s still time to make plans for the upcoming holiday. If you’re falling short on ideas, here’s a good plan for the Thanksgiving holiday: book a stay at a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach condo or beach house, bring the family to the Gulf for some fall beach activity, prepare your Thanksgiving dinner with the beach just outside your window (or eat out—several local restaurants will be open), then run a marathon two days later—or a half marathon.

It’s the Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Half Marathon and 5K Run, and it’s taking place the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 30^th). As the title suggests, there are a couple different options to really get you moving—the 5K and the half marathon. And if you’re not sure you’re up for these distances but still want to participate, there’s always the 1-mile fun run. All of it takes place on scenic paved trails through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park.

It’s a great reason to bring the entire family down to the Gulf Coast, and a great way to transition from one holiday season to the next—work off that turkey dinner and race into the Christmas spirit.

Grab those running shoes, start training and start planning!

Are You Ready for Some SEC Soccer on the Gulf?

We are all about the SEC down here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach: kicking off the season with big beach party (SEC BeachFest), watching games on the TV in bustling beachside restaurants and bars, and even hosting high-action SEC sporting events right here in the area.

Next week will see the start of the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship (November 4^th – 10^th) at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Soccer fans (and sports fans in general), you’ll want to be here for this event: 10 ladies SEC soccer teams will compete over the course of the week for the title of SEC Women’s Soccer Champions. Not only will the excitement level of this event be high, but tickets are only $5 ($2 for children), and the championship game on November 10^th will be televised live.

It’s an excellent reason to plan a fall trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Beautiful fall weather and our even more beautiful white-sand beaches simply add to the experience. Book a Gulf-front condo or hotel and make a full vacation of the event—there are plenty of great deals to be found!

Hope to see you there!

Time to Get Physical at the Beach This Fall

October (and fall in general) is simply a perfect time of year to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, with its great weather, variety of beach accommodations offering fall rates, and the chance to eat a lot of shrimp and then run it off.

The 42^nd Annual National Shrimp Festival begins this week (October 10^th – 13^th), and as the name implies, will bring lots of Gulf shrimp—plus lots of other good food, live music, arts and crafts, and a retail marketplace. And after the first couple days of festivities, you’ll get the chance to work off any indulgent eating at the Shrimp Festival 10K and 5K Run, taking place this Saturday, October 12^th.

Not only is this a good opportunity to put your athletic abilities to the test, but proceeds from the event also benefit local Gulf Shores & Orange Beach public schools. Run knowing you’re supporting a good cause (and burning quite a few calories)—or just come out, watch, and support those participating.

Feeling up for a good athletic challenge but unable to make it this weekend? The Ultimate 5K Obstacle Challenge is coming to The Wharf on November 2^nd. It’s no ordinary obstacle course—it’s an Xtreme Obstacle Challenge. And later in the month (November 30^th) is the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon and 5K Run. Work off that Thanksgiving meal while running along scenic Gulf Shores & Orange Beach trails.

Hope to see you this fall!