OVA News

In volleyball, there are many of paths you can take to achieve success. That’s what makes being involved with volleyball so much fun, there is no magic formula that says if you follow these five steps you will experience success. However there is one path that works more often than not, surrounding yourself with good people. Garrett May’s career is proof that if you are around the best players and coaches you have nowhere to go but up.

While Garrett was growing up his father, was running the Labatt Beach Pro Tour through his brand Amotion. While Garrett was starting to be exposed to beach volleyball he was surrounded by the highest level of competition in Canada and many of the best players to ever represent Canada. As Garrett grew up he began playing indoor club volleyball at his high school Birchmount Park C.I and for a club team called Crush. He played beach with friends from both teams. Over Garrett’s seven years of beach and six years of indoor he has worked with some of the best coaches in the country including John May and Ahren Cadieux at Crush, Bill McKay at Birchmount and Mark Heese on the beach, just to name a few.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Garrett: My dad was the biggest reason for me starting to play beach. After he retired from playing, he ran the Canadian Pro Beach Tour; so when I was younger I was around beach volleyball all the time. I was 12 when I played in my first beach tournament. Back then it was just for fun and to try it out; I could have never guessed that I would be where I am today.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Garrett: Beach volleyball is such an amazing game and it’s so fun to play but what I love the most about it is the intense competition that takes place in the beach game; it’s just you and your partner against the other two guys. I love playing the game within the game. The moment that you and your partner come together after making a great play is the most exhilarating moment in the world to me.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Garrett: There are so many advantages to indoor players who play beach. I think the biggest is how much it improves your ball control. You are put in a position every rally where you need to pass or to set, which is something you can’t get in the indoor game. On the beach every weakness is exposed, so it can help you become a better all-round player.

OVA: Did playing in Youth Open help you prepare for your Indoor Season?
Garrett: Playing in the youth open definitely helped to prepare me for my indoor season. I was exposed to a higher level of competition every weekend; I was forced to play teams that I wouldn’t normally be put against. It was a great opportunity to learn to deal with the pressure of teams who don’t give up and keep coming. It also helped my confidence. I was playing against players who were potentially five years older than me, so when I transferred to the indoor game, I felt that much more prepared.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Garrett: I would say just get out there and play. I found that what really helped me to get better was to just play whenever I could. Play your age division, play an age up, play both days on the OVA tour, just play as much as you can and you will get better.

OVA: What was it like playing at U19 and U21 Worlds? How do they compare to OVA events?
Garrett: Being able to play at both world championships this year was such an honour. They were both such incredible experiences. Every game I played I felt like a pro. It was my first and second tastes at international competition, so I learned so much about the game, how it can be played and how much work is required to be great at it. In the OVA, we play the same teams every week, but at worlds there were so many new faces, all of whom could give any team a run for their money. Having the announcer on center court say your name every time you made a great play was cool too.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next five years?
Garrett: I see beach volleyball in Canada soaring to new heights! The way things are going now, I think we’re going to see way more players involved at an earlier age, which will hopefully lead to medals at the youth world championships (and hopefully one this year too!). I’m really impressed with the core players on the national team this year and I think we can start to see some results on the world tour.

Garrett has always been supported by his family. John May’s reputation in the sport speaks for itself, and it is always great to talk to Brenda May at every event. The interesting thing to see with the May family is whose trophy case will be the largest when their careers are over. Garrett’s younger brother Reed is not far behind following the family’s path of success through the sport.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Garrett: My favourite moment from playing beach volleyball happened over a weekend. One weekend, almost two years ago, I decided to play a tournament with my dad in the A1 men’s division on Saturday, and with my brother, Reed, in the 16U boys division on Sunday. It was such a fun weekend of volleyball, seeing my dad come out of retirement to play with me and being able to play with my brother. We ended up winning both tournaments without killing each other in the process.

We would like to thank Garrett for his help with this article. Congratulations to the Birchmount Panthers for winning back-to- back quad A OFSAA Championships. Good luck this season on the beach and with Crush as you prepare for Provincials and National Championships.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | 416-426-7233 | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org