Testimonials
Strandside Beach has grown from a small movement into a trusted name across the sand. Families feel it. Athletes feel it. Coaches, pros, and schools feel it. Here’s what they’re saying.
"Private and team lessons with Eric have been invaluable as we prepare for the Olympics. He has helped improve my mechanics in all areas but defense especially. I wouldn’t say this for many but I can’t recommend Eric enough. His contagious energy paired with an elite, articulate volleyball mind make him the perfect person to effectively teach the entire game
- Miles Partain
"A massive thank you to strandsidebeach and Coach Eric for creating an environment where young athletes thrive. From elite coaching and one-on-one development to Friday competitions, pro match viewings, and team camaraderie, this program is truly one of a kind. Griff has not only become a stronger player but has also built amazing friendships along the way.Seeing the passion, effort, and joy on the sand every day is what makes this journey so special. And let's not forget-training with a sunset backdrop is always a win!If you're looking for a top-tier beach volleyball program that fosters skill, discipline, and a love for the game, @strandsidebeach is the place to be. Best decision we ever made for Griff!
-Stephanie Brown
"I can't say enough AMAZING things about Strandside and its coaches. My son spent one summer training with Coach Eric and his team, and they made such a positive impact on him. They were literally a game changer. He was never into sports, and after Covid we had a hard time getting him to leave the house. Strandside changed all of that. He started by going once or twice a week, to wanting to go everyday. Coach Eric not only taught them drills and technique, but communication and strategy. I also can't say enough good things about his coaching style... fun and kickback, but at the same time teaching the kids discipline and dedication, respect and court etiquette, empathy and team-manship, and also just to be good, positive human beings. The whole staff were an inspiration, building strong players and characters too, on and off the court. Once summer ended, Cooper was about to start his first year at Mira Costa High School, and he kicked off his first week by making it onto their competitive Boys Beach Volleyball team! Thank you Coach Eric and Strandside for making this happen! We look forward to being a part of the Strandside family for many more years to come!" - Christie Kawada-Tanju
Grayson got in the car today with a huge smile and said he had his best day ever at practice! I can’t thank you guys enough for making volleyball so rewarding for him and teaching him so many lessons that are also helping him grow so much off the court. I have seen such a shift in confidence and work ethic in him and I am so grateful! Thank you thank you for being such an incredible coach and role model to the kids!
-Annie Tainter
You guys are so in tune and engaged with each kid and have created a safe place for them to be themselves, have community and become great players. It's rare to see kids this age blend so beautifully, be this kind, and get along this well. It's what I was hoping for our girls to get through club volleyball, but it's not been the case. And I KNEW the day we met you guys at the beach, you were different. You're building something really special, and you are hands-down the BEST coaches the girls have ever been lucky enough to have. THANK YOU for checking in! THANK YOU again! - Jenny & Casey Johnson
“Eric is one of the brightest minds in the beach volleyball community and I’m stoked for all of the juniors players that have the opportunity to work with him. I have had the privilege to play with and be coached by Eric. I can personally vouch for his hard working nature, love for the game, and the brilliant perspective they bring to an ever evolving sport. Strandside will be a powerhouse for years to come!"
-ANDY BENESH
Coach Eric and staff have something special with Strandside. Their passion for the game is infectious and their dedication to teaching builds confidence and love for the game. Initially we looked at beach volleyball as a great way to cross train for the summer, but through the organized trainings we saw how quickly the skills started to build. In today’s youth sports to see a focus on true development is a rarity and when your child begs you to take him to training it’s awesome! After watching just a few practices, you can see through their trainings the emphasis on encouragement, hard work, respect and FUN! Could not recommend Strandside enough and look forward to seeing your brand everywhere, you are definitely doing it the right way.
-Sam Contreras
Kaeli and I are a brand new partnership that signed up for our first FIVB challenge event. We got in at the very last minute, which is so exciting but also surprising. Obviously that is an opportunity we could not pass up, but I live in California and Kaeli lives in Florida, so we had little opportunity to train together. The week before the event, we practiced against a few teams and with other coaches but there was still something missing from our game together. So, we scheduled a film session with and a practice with Eric for the last couple days before we left. Kaeli and I easily gained more out of one film session and one two-hour practice with Eric than we did practicing the entire week before. Eric was able to break down every individual aspect of our game and give us the reps and direct, constructive, and positive feedback to help us understand our own strengths as individuals and as a team. This helped us be able to form strategies to use our strengths against other teams. Not only did Eric help us with our physical skills, but he also addressed our mentality and language that we use on the court.At this level mentality is everything. We left our practice with Eric feeling confident in our abilities as individual athletes and as a team to communicate, execute, and win which is priceless when breaking into a new level in volleyball. Thank you!! -Delaney Peranich
Eric is a very professional, focused, and well spoken coach. Not only were his practices unique and clearly planned for a purpose, but he made me see a new perspective in my game, highlighting my individuality like no coach ever has. Eric made me see that I didn’t have to be perfect in the general volleyball sense of how the game “should” be played, but how to use MY tools and MY strengths to be the best and truly believe it. If I was living in LA, he’s the coach I would be working with hands down.
- Amy Ozee
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for helping me. Just finished with a 5th in the challenger and played honestly the best I’ve played all season. I passed dimes and was hitting really well. I know you have so much on your plate but you taking the time to coach me.
- Deahna Kraft
Hi Eric, Charlie, our grandson, loves your VB Club. We have been able to watch some of the lessons- very impressive what the group is learning and the camaraderie you have developed among the players. Thank you for including Charlie.
- Cindy V
I liked how it was competitive and at the same time fun. I also learned so much from only 2 days of playing!
- Becket Bost
