first among them is fescobol, atennis-like game played with small solid-wood racquets and consisting of simply keeping the rubber ball in the air, in a cooperative, non-competitive manner. it is extremely popular on just about any beach in rio, and by law it is played after 5 pm, not to disturb others on the beach.

the beach tennis emerged in brazil between 1945 and 1946, in copacabana, after the end of world war ii. designed by lian pontes de carvalho, who lived in the building no. 1496, on the atlantic avenue, corner of duvivier street, now knocked down. the writer millôr fernandes, former beach tennis player, did a panel in copacabana in honor of the sport, which he calls 'the one with sportsmanlike conduct, without formal dispute, losers or winners.'

also carioca at heart is altinha, a sport based on trying to keep a football from touching the ground for as long as possible - with only one touch per player, by foot or head only.