John Child and Mark Heese are both just over six-feet tall and short compared to their opponents. They've compensated for that disadvantage at the net by developing a strong passing game to land the perfect shot. No one should switch channels if they fall behind by four or five points. The Canadians, nicknamed the The Crazy Defenders, are noted for their spectacular comebacks.

 "We have to work hard and manufacture everything we get," said Child. "But that's fine because when you're persistent it frustrates other teams." With two players aside the beach game demands strong all around skills and while they are slowed by 40 centimetre deep sand they are braver when diving for balls.

 Child and Heese make a good living playing beach volleyball. Each is in his ninth year on tour and has surpassed $300,000 US in career earnings. There best season was in 1996 when they cracked the $100,000 plateau. This year they've earned over $40,000.

2000 Games
Sept. 24: John Child and Mark Heese, Toronto, were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Brazillians Ze Marco and Ricardo 15-13 in a marathon 81 minutes.
Sept. 22: John Child and Mark Heese, Toronto, advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Mikhail Kouchnerev and Sergey Ermishin, Russia, 15-6.
Sept. 17: John Child and Mark Heese, Toronto, won opening-round match, 15-3 over Jean-Phillippe Jodard and Christian Penigaud, France


Photos
Child and Heese react to a point
Canadian John Child as a SUNShine Boy
John Child dives for the ball

2000 Games Beach Volleyball Coverage