Mark has been playing kayak polo for 22 years, he has over 40 years of paddling experience, and has been playing and working with the U.S. Kayak Polo National team for the past 20 years. Mark trains over 15 hours a week. He was first introduced to the sport through Ezio Ambrosetti when Mark and Carolyn Petersen were setting up for Slalom races. Mark and Ezio became lifelong friends and founded the Austin Aquabats kayak polo cub in 1997.
Mark has played soccer for over 30 years and he has a white water slalom background. Mark also has experience with scuba diving, skiing, telemark skiing, cross country skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, skydiving, and paragliding. He has done every outdoor sport you can think of, but above all paddling and slalom are his favorite sports. “Kayak polo is fun, because it’s a challenging sport to learn, there are so many variables, and you are constantly learning. I learn something new every time I go out onto the water.”
Mark has worked as a school teacher, electrician assistant, landscaping, painting, carpentry, and outdoor retail. “Nowadays, I prefer to teach/coach kayak polo on a one on one basis, as opposed to a classroom of 30 plus students. I have found what I love to do.”
“My favorite part of kayak polo is playing with a team. Learning to work as one with your teammates is challenging and rewarding. Team comradery and learning each other’s habits is an incredible feeling. You learn to anticipate what is about to happen during a play. You not only see through your own eyes, but learn to you see through your teammates eyes as well.
Mark has played soccer for over 30 years and he has a white water slalom background. Mark also has experience with scuba diving, skiing, telemark skiing, cross country skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, skydiving, and paragliding. He has done every outdoor sport you can think of, but above all paddling and slalom are his favorite sports. “Kayak polo is fun, because it’s a challenging sport to learn, there are so many variables, and you are constantly learning. I learn something new every time I go out onto the water.”
Mark has worked as a school teacher, electrician assistant, landscaping, painting, carpentry, and outdoor retail. “Nowadays, I prefer to teach/coach kayak polo on a one on one basis, as opposed to a classroom of 30 plus students. I have found what I love to do.”
“My favorite part of kayak polo is playing with a team. Learning to work as one with your teammates is challenging and rewarding. Team comradery and learning each other’s habits is an incredible feeling. You learn to anticipate what is about to happen during a play. You not only see through your own eyes, but learn to you see through your teammates eyes as well.