PANAMA CITY BEACH — There were some serious airheads at the beach Tuesday as about a dozen spring breakers demonstrated a new sports craze known as “Bubble Soccer.”
After gaining popularity in Europe, Bubble Soccer — a sport in which participants wear inflatable, human-sized bubbles — is starting to make its way to cities throughout the U.S., including Panama City Beach.
After seeing the sport played on a music video about a year ago, local couple David and Michelle Nunez started working on a business plan for LOCO Bubble Soccer, a Bubble Soccer equipment rental company they launched in the area last week.
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“We saw this video and we wanted to try it,” Michelle Nunez said. “It’s something unique and really fun.”
Unlike regulation soccer, Bubble Soccer encourages players to hit each other, an action that often leaves one player rolling on their side, while the bubble provides a protective cushion for the impact.
On the beach Tuesday, David Nunez led groups of college students visiting from the Midwest recruited from the hot tub at Laketown Wharf in several games using the bubbles, including four-on-four soccer, “save the whale” and “fight club.”
During fight club, easily the crowd favorite, team members from two teams were each assigned numbers from one to four. When Nunez called out a number, those assigned that number went head to head to see who could stay on their feet the longest.
Nate Nowakowski, a student at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, came out as the winner for the “free for all,” an every-man-for-himself battle to see who could stay standing.
“That was a ton of fun,” Nowakowski said, still trying to catch his breath. He said the sport is one he definitely would participate in again if given the chance.
Carolyn Bell, a student at Indiana’s Ball State University, said the sport was a harder workout than she was expecting.
“That was very tiring but a ton of fun,” Bell said. “That will definitely be my only workout for Spring Break.”
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Michelle Nunez said Panama City Beach’s strong visitor base and promotion of all things fun makes them think the sport will take off in the area. She said the activity is perfect for corporate events, fundraisers, birthday parties, reunions and other events.
Through LOCO Bubble Soccer, customers can choose a rental package and the company will set up the equipment and also provide an event coordinator/referee to lead games and help out if needed.
“What’s nice is the whole family can play,” Nunez said. “What I love, it just makes everyone laugh and smile.”
