Quick Start Tennis Train-the-Trainer Class Sept. 7

From the Orcas Park and Recreation District

On September 7 from 12:30 to 7 p.m.  the United States Tennis Association (USTA), Orcas Island Park and Rec (OIPRD) and the Orcas  Island Tennis Association will be hosting a train-the-trainer workshop for anyone over 16 years of age who is willing to receive coaching training in Quick Start Tennis.

Tennis experience is welcome but not required.

The training will be held on the newly repaired, resurfaced and repainted Buck Park Tennis Courts.

“We need 25 people, 16 years and older, who will participate in this half-day training,” says Vicki Vandermay, an Orcas Park and Rec District Commissioner. USTA is supplying certified trainer, Ted Sayrahder as  “coach” for this almost no cost workshop as well as donating equipment and materials for Quick Start to Orcas.  Even those with no tennis experience can become skilled at coaching via this method according to USTA promotional materials.

Scholarships are available; snacks are provided; school is out at noon on September 7. If it is raining on September 7, an alternative site has been arranged.

“Ted Sayrahder, the trainer for our workshop, is a nationally certified tennis specialist with over 30 years of tennis coaching experience, “continues Vandermay.   “In order for OIPRD to qualify for a training of this caliber we had to guarantee 25 island participants and we NEED about 10 more by the deadline of August 23.”

To sign up mail a $10 registration fee to Orcas Park and Rec, PO Box 575, Eastsound (if writing a check please make it out to Orcas  Island Tennis Association and send to the same address). For more information contact Vicki Vandermay at vickir@centurytel.net or phone Martha Farish at 376-6199.

Quick Start Tennis is a new format for teaching tennis. To make learning tennis easier the court size is reduced, the racquet size is different and the balls are slower bouncers. Completing the training will allow Orcas to begin to develop Quick Start teams, have a Quick Start curriculum in the school, and encourage older adults to start participating in an outdoor game they may have previously thought was beyond their skill or ability to start to play.

“Please support OIPRD and the Tennis Association’s efforts to bring more tennis to Orcas by signing up for this workshop,” urges Vandermay.  “Without the 25 volunteers the training cannot take place, so please sign up!”