They are traditionally associated with being played on a natural, coastal sand beach, but also often take place on artificially constructed in-land playing fields using imported sand.
Many are sand-based adaptations of sports already well established on other surfaces;[4][5] most are played in smaller playing areas than their parent sports due to the more difficult and exhausting nature of traversing such a yielding terrain.
[1][6][7] Beach sports are practiced from a range of casual and non-competitive to professional-level competition.
[4][5] The definition of beach sports is also frequently extended to include water sports conducted in an ocean or similar waterbody, overlooked by an adjacent beach which forms an integral part of the aesthetic and culture of such sports; this list excludes these.
[2] The following lists major international beach multi-sport events: