I know everyone has played that very slow player on the tennis courts. It feels like you are aging as the match marches on. That is not the aging that I want to talk about, though.

When I was young, I loved to run around the tennis court. I always kiddingly said I was faster than a car. I could literally run the ball down from almost anywhere. That speed was what I built my tennis game around. I could stay on the baseline and run down ball after ball until my opponent failed, or serve and volley over and over until my opponent was sick of seeing me put volleys away at the net. 

Flash forward a few years, and the speed somewhat leaves you. But the experience you’ve gained through the years enables you to cut more balls off with better angles. That experience helps you to be smarter in every aspect of play. Your shot selection improves. You learn some shots aren’t actually worth running for. You learn to pace yourself for the long haul. Experience and strategy replace incredible speed as your weapons on the court.

Keep flashing forward in your tennis career. Now you have injuries or body parts that don’t allow you to play like you once did. Speed is just a memory. You tell your body to run, to move faster, but it just doesn’t work. But now, all the years later, you have developed a lob and a drop shot. You have developed an attitude and, together with your newfound weapons, you get to make your opponents run instead of you doing all the work. You can now move the ball around all over the court. Players call you “crafty” and a few other names, but you take all references as compliments now. 

And now, you truly love the game. You always did enjoy it, but time really does give you an appreciation for the game that is just wonderful. It has given you health, success and failure, and you now know how to deal with it all. It has given you lifelong friendships. It may have even given you a lifelong adversary, that one player you just loved to beat or could never beat. 

Aging through your tennis career is a true journey. I hope you all learn to enjoy it as much as I have. Even in the latter stages of your career, you are able to learn new things. Learn new stretches. Learn to focus better. Learn to relax both on and off court. You can keep growing. How many things in life let you do that as you age?  It is a wonderful, lifelong game. Keep swinging!

Schedule:

Tennis Eye Opener Clinics, Mon-Sun. 8 – 9 a.m., Mon.-Thurs. 9-10 a.m., and Mon-Thurs. 10-11 a.m.

Tennis Round Robins, Fri.-Sun. 9 -10:30 a.m.


Intro to Pickleball, Mon. 10-11 a.m. (except holidays)

Courts are open for play daily 8 a.m.- dusk. Please call (850) 231-2214 to reserve courts, book lessons or sign-up for clinics and round robins. Find 30A TENNIS and SEASIDE TENNIS on Facebook for weather updates, news and events.

Pickleball has arrived! A year and a half ago, Seaside built its very own pickleball courts. Three new hard courts were built on the site of old Court 1 for tennis. Although one tennis court is technically enough room for four, we spread out three courts in the space. We also have a shady viewing area for players and spectators.

I am a die-hard, old tennis pro. I have to admit, however, that the new courts are bringing us new clients we would have likely never met without pickleball. The game is more user friendly than tennis. First, the court is smaller, so less movement is required. The net is also lower, and the ball is slower, so in general less running is needed. Unlike tennis with its learning curve, pickleball is a game participants can typically play immediately.

Rules are the big challenge. You can’t step into the kitchen, the area closest to the net, for volleys. You have to serve underhanded and cross court. You have to allow the return to bounce. You have to be serving to win points. And then in doubles play, both servers serve before it is side out. It’s not completely complicated, but different enough to confuse the first-time players. Just come do our Intro Clinic or a schedule a private lesson. Our Pros will explain it all and teach you how to play.

What I love seeing are the new pickleball players. Some have never played any racket sports at all. A new activity is always a challenge, and I think most of the time it’s fun. We have had multiple groups come in for play and lessons. Different abilities blend very well in pickleball. Bachelorette groups seem to be our new biggest market. We’re also hosting pickleball events for corporate retreats, family reunions, wedding-weekend festivities and for any group that just wants a fun activity while in Seaside.

This fall, due to popular demand, we will be expanding our pickleball programming. We currently have an Introduction to Pickleball Clinic each Monday from 10-11 a.m., and starting after Labor Day, we will conduct more advanced clinics and round robins. We are also offering pickleball group packages. Check with us in the Pro Shop for the new pickleball schedule.

The bottom line is Seaside has added a new activity for you. Call or come by the Pro Shop to book time for your new Seaside memories. See you on the courts!

Schedule:

Tennis Eye Opener Clinics, Mon-Sun. 8 – 9 a.m., Mon.-Thurs. 9-10 a.m., and Mon-Thurs. 10-11 a.m.

Tennis Round Robins, Fri.-Sun. 9 -10:30 a.m.

Intro to Pickleball, Mon. 10-11 a.m. (except holidays)

Courts are open for play daily 8 a.m.- dusk. Please call (850) 231-2214 to reserve courts, book lessons or sign-up for clinics and round robins. Find 30A TENNIS and SEASIDE TENNIS on Facebook for weather updates, news and events.

When I arrived in Seaside almost 23 years ago, one of my first memories was of the kids. They were everywhere. All ages. All being chased by a sibling or a parent. It is no different now. Family trips are a Seaside tradition.

And tennis is a huge part of that tradition. I have actually known some of these families for that long. I have taught three generations of some families in my time here. It’s truly a wonderful experience to have these prolonged friendships.

I will apologize up front to all the families I miss in this article. I don’t have photos of them all, but I have incredible memories of them here at Seaside Tennis. The family grudge match. The siblings bickering. The parents attempting to teach their non-listening child. The teenager beating their parent for the first time. It has all happened here.

I have had children do their very first lesson here. Sam went on to play college tennis. Braxton is now one of my teaching pros. So many of them still play and now have their children playing. Talk about full circle. Tennis can, and does, add so much to so many families.

I always tell parents – who think I’m kidding – “Beat them while you can, if you can!” There comes a day in a lot of families where the child surpasses the parent in all aspects of tennis. Kids are sponges. You tell them or show them how to improve, and they absorb it. Then their talent grows and they’re better. It is just life.

This is a big thank you to ALL of the families that have come over the years and continue to come. I love to see you on the courts and all over Seaside having your family fun. You mean more to us than you know!

Schedule:

Tennis Eye Opener Clinics, Mon-Sun. 8 – 9 a.m. and Mon.-Thurs. 9-10 a.m.

Tennis Round Robins, Fri.-Sun. 9 -10:30 a.m.

Intro to Pickleball, Mon. 10-11 a.m. (except holidays)

Courts are open for play daily 8 a.m.- dusk. Please call (850) 231-2214 to reserve courts, book lessons or sign-up for clinics and round robins. Find 3