Tennis, the sport of a lifetime, doesn’t take a lifetime to learn.
My tennis playing parents introduced me to the game early and I now look back with gratitude at the many, many fond and exciting chapters in life tennis has provided me.
It’s not too difficult to sell the game of tennis as an instructor. Today’s game includes shorter, lighter racquets and slower, softer balls. Combining this with the graduated length principals of the court, allowing students to progress only when they feel comfortable in the rally, is a great recipe for success. This progressive tennis style builds confidence and leads to more engaging rallies and tends to captivate students in the long run. Parents that come to watch their kids participate enthusiastically in lessons are sure to find themselves thinking: “How about me?”
Tennis can quickly become one of those sports where you find the full mix of grandparents, parents and kids all playing on the same court.
Also, this year-round sport has many solid attributes other than its physical components, these include social and travel opportunities. Programs abound in the city, none greater than the selection at Recreation Oak Bay. Try family night drop-in Saturdays from 6 to 7:30pm starting Jan 18. Kids are $5 and one parent is free. Check out details at recreation.oakbay.ca.
If there is a sporting cause that you would like to rally for, why not try tennis?
Ed Bakker began swinging a racquet at age 11 and is the tennis coordinator and instructor for Recreation Oak Bay.