KHAO LAK, THAILAND

Warriors BV, Vic Beach & VBVA 

present 

ASIA CAMP 2024!

We're doing it! In September 2024 Warriors BV, Vic Beach and VBVA are coming together to put on one of the most excitingly awesomest, funnest and enjoyingablest training camps ever created in the history of beach volleyball camps.

 It's happening at Robinson Club in Khao Lak, Thailand from Monday the 9th - Saturday 14th September, 2024 and you're all welcome! 

We have some great deals on accommodation, merchandise has been sorted, and as soon as camp entry closes (25th July), an itinerary, with times for each level. Scroll down for more information. 

KHAO LAK, THAILAND

Roughly an hour north of Phuket, driving along the Andaman Sea coastline, you'll find Khao Lak; where the mountains meet the sea... and villages are filled with chilled villagers. The water is warm, and every day sits between 24 and 29 degrees. 

Yeah, September on the Andaman Coast is traditionally a 'wetter' month but, in recent years climate change has stepped in and dropped the average rainfall well below previous years. Not to mention the bulk of us will be coming from the glorious 10-12 degree temps that usually accompany a Melbourne September.     

ROBINSON CLUB 

KHAO LAK

This is where we will be holding the camp. The Robinson Club is considered one of the best hotels in Khao Lak. It's huge! Best bit... the off-season prices make luxury affordable!

In their words: 

Located by the clear waters of the Andaman Sea, Robinson Khao Lak features a full-service spa and 3 outdoor pools set in peaceful tropical landscapes. The hotel is 1.6 miles from Pak Weep Beach in Khao Lak National Park. Buffet breakfast and 6 dining options are available. 

Robinson Khao Lak is a 30-minute drive from Tublamu Navy Golf Course. It is 12 mi from Takua Pa market town and 52 mi from Phuket International Airport. Free parking is available. 

The spa offers relaxing menus of traditional massages as well as private treatment villas. Other leisure options include a fitness center, a wide variety of sports and the adventurous excursions to the nearby national park.  

But really, what you all need to know is...

They have two purpose-built beach volleyball courts WITH LIGHTS! We can game it out well past dark.

MONDAY 9TH - FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2024

We will be arriving at the Robinson on Sunday 8th September. For those joining us on the Sunday, we'll have a social hit in the evening.

We'll have a more specific training itinerary once we have numbers confirmed. But for now, training sessions will run twice daily, in the morning and late afternoon, giving you the entire day to enjoy the hotel, beaches and other local options. 

Please note, the sessions are not mandatory. If you have planned a day trip somewhere and can't do a session, let us know. We're all good. The bottom line is, we want you to have fun.

As for the training, this is the basic layout:

TRAINING

(Monday 9th September - Friday 13th September)

7:30am - 10:30am (7:30-9/9-10:30) 1.5h training sessions for each level & game play

5pm - 7pm training sessions

7pm - 9pm Game play (optional) 

SOCIAL

 We will offer a range of touristy stuff in between - think hidden waterfalls, Village night markets, snorkelling, an elephant sanctuary, wandering through the national park... climb a mountain. The hotel offers a whole bunch of cool stuff to do, and also has a kids section for anyone bringing some little ones.

It'll be fun! Join us...

INTER-CREW 

MEGA TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Here are the current details for accommodation at The Robinson, through Agoda. The direct deal with the resort has expired, but the pricing through Agoda and Booking.com are actually as good as or better. Below is a screenshot of the pricing as of 13/05/24. As you can see, they are great prices. If you are on your own and want to share with another player, let us know, as we have a few people also looking. For other accommodation options, Isara Khao Lak and Garden Villa are both close by... but don't look quite as nice. Message us if you have any further questions.

We're going to have regular updates on flight sales etc. We will also have more info on other ways to get to Khao Lak from Phuket (if your hotel doesn't offer a shuttle... Robinson Club does, if you were wondering). 

You may need to mix it up to find the best option for flights now. Jetstar direct flights must be close to full for certain dates. But, if you go one way with Air Asia, you can get back with Jetstar or another. Either way, the price trend is going up, so get in soon.

Please note the below prices are subject to change, and almost certainly do not include seating and potentially checked baggage etc.  

Current options (as of 11/07/24)

HKT - Phuket | MEL - Melbourne | SIN - Singapore | KUL - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Red - price increase since last update | Green - Price decrease since last update

Purple - The best option... seriously!

Air Asia

MEL to HKT One stop (Kuala Lumpur). Prices start at Thu 5th $259 | Fri 6th $259 | Sat 7th $259

HKT to MEL One stop (Kuala Lumpur). Prices start at Tues 17th $406 | Wed 18th $369 | Thu 19th $368

Singapore Airlines

MEL to HKT/HKT to MEL One stop (Singapore). Prices start at Thu 5th to Mon 16th $1004.91 (return)

MEL to HKT/HKT to MEL One stop (Singapore). Prices start at Fri 6th to Tue 17th $1027.91 (return)

Jetstar (one stop)

MEL to HKT/HKT to MEL One stop (Singapore). Prices start at Thu 5th $287 | Fri 6th $277 | Sat 7th $308

MEL to HKT/HKT to MEL One stop (Singapore). Prices start at Tues 17th $382 | Wed 18th $528 | Thu 19th $288

Jetstar (direct)

MEL to HKT Direct. Prices start at Thu 5th $420 | Fri 6th $386 | Sat 7th $ ---

HKT to MEL Direct. Prices start at Mon 16th $ --- | Tues 17th $408 | Wed 18th | $ --- Thu 19th $288

Note: Jetstar is the only carrier flying directly through to Phuket. It is NO LONGER the cheapest option. We're flying with them. If you don't mind where you sit, and can travel light (7kg), you're looking at potentially $600 return! If you need any help booking, let us know. 

Scoot

MEL to HKT One LONG stop (Singapore). Prices start at Thu 5th $313 | Fri 6th $291 | Sat 7th $296

HKT to MEL One LONG stop (Singapore). Prices start at Tues 17th $420 | Wed 18th $287 | Thu 19th $287

Do you have to stay at The Robinson Club?

No. We have alternative options above, for those on a budget. The two we have named are the closest to the resort that we could find. The deals The Robinson have offered are great rates. The above room booking details - through Agoda - will be updated regularly.

-----

What is the estimated budget you should expect for the camp?

This depends on who you fly with, when you plan to arrive and leave, whether you stay at the Robinson, how you get to Khao Lak from Phuket (taxi, minibus etc), insurance, airport parking... there is potentially a bit to look at. We will be aiming to arrange carpooling up to Khao Lak, as well as best insurance options and other miscellaneous costs. But, if we go the most cost effective options, this would be it: Fly with Jetstar on one of the cheaper days, and travel light. Let them assign a seat. Currently there are return options as low as $556. Get a standard double room at Robinson with breakfast for two, and share with another, as they have both a double bed and sofa bed at $944 for 7 nights (so halve this amount). Carpool the travel up and back (we'll arrange this in the whatsapp group in the coming months... but assume about a max $50 each return. Add in the camp cost $700, and miscellaneous expenses to about $250... and you could do the entire trip for under 2k. 

-----

Is this camp OK for beginner/intermediate level players? Or are you expecting only advanced level players?

This camp is for all levels. We will have sessions catering to each level - beginner/intermediate/advanced. Gameplay under lights, in the evenings will be social... so, you can play wherever you feel you best fit in.

-----

Do you need a visa for Thailand? Should we get insurance?

If you're an Australian or European Union citizen, you are granted two 30 visa's on arrival for all tourism related travel. We recommend you purchase travel insurance. You may find you have it as a benefit of your credit card, or with your current health insurance. We will have some travel insurance options, in the soon to be announced Whatsapp group.

-----

Will training be similar to Sunsets/Saturday sessions?

In that 'fun, make sure you enjoy the training', kinda way... yes. But, this will be five straight days of double sessions; they will be more structured, with rotating coaches, so you'll get all our wisdom.

-----

So, a deposit confirms a spot?

Yes. For now, all you need to do to confirm your place is to PayID or through the QR code link. Please be aware that we have passed on the service fee for the credit link. There is no service charge for a PayID payment. FULL PAYMENT FROM 1ST JUNE.

-----

What is the capacity of the camp?

32. As we only have two fantastically well maintained courts to train on, this number is kinda strict. 

-----

Does the camp fee include accommodation, food, flights?

No. The camp fee includes ALL group training sessions, the Saturday inter-crew event and merch. Flights, accommodation, travel insurance, food etc. are all separate.

-----

Is the 'inter-crew' tournament a compulsory part of the camp?

No. The inter-crew tournament is a fun way to end the camp. It will be a morning tournament so, if you need to get back to Phuket for a Saturday evening flight, you can. In fact, if you have too large a night and forget where you're staying... and miss a session, that's ok too. We want you to have as much fun as possible, while also enjoying an intensive training program.  

-----

Is training compulsory?

No. We know this camp is as much a holiday as it is a training camp, so if you want to go on a day tour and it leaves early... you can miss a training session. You may go out for the day and want to continue it into the evening, you can miss a session. We want you to have fun, and get better while doing it.   

-----

If training is in the morning and late afternoon/evening... what do we do during the day?

Whatever you want! Treat it like a holiday. Cos, it kinda is. We will have a bunch of touristy things on offer - think visiting the Khao Lak Elephant sanctuary, up in the mountains; travelling into the local markets - you can choose to join in on, or not. You could pool hop... the Robinson has five of them! Play tennis, soccer, hang on the beach, swim/snorkel in the Andaman Sea. Enjoy the warmth.

Here are some slightly embellished answers to actual Google search questions about Khao Lak...

Is the Khao Lak weather good or poo in September?

September — Hot, with potential rain bursts.

"Sunny days interspersed with occasional rain in the first half of September in Khao Lak. The off-season ensures it is a little quieter, and the cost of good hotels is cheaper. There will be more rain in September than in August, but overall, there will still be more sunny days than rainy days in September. There will be more people complaining about the weather in November than in October. There will be less people asking why there are more people complaining about the weather in December than in November. You're looking at an average of 28 degrees in September."

----

How do you get to Khao Lak?

Plane from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Australia to Phuket International Airport, then get a minibus, car or a tuk tuk north. 

Scroll down for flight options.

----

Is Khao Lak in Phuket?

No.

----

Is it OK to wear shorts in Khao Lak?

It depends on the attractiveness of your kneecaps.

----

Should I bring toilet paper to Thailand?

Many toilets in Thailand don't use toilet paper to clean up, instead using the “bum gun”.  We are leaving that one alone.

We will add more frequently asked questions right about here... as those questions come in.