Tobin Wazzan is a pickleball coach who teaches at Portola Springs Community Park, which features six lighted dedicated pickleball courts open to the public. He also serves as a USA Pickleball ambassador for Irvine and works with players of all ages and abilities.
How did you become a coach?
I started like 99% of the people – during the pandemic, when everybody wanted to find an outdoors game. I played tennis before, and I’ve won championships in Ping-Pong, so racket sports came really easily to me. It was a time when people needed instruction. I stepped up, got certified, and that was it.
What makes pickleball so appealing?
Definitely the social aspect. People just love to have fun. They’re welcoming, inclusive – everybody’s smiling. In tennis, you’re too far away to talk. But in this sport, you already have a partner right next to you, and your opponent isn’t that far either. It’s easy to get a chat going while playing.
How do you view Irvine’s pickleball courts?
Irvine really stepped up the level of courts being built. Every time they build courts, they’re state-of-the-art. This is a standard you don’t really see anywhere else.
What’s it like playing at Portola Springs?
It really is relaxing to play here. You feel the air, the breeze coming through. It’s just an open space and a beautiful, beautiful place.
Adult pickleball lessons, private pickleball lessons, Disability Services Pickleball For All and Irvine Team Pickleball League are all available at Portola Springs Community Park. Visit yourirvine.org to sign up for these classes and more.
