Indoor volleyball in Toronto keeps us active during the fall and winter months, as well as the odd occasion when shards of glass are found in the sand at the Ashbridges Bay. Many indoor volleyball courts offer the next best thing to actual beach volleyball--that is, beach volleyball with a roof--with the added bonus of a licensed bar to help you cool down after the game. Of course, not every facility can accommodate a dump truck full of sand, particularly those high school gymnasiums that are often used by volleyball leagues after school hours. In those cases, be sure to remember those knee pads. Here are a few places to play indoor volleyball in Toronto.

Beach Blast
My memories of Beach Blast stem back to those first awkward co-ed birthday parties during middle school. Now, they consist mostly of those first, awkward short-shorts appearances after too many months out of the sun. Beach Blast is my choice pick for indoor volleyball since it has actual sand courts, which is a lot easier on the knees during those diving plays. Not far from Lawrence and Dufferin, Beach Blast's seven indoor courts are available for drop-in and tournament play, clinics, and private rentals.

Victory Volleyball
Victory Volleyball is a volleyball-dedicated hard court facility in Mississauga that uses the same flooring material as the International Volleyball League. So even if it hurts like hell when you land, you'll be hurting just like the pros. Drop-in is available everyday with the purchase of a five-visit pass ($54), or you can sign up to play in a league or tournament. Victory Volleyball also offers adult skills clinics and group or private tutoring.

The Hangar
The Hangar at Downsview Park has just about every sport imaginable (roller derby is no exception) and among them is indoor beach volleyball. The courts are available for both league and drop-in play, the latter of which can run you as little as $10 on Friday and Saturday nights. Play-all-day passes are also available everyday for $16.

North Beach Volleyball
North Beach Volleyball is another facility that has volleyball courts with actual sand (and a licensed pub and patio too). North Beach hosts "Rock the Sandbox" every Friday and Saturday night when you can participate in drop-in play until 2 a.m. for just $10. That's jerk chicken, volleyball, and bad pop hits. North Beach also offers several leagues and tournaments throughout the year

Toronto Spartan Volleyball League
The Toronto Spartan Volleyball League is an LGBT indoor volleyball league that organizes games at various high school gyms in the central downtown/Leslieville/Riverdale areas of Toronto. While an evening at a public school gym might be the furthest thing from a day at the beach, you can surely tap into that old high school angst to throw power behind your spikes. The league plays in both recreational and competitive divisions.

Go West Athletics
Go West, like Toronto Spartan, plays at high school gyms, but it sticks mostly to Etobicoke CI at Dundas and Islington. Indoor volleyball games are played Monday through Friday, as well as the occasional Saturday tournament. Registration is generally around $125 for an individual, or $750 for a team.

YMCA
Yes, the old faithful also offers volleyball. But, uh, don't expect sand courts here. The Toronto area YMCA facilities generally allot some of its gym times for indoor volleyball, but you might have to kick some basketball players off the court first. Generally for players 16 years old and up.

City of Toronto
Until future budget meetings deem them frivolous, the city organizes several registered programs for mostly recreational play. Programs are held once a week, usually in the evenings, from Monday to Wednesday at schools and community centres. Programs include recreational groups, co-ed volleyball, and competitive play.

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Photo by william.nguyen on Flickr