We Help Dayton Get Even Better
Meet Our Pros!
Lessons are offered for beginners through the most advanced players.
Natalia Alekhova
Natalia has over 20 years of tennis pro experience.
Natalia is a Junior Doubles National champion in Russia in 1994, where she was ranked nationally in the top 5 for ages 12-18. She made it to the Russian National Championship semifinals where she lost to Elena Dimentieva in 3 sets. Natalia played Division 1 tennis for University of New Mexico where she was a two time academic all American. She ended her career at New Mexico with the 2nd highest winning performance in school history.
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I first time picked up pickleball paddles January 2022 on a winter family vacation in Florida since we forgot to bring our tennis racquets. I got hooked fast. I love Pickleball community in Dayton. Everyone was very friendly and provided me with tips.
It is a fast paced, mentally challenging, fun game where you exercise your patience and playing a chess game.
I learn new things every day!
A tip for everyone: remember to stretch before and after, drink plenty of water and have fun!
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Natalia teaches a pickleball drill at Five Seasons on Wednesdays 11:30am-12:30pm. She also is available for group or private lessons!
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Al Pico
With over 40 years of teaching experience, Al brings to pickleball a level of fun and high energy. As tennis professional Al has worked with adults and juniors from beginners to advance. Al is certified in Etcheberry tennis strength training, Sanchez/Casal high performance “The Spanish Way “, and Cardio tennis. "I apply my experienced in tennis the same way I play pickleball. Basic fundamentals like grips, stroke efficiency, foot work and the drive to be the best is what I will share to my students. The love of racquet sports like tennis, racquetball, table tennis or even pickleball keeps our body physically and mentally strong. I will take your pickle ball game to another level at the same time having fun!"
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937-776-8459
Five Seasons Sports Club
John Grimley
Places of Work:
The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center & Kettering Tennis Center (KTC) and Quail Run
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Memberships: USAPA and PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry).
Nationally Certified Pickleball Coach through PPR.
Year Started Pickleball: 2015
Skill Level: 4.0+
Areas of Expertise:
1. Coaching, teaching, and instructing all interested persons from beginners to the highly advanced in pickleball. Emphasis is put on skill development, strategies, and a thorough knowledge of pickleball rules and protocol.
2. Days of the week open for instruction: Sunday through Saturday. Does attend Church of the Messiah in Xenia 10:30-12:30 on Saturdays so those times for PB instruction are out.
3. Develop and run PB tournaments.
4. Organize and conduct beginning through advanced clinics.
5. Organize and run ladder leagues.
6. Invented the two-full-court (side by side) 4-square pickleball game which is currently being run at the Kroc Center gym the 2nd Friday of each month from 5:00-7:30. All are welcome. Members are free; non-members pay the $3.00 visitation fee.
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Jeff Jett
My name is Jeff Jett. I’ve been playing Pickleball for 3 years. I have a 4.5 DUPR rating and I currently compete at the 4.5 level in tournament play. I’ve recently acquired PCI certification for coaching/teaching. I have been coaching and teaching at some level vocationally and in sports for over 20 years. I love working with first time players through to the novice level. I can coach individual, pairs, or small groups. Let’s Go!jeffjett22@gmail.com
James Lawson
I’ve been playing Pickleball at a very high level and have medaled in many major tournaments over the years, including the US Open in Naples, Florida, the PPA Baird Wealth tournament in Mason, Ohio last year, and many others while competing in singles, men’s, and Mixed doubles events.
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I’m a licensed, insured, and certified instructor having taught many people with varying skill levels from beginner to advanced. I provide Pickleball lessons at $35 for private one on one lessons and have done lessons for groups up to 8 people.
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937-418-7126
Gamma Pickleball
Derek Johnson
PPR Certified
Schedule lessons online for singles, beginner, or intermediate!
Derek came to pickleball in 2020 with two years of high school tennis and hundreds of, maybe 1,000+, hours of table tennis experience over the last 20 years. Over that period, he has coached youth soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. After competing in triathlons (Ironman Boulder 2014, National Age Group Championship Olympic distance 2022) for the last 10 years, he's come to appreciate that your best performance greatly depends on the form you use and the strategy you employ. He provides these tools so you can advance as quickly as possible. If you are here to jump from beginner to intermediate to advanced, you're in the right place.
937-371-8149
foundationpickleball.com
Ohio Pickleball Academy
The Pickle Lodge is the home of the Ohio Pickleball Academy.
With the best certified instructors in the region, we help beginners learn to play and advanced players maximize their game.
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Call the Lodge at 513-252-2579 to schedule a time.