Even before competition, fans take their places by center court. 

Volleyball is here!

Soaring temperatures inland and the lure of the world’s largest beach volleyball contest brought thousands to Seaside on Thursday, the first day of the four-day tournament.

The tournament, in its 39th year, contributes to a national pipeline for youth, semi-pro and professional beach volleyball.

“We’re all set up,” Seaside Chamber of Commerce Brian Owen said at center court. “We’ve got a couple of things that we’re just buttoning up, making it look a little bit nicer.”

Over 180 courts have been set up by members of the Bad Boys Open Volleyball and volunteers — about 45 people in all.

“We started on Sunday, and all the courts, all the holes were in on Sunday, and some of the nets were hung on Sunday,” Owen said. That’s the fastest we’ve ever done it. And then we finished the rest of the course in between other duties on Monday and Tuesday.”

Excavating contractor Keith Keranen created the center court sand berms.

Juniors pool play began on Thursday, Owen said.

“This is my favorite day. I love to see the families come down,” Owen said. “You got mom, dad watching their kids play.”

The juniors go into bracket play — otherwise known as tournament play — on Friday. “We also have the adults starting tomorrow,” he added, “back into pool play for the adults and then racket play on Saturday.”

More than 1,250 teams will participate in this year’s tournament, he said. “With Portland being over 100 degrees the next couple of days, we expect a lot of people,” he said.