For five days each summer, Gstaad's ice rink disappears beneath hundreds of tonnes of sand as the world's best beach volleyball players descend on the Bernese Alps. It is one of the most unusual settings on the international tour….and one of its most beloved.

This year's Swatch Beach Pro Gstaad once again delivered world-class sport, packed crowds and an electric atmosphere. Yet behind the spectacle stands a man who has quietly shaped the tournament for more than a quarter of a century.

For tournament director Ruedi Kunz, the 2026 edition carried special significance. It was the first since his retirement after almost twenty years in the management of the Gstaad Sports Centre, yet stepping back has done little to slow him down. After 26 years leading Beach Pro Gstaad, his enthusiasm remains undiminished.

Building something that lasts
The tournament began in the late 1990s as an ambitious idea shared by Kunz and a handful of colleagues. Turning that vision into reality required considerable faith. To help finance the event, Kunz sold his own IT company, an investment that many considered risky at the time.

Today, Beach Pro Gstaad is the longest-running tournament on the Beach Pro Tour and consistently ranks among the players' favourite stops on the international circuit.

Ask Kunz what has kept the tournament successful, however, and the answer is rarely about sport alone.

He speaks instead about teamwork, trust and long-standing relationships. Many members of the organising committee have worked together for decades, while sponsors and volunteers have remained loyal year after year. That sense of continuity, he believes, has been just as important as attracting the world's elite athletes.

Despite its international reputation, maintaining strong local roots has always been equally important. Affordable tickets, community involvement and hundreds of volunteers ensure the tournament remains as much a regional celebration as a global sporting event.

Another successful edition
On court, the 26th edition once again showcased the highest level of beach volleyball.

The women's title went to Americans Kristen Cruz and Taryn Brasher, who captured their third consecutive Gstaad crown after defeating fellow Americans Megan Kraft and Kelly Cheng in straight sets. Their combination of Brasher's dominance at the net and Cruz's defensive brilliance proved decisive throughout the tournament.

In the men's competition, Dutch pair Stefan Boermans and Alexander Brouwer fought back after losing the opening set to Americans Trevor Crabb and Chase Budinger before claiming victory in a dramatic three-set final. For Boermans, it marked a return to the top in Gstaad after previously winning the tournament in 2021, while Brouwer celebrated his first title in the village.

Swiss hopes ultimately fell short of the podium, but there were encouraging signs for the future.

Olympic bronze medallist Nina Brunner, returning to competition after becoming a mother, reached the quarter-finals alongside Tanja Hüberli, achieving the best Swiss result of the week. Another highlight came from the young Swiss duo Luc Flückiger and Andrin Kolb, who caused one of the tournament's biggest upsets by eliminating former Gstaad champions Marco and Esteban Grimalt in qualification.

Looking ahead
Although officially retired, Kunz shows little interest in slowing down. Alongside his continued work with Beach Pro Gstaad, he remains deeply involved in Swiss ice hockey, serving in several leadership roles and contributing to the organisation of this year's IIHF World Championship.

His sons, Nils and Tim, are already active within the Beach Pro Gstaad organising committee, ensuring that a new generation is preparing to carry the event forward.

Kunz jokes that he may not leave his family much of a financial inheritance, "but plenty of sand."

With the Beach Volleyball European Championships coming to Gstaad in 2027, the foundations he helped build over the past 26 years appear stronger than ever. For players, spectators and the village itself, Beach Pro Gstaad has become far more than an annual sporting event; it is one of the defining fixtures of the Alpine summer.

based on AvS | Maxime Vögele | Jonathan Schopfer