Private Lessons & Coaches in Santa Cruz, CA
These coaches teach at top ranked spots and have great lesson fulfillment & student reviews.
I played tennis at an intermediate level in my younger years, winning a few trophies along the way. I picked up pickleball during the pandemic and have since competed in about five tournaments, earning a bronze medal in singles and a Silver in doubles. I mostly focus on improving my game and sharing my passion for pickleball through coaching. As a certified PPR coach, I teach players of all ages, from kids as young as 5 to seniors in their seventies. I’m currently the personal pickleball trainer at the East Valley YMCA, where I love helping others discover and enjoy the sport.
"Steven’s patience and flexibility helping me build real muscle memory, and the lesson left me eager for more progress, especially as highlights sharpen my form.
Steven
I’m a former math teacher and former tech exec turned pickleball enthusiast. Over the last couple of years, I’ve invested a massive amount of time studying the sport and breaking it down into its foundational pieces in order to teach myself how to excel at the game. In that time, I’ve gone from an absolute beginner to an advanced level player - I play at the 4.5+ level, I’ve won multiple medals in tournaments, and I’ve earned a Professional Coach certificate through PPR. In addition to independent coaching, I am also the lead pickleball coach at Bay Club Redwood Shores & Broadway. I am truly energized by teaching others everything I've learned about this sport. As a former math teacher and Harvard alum, I take an academic approach to coaching: lessons are planned in advance, skills are broken down into steps, there are opportunities to practice and make mistakes, and I provide written notes and videos post-lesson to solidify your learning. As a former tech leader, my coaching involves giving direct and timely feedback, relying on first principles to guide lessons, and adapting quickly to optimize your learning. Thank you for considering me and I hope to see you on the courts soon!
"Alan is fantastic. Focuses on the right skills and progression.
Alan
Meet the versatile coach who has made a name for himself in the world of Pickleball! Having played tennis and collegiate volleyball in the past, he discovered his true passion for Pickleball during the pandemic and hasn't looked back since. With a talent for teaching the game to both adults and juniors, he currently coaches in small groups and one-on-one sessions while also leading junior clinics at a local club. Tom is PPR certified as a coach. Get ready to experience lightning in a bottle with this dynamic coach!
"Tom is a great coach and gave me great tips and feedback and the lesson was lots of fun too.
Tom
With a quarter-century dedicated to the art of tennis, I cultivate both skill and a lifelong love for the game. My experience as an experienced player allows me to bring unparalleled insights to my students, from novice to advanced. I create personalized strategies that spark growth and confidence.
"The lesson with Jasmine was quite helpful. She paid close attention to my daughter’s goals and provided clear feedback. They worked on backhand and she is getting more confident. I think we’re ready for a bit more challenge in the next sessions to keep her progressing.
Jasmine
Serve up success and master tennis skills with a top rated instructor! Subscriber students get access to exclusive tennis academy community. Chat with fellow students, ask questions with pro coaches, learn from in-depth yet bite sized courses, participate in local clinics and events, and many more!
"Great energy and plenty of patience!! I can’t thank Coach Jap enough for my progression so far!
Jay-Ar
Hi! I’m Craig-a skilled instructor and patient teacher of golf, dedicated to helping students of all levels improve their game and enjoy golf:) I’ve competed in amateur tournaments around the world, gaining valuable insights along the way. My experience allows me to customize lessons for each student’s needs and skill sets. I have learned how to get each student, regardless of skill level, to square the club-face through impact which is the most important aspect of the golf swing. My Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from Purdue University allows me to explain concepts in a way that my students understand. My goal is to empower each player to their full potential and ensure my students reach their individual goals. I truly look forward to hearing from you:)
"Patient instructor with excellent experience
Craig
Highly talented basketball coach with 25 years of coaching experience and 7 years of high school and college playing experience. I'm dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering a love for the game. I provide personalized guidance to help players reach their full potential, on and off the court.
Joe
With 35 years on the pitch, I'm dedicated to helping players of all levels elevate their game. I am also a seasoned middle school, high school, and junior college coach. Also, I am a Prep Soccer National Scout and ID Soccer Camp Director. As a soccer scout, I provide coverage and make player evaluations at the high school and club levels. I've completed over 500 evaluations and evaluated players on the U.S. Youth National teams as well as top youth players in the nation. Helping players get to the collegiate level is one of my main goals. My passion for soccer translates into tailored coaching, fostering skill development and a lifelong love for the sport. I aim to make learning fun. Players at all levels are welcome.
"Thank you Prep Soccer & Robert Almasin for the article mention! NorCal is stacked with talent, and I’m grateful for the chance to compete and play alongside such great players. At Prep Soccer Girls ID Camp:NorCal 2024.
Robert
Thirty years as a player with multiple tournament wins on US West coast amateur events. I've played and practiced with professional players. Active tournament player monthly. Former club champion and multiple NCGA winners in 2021. Won NCGA event at Lake Merced, 2017 Troon Challenge, and 4-time qualifier of CourseCo annual event since 2013. Retired Navy and Cal grad. Let's hit the range!
"My lesson with Keith was quite helpful, especially because of how he broke down my swing and pointed out small adjustments that made a difference. Still, I think there's room to refine my approach further. It’s not an overnight fix. Still, the lesson definitely gave me some useful insights to work on. If you're after practical advice grounded in real golf terms, Keith is worth a try.
Keith
Embark on a transformative tennis journey with me! As a former pro athlete with 27 years of playing experience, I'm passionate about fostering growth and igniting a love for the game in players of all levels. My coaching philosophy centers around a blend of technical refinement, tactical awareness, and mental fortitude. Let's unlock your full potential together!
"Honestly, I was pretty impressed with Alessio’s ability to quickly identify my issues and give clear guidance. I learned some key foundational things that I think will really help my tennis. Though I still need to work on my forehead positioning and troubleshoot my backhand, I feel hopeful about my progress. Definitely worth trying if you're new and struggling to improve.
Alessio
Hey guys! I am a PPR certified Pickleball coach with years of experience teaching the game I love! My mission is to guide you in honing your skills, both on the physical and mental fronts. I can help beginners get a quick start so they can play games with their friends or help advanced players hone their skills and strategies to become a future tournament winner.
"That lesson really highlighted some key positioning tips that I hadn’t thought about before, which was helpful. I feel more confident moving forward. Corinna’s approach makes it easy to focus on specific aspects of my game without feeling overwhelmed.
Corinna
For three decades, I've had the privilege of refining swings and shaping golfers, drawing on my experience as a college coach. My passion lies in making the complex simple, helping you unlock your potential with proven techniques and a touch of humor along the way. Let's get you playing your best golf yet! Bob Wang brings over 30 years of coaching expertise to help golfers of all skill levels improve their game and reach their full potential. He is certified in advanced swing analysis technologies, including SportsBox AI 3D analytics software, V1 Sports pressure mat, and Hackmotion wearable sensor technology, allowing him to provide cutting-edge instruction that integrates data-driven insights. His personalized lessons are tailored to each student’s strengths and learning goals, focusing on building strong fundamentals, improving performance, and enhancing the overall golf experience. Fluent in both French and 中文, Bob welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and offers an inclusive learning environment. In addition to his teaching skills, Bob is a highly trained club fitting expert, having completed professional training at Golf Galaxy. He incorporates equipment optimization into his coaching, offering comprehensive swing evaluations with video and pressure mat analysis. An active 8-handicap golfer, Bob blends technical precision with practical experience to deliver dynamic, engaging instruction. Passionate about personal growth and lifelong learning, he has successfully guided hundreds of students to improvement and success. Bob is currently on staff at Golf Galaxy and Mariner Point Golf Center, where he continues to share his dedication to golf education. let me know if that looks good. just rewrote in 3rd person and highlighted skills / credentials
"Bob is awesome! Expert coach with tons of experience, knowledge and technology to help dial in your game.