A few of Seain Prepare dinner’s earlier recollections in sport arrived on the acquainted setting of Bell’s Sports activities Centre in Perth.
At that time, the previous Breadalbane Academy pupil was not fairly certain the place the volleyball path would take him.
“Completely not” did he suppose that, a few years later, he could be primarily based in California and mixing with a number of the world’s most interesting seashore gamers.
However as Prepare dinner speaks to the PA from his new dwelling in Hermosa Seashore, that's certainly the fact and he harbours hopes of changing into a famend title Stateside. Among the best.
“I used to be at all times extra of a seashore volleyball participant than indoor,” Prepare dinner mentioned. “We'd go on vacation to Florida and I at all times appreciated taking part in.
“The place I stay now could be thought-about the Mecca of seashore volleyball. You'll be able to cycle alongside the seashore entrance and also you’ll see an Olympian or world champion. It’s totally different out right here.
“I’m trying to develop in America and grow to be among the finest gamers on the nationwide Tour, the AVP (Affiliation of Volleyball Professionals).
“That's what I actually need to obtain and see how far I can take it.
“We’re in a very nice spot with the teaching and dealing – and we’re about to have a child.
“That may be one of many issues that drags me away from it!
“However I need to be among the finest in America and I believe I’m well-placed to strive make that occur.
“Shifting out to America, you slowly develop and begin successful tournaments. It’s been a gradual development and I’m at all times pondering what's the subsequent factor I can go and obtain.”
Prepare dinner’s begin to the 2022 season couldn't have gone significantly better as, earlier this month, he lifted the Panama Metropolis Seashore title on the AVPNext Tour alongside Logan Webber.
“The tip of final season, possibly September-time, was in California and I received what's claimed to be the oldest working seashore volleyball competitors,” mentioned Prepare dinner. “That was a pleasant one.
“We went to Florida a month or two in the past to observe and Panama Metropolis was then our first one of many season. It was my first massive, massive win in America.
“I’d received quite a lot of stuff in California however this was the primary nationwide degree win. It was a $20,000 pot however afterward within the season there shall be occasions with $300,000 pots.
“I’m going to play with the identical man for a lot of the occasions. It’s good for me as a result of it permits me to get my factors up and I can maintain successful cash. That can put me in a great spot to maneuver up into the subsequent tier.
“As of Could, the season actually will get going. There shall be one thing virtually each weekend.”
Except for taking part in himself, Prepare dinner helps to coach the subsequent era of seashore volleyball stars.
“I coach for a highschool known as Harvard-Westlake, primarily based within the north of Los Angeles and prepare at Santa Monica,” he advised the PA.
“I additionally coach on the seashore up from the place I stay – Manhattan Seashore – with MBSand. They're among the finest golf equipment within the USA and are run by Patty and Mike Dodd who're legends of seashore volleyball.
“Mike is an Olympic silver medallist and training for them is simply nice.”
The 30-year-old is choosing up new recollections day-after-day and he already has loads saved away, together with representing Scotland on the 2018 Commonwealth Video games at Gold Coast.
He teamed-up with Robin Miedzybrodzki to advance via the group stage and make the quarter-finals. “One thing got here up on my Fb feed lately that my spouse had recorded,” smiled Prepare dinner. “It was the sport in opposition to Sierra Leone on the Commonwealth Video games once we have been down 13-14.
“We wanted to win that recreation to get out the pool. Qualifying, taking part in with Robin, the teaching workers, being with Crew Scotland, it was actually superb. It was superior.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Video games is simply across the nook however Prepare dinner might be again in Scotland colors a number of years down the road.
Early discussions have been happening about reforming the partnership with Miedzybrodzki for the 2026 Video games, which have been lately introduced as heading for Victoria, Australia.
“I need to symbolize Scotland at as excessive a degree as I can,” Prepare dinner famous. “Over right here, everyone is aware of I’m Scottish and any time I get the possibility to crack out my Commonwealth Video games kilt, I’ll do this and can put on it to weddings.
“I don’t need to simply return to a Commonwealth Video games – I need to get a medal.
“Robin messaged me the opposite day as a result of the Video games in 2026 goes to be in Victoria, Australia. He was like: ‘You need to go?’ So he's already making an attempt to pre-empt me for that one. There are guys, just like the US Olympians, who're taking part in of their 40s. Seashore volleyball is approach simpler in your joints, a lot nicer. Not each ball must be hit laborious and it may be extra about placement.
“The huge demand is certainly having the cardio base and having the ability to run perpetually. That could be a particular plus.”
For now Prepare dinner is making ready for a busy run of tournaments and is set to work his approach up the ladder within the sunshine.
However he'll always remember these barely colder – albeit fulfilling – seashore volleyball experiences again dwelling in Scotland.