Bump… Set… Super-Spike!

It’s that time of the year again for Manitobans to participate in an iconic summertime event. Super-Spike is back and better than ever with a whopping 3,100-plus players — the most the event has had since 2017.

Taking place at Maple Grove Rugby Park this upcoming weekend from July 17-18, volleyball players of all levels of experience will be bumping at the outdoor courts in hopes of dusting off their skills or to simply have a little fun in the sand.

Greg Paseshnik, the events general manager, could not be more excited for this years tourney.

“Super-Spike is in year 24 now which is hard to believe,” Paseshnik said. “I still think it’s one of Winnipeg’s best kept secrets.”

The event originated as a fun way to fundraise for men’s and women’s national volleyball teams, with the first edition only seeing a now quaint 31 teams. Little did the organizers know that it would be a raging success that would continue decades later with over 400 teams enrolled in 2026.

“We know Winnipeggers and Manitobans love volleyball. It’s a huge province for volleyball,” Paseshnik said.

“I don’t think there’s any other event quite like it which is why people keep coming year after year.”

The two-day tournament is split into three divisions: competitive, intermediate and recreational. Whether you’re coming off a university season or haven’t played since gym class in elementary school, there’s a place for everyone.

The competitive division speaks for itself. It hosts the players who have had experience playing at the university level, the national level, or the senior league players throughout the province.

The intermediate level is the most popular division. It’s for those that still want to be able to spike the ball over the net, earn a workout, and enjoy both the competitive and fun aspect of the sport.

The second most registered division is the recreational level — for the volleyballers who have come to simply have a good time.

“You’re not allowed to spike the ball, just get the ball over any way you can,” Paseshnik explained the rules of the recreational level. “It’s all about the fun.”

“So, if you haven’t played before or since junior high intramurals, there’s something for everyone.”

Each team is guaranteed three games and the winners advancing forward until the finals.

“As soon as they’re eliminated, for some of them, that’s where the fun really starts,” Paseshnik chuckled.

The players who are serious about taking it to the championships continue to play until end of Saturday while the others enjoy the live music, food trucks and festivities.

“When you combine all those things together into a festival, there’s nothing quite like it,” he said.

Super-Spike, then, is whatever the players want the tournament to be — competitive or a fun get together of friends.

“Volleyball is the foundation of it, but at the same time, it’s not really about the volleyball,” Paseshnik explained, noting he has made life-long friends over the years and seen many participants do the same.

“We’ve had people come back to get their wedding or anniversary photos because they met at Super-Spike,” he said.

Super-Spike is one-of-a-kind in many different ways, but it’s status as building up the local community is what is so special about the tournament. The funds are split between going back into the volleyball community and a chosen secondary charity. This year that charity is the Winnipeg Humane Society.

“It supports the grassroots programs at Volleyball Manitoba — the provincial teams, officials, players, (and) camps,” Paseshnik added. “Every dollar from the event goes to supporting these two groups.”

So, the next time you’re with your coworkers, in a workout class, or hanging out with friends — don’t forget that they could be your potential teammates for a Super-Spike team in the future.

“You’re in it for the festival and fun just as much as anything else,” Paseshnik said. “(It’s) one of the best events in the summertime in our province.”

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