Next up in the roster of incredible coaches that will be joining us out in Gran Canaria in the new year, is Mark Garcia-Kidd! Mark Garcia-Kidd is an ex-Team England athlete, Deep Dish Venues Manager, and seasoned beach volleyball coach.
Have a look at our interview with Mark to get to know him before meeting him out in Gran Canaria!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BEACH VOLLEYBALL CAREER
I dabbled with playing here and there, I’ve played on our home tour (UKBT) for far too long and played internationally for England for a few years, even winning a few matches along the way. I am only interested in one tournament for next year and that's the Club Champs. Aiming to retain and who knows? maybe get the club into the Club European Championships.
WHAT'S YOUR HISTORY WITH DEEP DISH VACATIONS?
I coached at the first portugal camp 10 years ago, that was the start of my coaching journey. Since then I think I’ve been involved with every one of Deep Dish’s events and vacations as a participant or leading on them.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-CAMP WORDS OF WISDOM FOR PLAYERS COMING OUT TO GRAN CANARIA?
It's a brilliant camp, it's small and personal. You get a flavor of coaches and from what I can see some great friendships are forged. One of my highlights from last year was watching sweet Jeffacake who stole the show and the campers' hearts. By the end of your time in Gran Canaria you’ll have created some great memories with new people and enjoyed your volleyball in some winter sunshine.
WHAT IS A LIFE-CHANGING BOOK/MOVIE/QUOTE THAT YOU HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO OTHER PEOPLE?
I have a few quotes I’ve come across but one of my favorites is from a book called the “The Boy, The Fox, The Mole and The Horse”. It goes...
“I can’t see a way through” said the Boy, “Can you see the next step?” “Yes” “Then just take that” said the horse.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DRILL OR SKILL TO COACH?
Defense day is the best day of camp, and also gives me the chance to hit a few hard balls at those who have poke fun at me throughout the week haha, a humbler of a day. I do enjoy the coaching setting as it was the last thing that clicked for me as a player so to share that with others brings me a lot of joy when it clicks for other players.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THE GRAN CANARIA CAMP?
Warm weather, good volleyball and some great people.
WHY SHOULD PLAYERS OR COACHES JOIN THE DEEP DISH GRAN CANARIA CAMP NEXT YEAR?
Get some winter sun, improve on your volleyball skills and forge some great memories in GC. I’ve got some great memories of playing basketball in between sessions for hours and none of us getting any better, but laughing the whole time. I have a great video of one lowlight that is my favorite. If you ask me I’ll happily share.
DO YOU HAVE AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT FROM CAMP OR THAT HAPPENED WHILE PLAYING BEACH VOLLEYBALL?
Trying to play basketball is one of them, or tripping over the service line on center court in Montpellier, France at a world tour event and ripping the corner out with me as I fell, still not sure how I did it.
We're so excited to see you all in Gran Canaria 2024!
If you missed the chance to join us out there, there are still a few spaces left on our Portugal Camp in April & May of 2024!