Pendleton Cup Continues with Beach Volleyball Tournament

Pendleton Cup activities continued Wednesday morning as Camp Pendleton Marines faced off at Del Mar Beach during the two-man and four-man beach volleyball tournaments.

The Pendleton Cup, sponsored by the USAA and the Marine Corps Community Services, hosts a range of sporting activities including paintball tournaments, outrigger races and football and soccer games, in addition to Wednesday's beach volleyball tournament.

"We have every sport imaginable," said Theresa Flores, sports coordinator for Camp Pendleton Athletics.

Open only to active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, the Pendleton Cup awards points to Marine units when their members participate in the various athletic events. Points are also awarded to units when their participants win an event.

As a perk, the Marine unit with the most points at the end of the Pendleton Cup receives a cash award that is added to their recreation fund. According to Flores, around $21,000 is given out each year.

"[The Pendleton Cup] is a great way as a unit to make money doing fun, athletic stuff." 

In addition, Flores emphasized the added health benefits of beach volleyball and other athletic events put on by the USAA and MCCS. 

"It is a fun and easy way of coming out and exercising," said Flores.