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A soccer camp with a twist.

Soccer is played on sand and when the players get warm they take a dip or mount kayaks and paddle boats to cool off in the Gulf off Tigertail Beach.

The five-day Beach Soccer Fun Camp, sponsored by the city Parks and Recreation Department, is in its second week. Start-up dates for two more camps are June 16 and 23.

Instructors John Patterson, Jackie Sauter and Tony Smith bring a wealth of soccer knowledge, while Smith also is the manager of the concessions at Tigertail, including the water sports items which are available to all campers.

At times they mix games that include water and soccer. The campers have paddled canoes to cones in the water and then came back to run to a location where they have to pass the soccer ball to each other five times. They have done the same exercise using kayaks.

Patterson is a former professional soccer player in England and has coached at Marco Island Charter Middle School and held camps through the city. Sauter is the present Charter School boys and girls coach, while also assisting with the Lely High varsity girls team. Smith is a former English rugby player who has also coached local YMCA soccer teams.

Each day begins with two hours of soccer instruction and works into competitive play. The afternoons consist of beach games and water sports. The five-day camp cost is $160, without lunch and $180 with lunch.

For more information call Smith at 285-8414. To sign up call 642-1666.