Lessons, Mentors & Ambassadors

Lessons are available by booking online in the Member and Non Member Portals

Ratio of 1 instructor to 1-8 students maximum
Arrive 10 minutes prior to your lesson start time (no sooner)
Check in at the front check in desk
Leave immediately after your lesson has finished

For Group Lessons, Log into your Member Portal and select "Register for Adult Programs" to see what lessons are available

Ambassadors:

*HOW can they help me?

They will help you meet other players at your playing level!
When needed, they will ‘introduce’ you to other VPA members to help you navigate through questions

*WHO are they

Refer to the Ambassador Committee list under VPA Info Committee

*HOW to connect

LOG-in to the VPA MEMBERSHIP site
Scroll down to the Player Directory
SEARCH for their name, send an EMAIL or TEXT to get started.

Mentors:

*WHO are these Mentors?

The difference between a MENTOR & INSTRUCTOR is that a MENTOR is not ‘certified to teach pickleball'
Mentors have demonstrated a SKILL-SET that is aligned with Player Development’s ‘progressive learning program’
They VOLUNTEER their time because they are passionate about the sport.
REMEMBER and respect that you will need to work around their schedule for these sessions

*HOW can they help me?

Players best suited for these sessions are those that have game experience and ready for the next level of execution
They will help you transition your game by watching or playing a few games and offering positive feedback that aligns with VPA's progressive learning programs!
Cost will be $0.00 (ZERO) per person AND will consist of ONE-THREE sessions
You will get 2 hours of court time, court fees apply if you do NOT have a monthly pass
MAX group size will be 8 VPA members!
YOU do NOT need to find a group before reaching out; your MENTOR will place you in a group!

*HOW to connect

LOG-in to the VPA MEMBERSHIP site
Scroll down to the Player Directory
SEARCH for their name, send an EMAIL or TEXT to get started.

Mentor BIO’s:

Micheal Epp

Michael has been featured on Pickleball Central, engineered the Canadian made COMBAT paddle AND is a 5.0 rated player with multiple medals at provincial, National and International tournaments.

He is willing to MENTOR a small group of VPA members who are CURRENTLY playing at a 4.0 - 4.5 TOURNAMENT level who are ready to do the work to reach the next level in Tournament play.

**These sessions are for ADVANCED players only and will consist of on-court coaching & strategies**

CONTACT MICHAEL to get your NAME on the waiting-list for this opportunity!

Cell / Text: (250) 863-2021
Email: eppmichael@hotmail.com

Private Lessons

Adult

To book a Private Adult Lesson with one of our Instructors, please review their profiles below and email the desired instructor

Note: All fees are plus applicable court fees

	Private	$75 per person / hour
	Semi-Private	$45 per person / hour
	3 in a group	$30 per person / hour
	4+ in a group	$24 per person / hour

Junior

To book a Private Junior Lesson please review Beck Hackman and Botts Botterill profiles below and email the desired instructor

	Private	$45 per person / hour
	Semi-Private	$30 per person / hour
	3-6 in a group	$19.50 per person / hour

Instructor Bio's

Beck Hackman

Beck Hackman is an IPTPA Certified Instructor. She may be MINI, but she is MIGHTY. Specializing in player development amongst all ages and skill levels. Teaching fundamentals of the best practices to help develop new skills.
Owner and operator of BottMan Sports. Dedicating her time to the growth and development of Pickleball. Her mission is the 3 F's (FITNESS, FRIENDSHIP & FUN)

Cell / Text: 250.307.7415
Email: bottmanpb@gmail.com

Botts Botterill

Botts Botterill a high-performance player and coach that is also PPR Certified with Pickleball. He enjoys coaching all levels/skills/age and is enthusiastic about raising the level of play for Pickleball. Botts Focuses on Court IQ/ Shot Selection, Play Strategies & Technique. He will transform your game at any skill or age level.
His career as a professional athlete (CFL) has led him to high successes in the pickleball community. He has spent countless hours on developing a youth program. Funding local schools to get the kids active, motivated, and excited about the sport.

Cell / Text: 250.864.8854
Email: bottmanpb@gmail.com

Kristina Lidster

Kristina is an IPTPA Certified Level I & Level II Instructor as well as a Level 5 Certified Rating Specialist and 5.0 medal winning competitive player. Kristina works with players of all ages including juniors where Kristina has worked hard to start the first junior program in the Kamloops area.

Kristina has a keen coaching eye to help dissect and breakdown stroke mechanics, shot selection, court positioning, and strategy. As an instructor, Kristina focuses on the fundamentals to ensure every student has a strong base to grow and develop their skills for long term growth. Proper practice makes progress.

Owner of MAK Racquet Sports, Kristina also uses her strong knowledge of paddles and paddle technology to help fit players with a paddle and equipment which will suit any player's style, preference, and budget.

Cell / Text: 250.377.1370
Email: kristina.lidster@gmail.com

Melody Fischer

Melody Fischer is an enthusiastic IPTPA Certified Level II Instructor & IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist. She plays at the 4.5 level and has applied her knowledge, experience and passion coaching others in AB, BC and Arizona.
Melody resides in Salmon Arm but travels throughout the Okanagan during the Summer and in Arizona during the Winter.

Cell / Text: 780.618.5403
Email: r-m@telus.net

Roberta Meakin

Advanced Tournament tennis gave Roberta skills which later transferred into Pickleball in 2011. At the 4.5 level, she won 3 Silver medals at the Canadian Nationals in 2013 & 2014. Roberta quickly advanced to 5.0 after winning back to back Gold's at Canadian Nationals in 2015 & 2016.

Roberta is a NCCP Pickleball Certified Instructor and a member of Pickleball Coaching International. She is a highly experienced and sought after teacher of 10+ years throughout the Okanagan Valley from Osoyoos to Vernon. She enjoys introducing the game to Beginners but also specializes in working with Intermediate to Advanced level players in Private and Semi-Private lessons, which she has been running successfully in West Kelowna. She was previously a Classical Ballet instructor for 20 years and uses her keen eye for movement detail in her instructing/coaching work. She created a program in 2020 called Drills and Play to help all players advance in level as well as running group Clinics at her recreation centres in Peachland, West Kelowna and Penticton.

Roberta is looking forward to helping the VPA membership at the Intermediate to Advanced levels in Private or Semi-Private lessons. Lets work on your game, correct bad habits or get you into tournament shape! While not teaching pickleball you can find Roberta at Pickleball Depot in Kelowna helping players find equipment to suit their needs.

Cell / Text: 250.490.5241
Email: mmballet@hotmail.com

Brett MacPherson

I am a Selkirk Sport sponsored player, PCI (Pickleball Coaching International) certified instructor and an active tournament player in 4.5-5.0 level. As well as a VPA instructor, I am also the Head Pro at Lake Country Pickleball Club where I reside in the summer months.
I share a huge passion for the sport of pickleball and love being an ambassador for the game by helping students improve their skills and game strategies to work towards accomplishing their pickleball goals.
I also specialize in paddle fitting and can get you the right paddle for your game (just ask).

Cell / Text: 250.309.4043
Email: brettmacphersonpb@gmail.com