- Author of The Perfect Guide To Acing Pickleball (500+ Five-Star Reviews)
- Certified PPR Instructor with 9+ Years Playing & Coaching Experience
- Specialist in Coaching Players 50+ to Improve Fast & Stay Injury-Free
- Creator of a Smart-Play System Focused on Strategy Over Power
Our Coaches
Head Coach
Mark Ianni
Coach
Russel Elefterion
- 16 years of pickleball experience
- Certified since 2016 (IPTPA, IFP 2018, PPR 2025)
- 36 years of certified coaching experience across multiple sports
- Worked with over 80 pickleball pros worldwide
Coach
Darlene Vendegna
- PPR & IPTPA Certified Pickleball Instructor
- 2023 Alameda County Woman of the Year (Sports & Fitness)
- Gold Medalist at the 2024 Maui Labor Day Classic
- Founder of Pickleball Programs at Claremont Country Club & East Bay YMCAs
Coach
Mark Wagner
- Winner of 4 out of 7 National Tour Tournaments at Men’s 4.5 (50+)
- Medalist at APP, PPA, and USA Pickleball Tournaments
- Former Top 200 Doubles & Top 300 Singles Player (ATP Rankings)
- Competed at Wimbledon, US Open, and French Open Multiple Times
Coach
Jorge Andrew
- 8+ Years Pickleball Coaching Experience
- 45+ Years Total Coaching Expertise
- PPR Coach Developer & International Master Professional
- 5-Time Hall of Fame Inductee
Coach
Dave Houston
- Nor Cal USPTA Division Hall of Fame Member
- Certified Pickleball Pro specializing in foundation building
- Expert in partner chemistry and communication strategies
- Master of the “copycat the pros” methodology
Coach
Timothy Ton
- 4 years of dedicated pickleball coaching experience
- PPR, IPTPA, and USAPA certified instructor
- Competed internationally in Mexico & Asia
- Featured onFox & NBC for pickleball excellence
Coach
Matty & MeiShen Klein
- 13+ Years Coaching (879 Clinics Taught)
- IPTPA/PPR Certified Instructors
- 30+ Gold Medals Across 75 Tournaments,
- Co-Taught 500+ Clinics & Founded Pickleball Programs in 3 Communities
Coach
Kelvin Holdrick
- 4 years of dedicated coaching experience
- 6 years of competitive playing experience
- PPR certified instructor
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winner in multiple tournaments throughout SoCal
Coach
Mark Knell
- 47+ Years of Racquet Sports Experience
- 4+ Years as Head Pickleball Coach at Westlake Athletic Club
- Built the Westlake Pickleball Program to Nearly 300 Members
- Coached the Westlake Team at Conejo Valley Tournaments
Coach
Dave & Tracy Wilcox
- Medaled in 50+ Tournaments Across 7 States
- Multiple Golden Ticket Winners to Nationals
- Regional & Super Regional Champions (Qualified for Nationals)
- Competed & Medaled from 3.0 to 5.0 in All Divisions
Alan Schwartz
- PCI Certified Pickleball Coach
- 30+ years of overall coaching experience across 7 sports
- Compete regularly at 4.5 level
- Specialize in mindset training
Coach
Jerry & Mary Downing
- Jerry Nominated to the St. Petersburg Seniors Hall of Fame for Community Impact Through Pickleball
- Certified Pickleball Instructors with Proven Training Methodologies
- Known as “Pickleball Secret Weapons” by Fellow Certified Instructors
- Builders of the Thriving St. Petersburg Pickleball Community & Red Cross CPR/First Aid Certified