Some of Seain Cook’s earlier memories in sport arrived at the familiar setting of Bell’s Sports Centre in Perth.
At that point, the former Breadalbane Academy student was not quite sure where the volleyball path would take him.
“Absolutely not” did he think that, many years later, he would be based in California and mixing with some of the world’s finest beach players.
But as Cook speaks to the PA from his new home in Hermosa Beach, that is indeed the reality and he harbours hopes of becoming a renowned name Stateside. One of the best.
“I was always more of a beach volleyball player than indoor,” Cook said. “We would go on holiday to Florida and I always liked playing.
“Where I live now is considered the Mecca of beach volleyball. You can cycle along the beach front and you’ll see an Olympian or world champion. It’s different out here.
“I’m looking to develop in America and become one of the best players on the national Tour, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals).
“That is what I really want to achieve and see how far I can take it.
“We’re in a really nice spot with the coaching and working – and we’re about to have a baby.
“That might be one of the things that drags me away from it!
“But I want to be one of the best in America and I think I’m well-placed to try make that happen.
“Moving out to America, you slowly develop and start winning tournaments. It’s been a slow progression and I’m always thinking what is the next thing I can go and achieve.”
Cook’s start to the 2022 season could not have gone much better as, earlier this month, he lifted the Panama City Beach title on the AVPNext Tour alongside Logan Webber.
“The end of last season, maybe September-time, was in California and I won what is claimed to be the oldest running beach volleyball competition,” said Cook. “That was a nice one.
“We went to Florida a month or two ago to practice and Panama City was then our first one of the season. It was my first big, big win in America.
“I’d won a lot of stuff in California but this was the first national level win. It was a $20,000 pot but later on in the season there will be events with $300,000 pots.
“I’m going to play with the same guy for most of the events. It’s good for me because it allows me to get my points up and I can keep winning money. That will put me in a good spot to move up into the next tier.
“As of May, the season really gets going. There will be something almost every weekend.”
Aside from playing himself, Cook is helping to train the next generation of beach volleyball stars.
“I coach for a high school called Harvard-Westlake, based in the north of Los Angeles and train at Santa Monica,” he told the PA.
“I also coach at the beach up from where I live – Manhattan Beach – with MBSand. They are one of the best clubs in the USA and are run by Patty and Mike Dodd who are legends of beach volleyball.
“Mike is an Olympic silver medallist and coaching for them is just great.”
The 30-year-old is picking up new memories every day and he already has plenty stored away, including representing Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast.
He teamed-up with Robin Miedzybrodzki to advance through the group stage and make the quarter-finals. “Something came up on my Facebook feed recently that my wife had recorded,” smiled Cook. “It was the game against Sierra Leone at the Commonwealth Games when we were down 13-14.
“We needed to win that game to get out the pool. Qualifying, playing with Robin, the coaching staff, being with Team Scotland, it was really amazing. It was awesome.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is just around the corner but Cook may well be back in Scotland colours a few years down the line.
Early discussions have been taking place about reforming the partnership with Miedzybrodzki for the 2026 Games, which were recently announced as heading for Victoria, Australia.
“I want to represent Scotland at as high a level as I can,” Cook noted. “Over here, everybody knows I’m Scottish and any time I get the chance to crack out my Commonwealth Games kilt, I’ll do that and will wear it to weddings.
“I don’t want to just go back to a Commonwealth Games – I want to get a medal.
“Robin messaged me the other day because the Games in 2026 is going to be in Victoria, Australia. He was like: ‘You want to go?’ So he is already trying to pre-empt me for that one. There are guys, like the US Olympians, who are playing in their 40s. Beach volleyball is way easier on your joints, so much nicer. Not every ball has to be hit hard and it can be more about placement.
“The massive demand is definitely having the cardio base and being able to run forever. That is a definite plus.”
For now Cook is preparing for a busy run of tournaments and is determined to work his way up the ladder in the sunshine.
But he will never forget those slightly colder – albeit enjoyable – beach volleyball experiences back home in Scotland.
