Lenny F.C., of Clackamas, in blue, battles it out with Barrio Nuevo, from Beaverton, in the men’s open division at the Soccer in the Sand tournament in Seaside.

Thousands of participants and many fans and supporters converged in the Seaside sands on June 17 and June 18 as the annual Soccer in the Sand beach soccer tournament returned for its 16th year on the North Coast.

Becket Wright has been bringing her Lenny F.C. teams out from Clackamas for a dozen of those years, first as children, now as adults. While everyone’s busy schedules make reunions difficult, she loves knowing the tournament is that special weekend that brings everyone together.

“This is the one chance,” Wright said.

In many respects, it’s a chance that keeps on giving and growing. The Lenny F.C. contingent has blossomed to 15 teams across multiple divisions.

The Seaside tournament itself has expanded, according to tournament director Jordan Arias, citing this year’s number of teams registered as one of the largest on record. But the beach soccer vibe reaches well beyond Seaside.

“It’s definitely grown throughout the years,” Arias said, noting that the inaugural tournament was founded in 2006 in San Diego by Chris Lemay. However, the tournament now encompasses 12 locations nationwide.

Arias says the Seaside tournament draws most of its teams from all over Oregon, but also many from Washington state and Idaho. Despite the considerable logistics required to host such an event and even the occasional Northwest downpour, spirits are rarely dampened.

“It’s just a really fun weekend,” said Arias, noting the support from the city.

By all accounts, his statement rang true. And with so many games being played, a cheerful round of shouting could be heard each and every time a goal was scored, which is often in beach soccer, a five versus five, fast-paced, pressurized version of the traditional game.

Jenni Bertapelle brought her girls under-10 team, The Tsunami, out from Portland. The girls she coaches come from a variety of clubs and skill levels, but the tournament brings them all together under one big umbrella.

“We’re just a mix of friends, if that makes sense,” Bertapelle said.

It’s many of the girls’ second year at Soccer in the Sand. Those who were new this year were encouraged by what they’d heard from the others.

“It’s super fun,” Bertapelle said. “It’s more social than anything. We’re going to come back every year.”