Violeta Slambakova and Tambre Nobles made a memorable impact at the Ios Futures tournament, celebrated not only for their athletic skills but also for the joy, warmth, and resilience they displayed. This American pair journeyed from Florida and North Carolina to Greece, bringing their five children along to compete on the Beach Pro Tour. Starting in the qualifiers, they successfully advanced to achieve a top-10 finish, earning widespread admiration on the island for their accomplishment as athletes and as mothers navigating competitive sport.
Interview Insights
On choosing Greece: They explained their decision was simple – Greece is stunning! It`s not just an excellent location for Beach Volleyball but also a wonderful destination for families. The children thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and the playing conditions were ideal, particularly the wind, which suits their style as “windball players.”
Their tournament experience: The athletes praised the event`s organization, describing it as “excellent,” “very smooth,” and well-communicated. They had a positive experience from beginning to end.
Reflecting on their 9th place finish: While acknowledging the desire to always go further, they expressed immense pride in their achievement, especially as it was their first tournament playing together this year. They viewed the entire journey as incredible, filled with wonderful memories for their families.
The challenge of travel with family: Admitting it was difficult (“Oh yes!”), they recounted issues with sold-out flights that required them to travel on different days. However, they emphasized their determination, stating, “You do what you have to do.”
Balancing motherhood and competitive sport: They described this balance as anything but easy, stressing the vital need for support – “it takes a village.” They rely heavily on their husbands, extended families, and everyone who contributes to making their participation possible. One of the biggest challenges is finding time to recover. Unlike other players who rest after matches, they often finish playing only to immediately attend to their children (“go chase kids around the beach!”).
Hopes for returning to Ios: They eagerly stated they would “absolutely” love to come back next year. They were captivated by the warmth, kindness, and joy of the local people. The family-friendly environment and perfect playing conditions in Ios “really captured our hearts.”
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood