Chaim Schalk

Chaim Schalk (born April 23, 1986) is an American beach volleyball player. Schalk placed ninth at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Chaim Schalk grew up in Red Deer, Canada. He has four competitive brothers. He grew up learning how to fight and work for everything (including food at the dinner table). Chaim started playing volleyball at age of 12. He and his brothers erected a makeshift net in their backyard. After picking up beach volleyball, he pestered his father to build a sand court where he and his high school friends could play. His father arranged for a truck to dump the sand, but he and his friends had to level it out. Chaim credits the backyard beach court for taking him from just enjoying the game, to wanting to really pursue it. He also won two National Championships with Red Deer College. Owing to his dual citizenship, he was required to sit out international competition for a period before he could officially compete for Team USA.

Since that time, Schalk has participated in various events on the AVP Tour and in FIVB competitions. His results include:

A win at the AVP Seattle Open in 2019 and a title at Hermosa Beach in 2022, along with several podium finishes on the World Tour. A fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIVB World Championships in Rome with partner Theodore Brunner. A series of partnership changes, including teaming up with Tri Bourne in 2023 and with James Shaw in 2024.

Schalk is currently preparing to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.