The sand queen

By Mark Ashenden

DENISE JOHNS FACTS Born: 9 December 1978 Birthplace: Ettelbruck, Luxembourg Height: 6 ft 1in Education: University of Cincinnati Career highlight so far: 5th place in San Diego on AVP Tour

Sun, sea, pumping tunes and scantily-clad women (and men) jumping about on a beach with a ball.

This is not your average run-of-the-mill sport. Some loathe it, most love it, but a sport it is, a serious one at that, and it's in the Olympics.

It's beach volleyball and there is a good chance you may see one of Britain's hottest players near you soon trying to earn a living, as well as battling for a place at Beijing next year.

Denise Johns is now a full-time professional and for the next 14 months she will throw herself around the world's beaches, from Los Angeles to Paris, and Acapulco to, wait for it....Weymouth.

The 28-year-old, who has spent her life travelling between America and her adopted Britain, has just started a gruelling schedule of 32 World Tour events to gain ranking points, and a few dates in the UK on the Volleyball England Beach Tour and Urban Tour.

So why beach volleyball? Is it not just an excuse to slip into your favourite bikini, rub in some factor 8, knock a ball about and catch some rays?

"There is more to this game than the sun," Johns told BBC Sport. "I just love it. It's got athleticism, sex appeal and you play in amazing places.

"It's the most exciting sport in the world. I've played in the American Midwest and it's not always sunny there. I'll play wherever - whatever the weather."

A useful attitude for someone sharing her time between training in California with fellow Brit and playing partner Lucy Boulton and competing across the globe this summer.

This open minded and driven attitude is a product of a colourful and topsy-turvy life journey.

It's not like we're just out there - we are out there working our butts off Volleyball star Denise Johns

Born in Luxembourg (her dad is English), Johns then moved to San Diego, got her first taste of indoor volleyball on holiday, took it more seriously at high school, before pressing the volleyball pause button for further education in 1997.

"I went to college to focus on architecture. The volleyball team was too serious, so I joined the rowing team," Johns said.

Five years later an architecture firm secured her services in Atlanta, but the sand was soon calling.

And who better to resurrect your volleyball career than a singing legend/sensation/person? (*delete as applicable)

"After playing more competitively in the east coast tournaments I wanted to pursue the sport properly. There was only one place to go," Johns added.

"I was soon heading jobless to California in a Jeep Grand Cherokee I had won in a radio competition after picking out a random CD in a shopping mall. Thank you Celine Dion!"

It took Johns a year of hard slog in minor tournaments to qualify for the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour, but the battles had only just started.

"Being a professional doesn't actually mean a lot," Johns said. "Money was a struggle and I always used to work while playing volleyball - I was full-time for the first two years on the AVP Tour.

606: DEBATE Can a sport played in bikinis - the men don't wear much either - really be taken seriously? Mark A on 606

"You have to pay for everything - coaches, hotels, travel and sponsors are hard to come by. In 2005 I played in four tournaments in California and eight across the rest of America.

"The tournaments were tough and you had to win three games without losing just to qualify for the main draw. It was hard if you weren't working and not finishing in the top eight.

"Getting in the main draw was exciting, but your boss was never happy with all the time you took off."

So what is it like playing in California? Do all the stereotypes apply - cloudless skies, prancing on the sea front, skimpy clothing, stinky attitudes?

"Absolutely" according to Johns. "San Diego is more low key than Los Angeles but the tournaments are similar. The sun shines all the time, rollerblading on the promenade, bikini contests.

"L.A. is more showy. The Hollywood lifestyle is right there and people are fighting to show off their personalities. Your opponents can get quite aggressive."

It was the bikinis and music played during games that enraged the critics at Athens in 2004. It is criticism beach volleyball has endured since its Olympic introduction in 1996.

So is the sport over-sexed and over-hyped?

Johns showing off her aggression and athleticism

"We do play in bikinis and that's going to be noticed more than our athleticism sometimes," Johns said. "It is exploited in California with all the Playboy magazines handed out.

"If that gets more people watching and learning about the sport then great.

"It's disappointing when people think that's all there is to the game. But it can't take away how impressive and athletic the sport is. It is the toughest sport I have ever played in.

"It is one of the top female sports in America. You have the highest level of athletes competing. It's not like we're just out there - we are out there working our butts off."

Johns and Boulton (a nomination for FIVB Rookie of the Year in 2006) are rapidly gaining respect, particularly after an impressive victory last year in Thailand over the top seeds from China.

With the pair receiving full-time tuition from GB Performance Coach Jeff Alzina in California, extra funding and a new beach volleyball centre in Bath, the sport in the UK looks healthy.

"There is not a great depth to British beach volleyball but it's building fast," Johns added.

And thoughts on playing in the next two Olympics?

"I would like to think I can make Beijing. My only plan is to play as much as possible. The future is not in my hands - it's down to the GB head coach.

"But playing near Buckingham Palace in 2012 would be better than anything in the world."