22 Pickleball coaches & instructors for lessons in Santa Cruz, CA

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.

"thank you coach Steven. I learn alot on my first day. I appreciate your patient to teach me and correct my mistake on my first day. I would recommend coach Steven

Stepping onto the pickleball court, I discovered more than just a game; I found a passion for teaching and sharing its joys. As an experienced player, I bring a year of dedicated coaching and a fun, approachable teaching style to every session, ensuring you learn and improve while enjoying every rally.

"That lesson gave clear, practical pointers and a solid plan for real skill growth, and I felt the bite-sized insights stick, Informative, indeed, so I’m eager to build on that progress.

Let’s make pickleball the best part of your week. I bring experience, energy, and a love for the game to help you build confidence, improve fast and have a great time doing it!

"Oh, I was pretty pleased with the lesson with Natalia. She really helped me see some nuances in my pickleball game I hadn’t noticed before, especially around shot placement.

As a certified Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) Pickleball Coach, my primary focus is helping intro and beginner players build confidence, develop foundational skills, and fall in love with the game in a positive and supportive environment. What sets me apart is my ability to combine high energy, patience, encouragement, and community-building with a modern approach to coaching. I understand that many beginners can feel intimidated stepping onto the court for the first time, so I focus on creating an experience that is welcoming, engaging, and fun while still teaching proper fundamentals and strategy. With a background rooted in leadership, relationship-building, and innovation, I bring a people-first coaching style that emphasizes: * Confidence building * Positive energy and encouragement * Beginner-friendly instruction * Communication and connection * Fun, movement, and community * Long-term player development My mission is not just to teach pickleball it’s to help people discover a healthier, more social, and more connected lifestyle through the fastest-growing sport in America. I’m especially passionate about: * Coaching newbies and first-time players * Women entering the sport * Family-friendly instruction * Social and community-focused pickleball experiences * Growing the game in an inclusive and approachable way Through coaching, events, and community engagement, I aim to inspire more people to get active, build friendships, and gain confidence both on and off the court. “Serving with Heart.” 💜

Whether you have never picked up a paddle before, you are just getting started, or you are looking to sharpen your game - I would love to help you on your Pickleball journey. No experience needed, no pressure, just fun :) My goal is simple: make Pickleball accessible so everyone gets a chance to try this amazing sport. I am a PPR Certified coach with a 4.0+ DUPR rating. My lessons and clinics help players build confidence and progress from beginner to intermediate and advanced levels.

Hello, my name is Justin Telmo, and I am passionate about helping people at all levels improve their pickleball game. My approach to coaching pickleball is to break large concepts down as much as possible in order to establish common fundamentals that can be applied to as many things as possible. I have experience coaching racquet/paddle sports to players of all ages and various skill levels. I am open to individual lessons, group lessons, as well as video review sessions to help you improve.

"Well spoken, broke down my mistakes, recapped the lesson to work on what I learned

I’m passionate about helping players build solid fundamentals and confidence on the court. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a strong athletic background, I focus on strategy, movement, and consistency to help you play smarter and stronger. Whether you’re brand new or chasing tournament wins, I’ll tailor each session to your goals. Let’s take your pickleball game to the next level!

"I’ve been taking lessons for a few months now and have improved more than I expected. The sessions are well structured, challenging, and focused on strategy and consistency. The coach pushes me to get better while keeping it fun. I’ve gained confidence in both singles and doubles play.

Hey there! I'm Akash and I've been playing and teaching Pickleball for over 5 years now. I'm not only an experienced instructor, but also a 4.5 rated player. I love working with players of all levels, whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your skills! I have been giving lesson to all kinds of players and am deeply committed to seeing that people have fun and fall in love with the game of Pickleball. My Coach - Tanner Tomassi What Can Pickleball Teach You about life? (See link below) https://teachme.to/blog/pickleball/what-will-pickleball-teach-you-about-life

"Great feedback and great energy!

Patient Experienced Pickleball coach focuses on helping beginners and intermediate players of all ages improve their game. Let me help you take your game to the next level and have a great time doing so! + Knowledge/Experience with a variety of paddles. + Students may demo high quality paddles during lessons. + Volair Ambassador 10% discount on all Volair merch using code vvpb.

"Excellent coach. Viet is knowledgeable, patient and encouraging.

Pickleball has become one of my favorite ways to connect with people, stay active, and have fun, and I love helping others experience the same thing! As a PPR Certified Pickleball Coach and mental health therapist in training, I focus on creating a supportive, encouraging, and judgment-free environment where players feel comfortable learning and growing. Whether you're new to pickleball or looking to sharpen your skills, I'll meet you where you're at and help you build confidence on the court. Together, we can work on specific areas of your game through personalized lessons tailored to your goals. My goal is not only to help you improve your game, but also to make sure you enjoy the process along the way!

"I have a tennis background but it was hard for me to transfer the skills to the dinking and drop shots. Coach R helped me develop the soft game very effectively!