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CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. -- The Pleasure Island Soccer Association held its fourth annual Sand Blast Beach Soccer Tournament at Carolina Beach Saturday and Sunday. The event attracted players from South Carolina, Virginia, and western parts of North Carolina.

"We felt that this would be a great way to bring resources and family and vacationers down to the island to enjoy the businesses, hotel and restaurants in a great event," said Mike Bennett, co-founder of the Sand Blast Beach Soccer Tournament and director of the Pleasure Island Soccer Tournament.

He added that he wanted to see a beach soccer tournament in the area after he witnessed a similar event in Virginia a few years ago.

"Not knowing of any sand soccer tournament in North Carolina we decided to start one on our own." said Bennett

Beach soccer is similar to traditional soccer but has three 10 minute periods with a five-minute break after each period. There are no goalkeepers and most teams feature four or five players. The dimensions of the pitch is approximately 35 meters long and 28 meters wide. The smaller field and less players can make the game faster.

"It's definitely more fun than regular soccer. It's a little different but definitely more fun." explained Davis Atkinson, a Laney High School Soccer Player.

The sand gives beach soccer players quite a workout because running and changing directions can be tiresome for the players, but the sand also affects the game action.

"The ball takes really weird bounces, you can never predict where its going to go," said Atkinson

The Pleasure Island Soccer Association credits 80 community business for supporting Sand Blast.