The Paf Open is a world-class sporting event combined with summer, sun, partying and a relaxed atmosphere. For one intense summer week in August, Mariehamn will be teeming with international beach volleyball players, fans of beach volleyball, visitors and many Ålanders. The festival area has everything you could possibly need to enjoy the long glorious days.
The Swatch FIVB World Tour Paf Open, beach volleyball's international world cup, will be held at the Miramarparken in central Mariehamn from 17 to 21 August. The world's best beach volleyball players and the spectators will create a brilliant experience over five days.
Don't miss out on being there from when the first ball is played. The matches will be starting around lunchtime each day. The players will be competing for 380,000 USD in all, that being the Paf Open's total prize money. The Paf Open 2011 is eligible for points contributing to qualification for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The popular annual men's and women's athletics championships between Finland and Sweden will take place on the Sunday.
“Back to the Beach” is something new this year. Everyone, whether a beginner or part of the national elite, can compete in the Paf Open. As a part of the "Back to the Beach" concept, both Challenger and Open classes are on offer for girls and boys on the Friday and Saturday. Both Swedish and Finnish players are welcome to take part in the competitions. Places in both the Challenger and Open are going to be shared out equally between Finnish and Swedish players.
The "Business Day" has been arranged for Thursday 18 August in collaboration with the Åland Chamber of Commerce. What is new this year is that there is a dress code: it consists of flip-flops. The Business Day is going to be packed with high-class lecturers, networking, excellent food and drink - all in an international beach volleyball environment. It will start around lunchtime, and the first official beach party of the Paf Open 2011 will round off the Business Day.
In the evenings and late into the night you can visit one of the Paf Open's official parties, such as, for example, the Itech Open, Friday Party, Players' Party and Champions Night. All parties start around 9 p.m. Experience the atmosphere on the centre court and in the festival area - book your tickets now by emailing booking@pafopen.com. Choose between "Party Camp", "Business" and "Weekend", from 160 euro including boat trip, three nights' accommodation, entry to Paf Open matches and, of course, also to the Paf Open's official evening parties from Thursday to Saturday. For more information go to www.pafopen.com.
Read more about events in Åland.
Read more about the Paf Casino in Åland.
12.06.12