Don Roy
Pickleball Instructor
PPA Certified

Offering pickleball lessons in the greater
Gig Harbor and Port Orchard areas.

Since you're reading this, I assume you have some interest in the great sport of pickleball. It's said that pickleball is the fasted growing sport in America if not the world. Recently I was in Vietnam and it's huge there. I think it's grown in popularity because it's an easy game to play but difficult to master. Plus, it's such an incredibly social game. Talk to anyone who has played this game for a while and they will tell you that some of their best friends were a made through pickleball.Hi, I’m Don Roy — a PPA Certified pickleball instructor — and I’m here to help you go from complete beginner to confident player on the public courts. I’ll guide you step-by-step through the rules, etiquette, fundamentals, and on-court strategies. Along the way, you’ll have a great time, stay active, and meet new friends who share your enthusiasm.Let’s get you playing!

Tournament Prep Lessons

Tournament Prep Lessons: Tournaments are always fun but they can be more fun if you're prepared. Tournaments should not be approached like you would a rec game. It's much different and that's one of the things that can make a tournaments so much fun.Tournament Prep Lessons are taught as a team. We will develop a strategy that attempts to highlights your individual strengths as well as hide your individual weaknesses.Topics covered will include 1) How to warmup 2) shot selection 3) partner communication and 4) court coverage as well as other commonly used strategies.

Beginners Group

Beginners Group Lessons is a great way to get quality instruction at a very affordable price. These lessons are for the beginner who has little or no experience with pickleball. I provide all the equipment. Lessons are very non-threatening and fun. You don't need to be a great athlete to play, just a great attitude. You'll be amazed how much fun you can have starting on day one.I see this approach as having many advantages. First, the obvious one is cost. Typically I charge $60 per one hour lesson. With a group, that cost is shared among the group. Second, you are learing with others who are in the same boat as you. Less pressure and a more relaxed atmosphere. Third, you'll develop a network of pickleball friends who you will enjoy for years.This is how it works:
1) Provide me your name and email address. I collect everyone's information and create one email list.
2) You tell me what days and times work best for you. I compile the days and times and decide on a few days and times that work best for the majority. The larger the group the more options.
3) Every Monday I post the days and times and you simply sign up for as many or as few lessons as you wish for that week that fit your schedule.
4) The cost is $15 per person based on a group of 4.

The next "beginner group" lessons will begin the first part of May.
Sign up now to reserve a spot.

Advanced Beginners group lessons

Advanced Beginners Group is designed for players who have moved beyond the beginner stage. Participants in this group are already comfortable with the rules and basic fundamentals and are ready to progress alongside others with similar skill levels.The focus is on refining essential shots and introducing foundational game strategies to help you take the next step in your development.Scheduling is flexible and coordinated based on group members availability. Lessons are $25 per person for a 90 minutes lesson based on a group of 4.

The next "advanced group" lessons will begin the first part of May!
Sign up now to reserve a spot.

Clinics

Clinics are typically a one day event that run for two or three hours with a focus on two or three specific skills.

Private / Semi-Private Lessons

Whether one-on-one or with a partner, private and semi-private lessons offer a more personalized, in-depth learning experience where I can devote my full attention to your individual needs.

About Me

I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and for the past 35 years I’ve made my home in the Port Orchard/Gig Harbor area. I hold both a B.A. and a Master’s degree in Physical Education, spent 25 years teaching pickleball to junior high students. After retiring in 2015, I began teaching pickleball to adults, an experience that has been awsome. I had forgotten what it's like to teach people who really want to learn. :)On a personal note, I first picked up a pickleball paddle in the summer of 1991, and the game has been a constant part of my life ever since. I’ve earned several gold medals at the 5.0 level, and although I’ve slowed down a bit, I still love competing at a high level. I hope to have the opportunity to share my passion for this sport with you someday.

Photo Gallery

Frequently asked questions

What equipment will I need for the lessons? Paddles and pickleballs are supplied. Once you are sure you want to continue with this amazing sport, you will want to purchase a paddle that works for you.Can I take lessons with friends or family groups? Of course! In fact, I would encourage it.What if I don’t love my first lesson? There is no obligation on your part to continue taking lessons.What if I have never played pickleball before? This is not unusual. Because the sport has exploded in popularity, a high percentage of my lessons are for total beginners. This is why I started the beginners group.How quickly can I expect to see improvement as a beginner? Of course that can vary from person to person but in the beginning there is a steep learning curve.What can I expect during a typical lesson? I usually follow a pattern: Warm-up, review skills taught in past lessons, then introduce a new skill. The last 15 minutes is dedicated to implementing the skills we worked on in a gamelike setting.How many lessons should I take? This depends on how quickly you want to progress. In a perfect world you would take a minimum of 2 lessons per week and supplement it with drills/practice on your own between lessons.Where do lessons take place? This can vary but typically they are held in a private indoor court located halfway between Gig Harbor and Port Orchard.Do I need my own paddle? I can supply paddles for beginners.How long are lessons?
Beginners = 1 hour
Advanced beginners = 90 minutesWhat is the cost for a 1 hour lesson?
*Group of 4 = $15 per person
*Group of 3 = $20 per person
* Semi Private (2) = $30 per person
*Private lesson = $60What is the cost for a 90 minute lesson
*Group of 4 = $23 per person
*Group of 3 = $30 per person
*Semi Private = $45 per person
*Private = $90

How to Contact me

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. If you want more information I can be reached at:

Email: [email protected]
Text: (253) 509-2219

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