The sport of tennis is getting a lot of attention in Okotoks this season.
Okotoks Tennis Club president David Dam said the club has seen a dramatic 25 per cent increase in membership, now boasting 200 members of all ages. This includes the popular junior club, which consists of 60 members under the age of 15.
“The sport itself is fun,” said Dam. “Families can come and play with their children.”
Dam attributeds the increase in membership to their recently reformatted website, a successful Junior Open House in May, local advertising and the club’s presence at First Saturdays in downtown Okotoks.
Dam said tennis is an easy sport to learn and is even simpler now with the club offering smaller courts, smaller racquets that offerallowing children and adults better control and low compression, larger balls, which make them easier to hit because they don’t travel as fast and have less bounce.
It’s all about learning the proper technique, he said.
“It’s pretty easy,” he said. “Anybody can get it.”
The club is introducing cardio tennis this year, which is an alternative for those who love the sport but don’t have time to play the game.
This unique exercise requires participants to move constantly for one hour and takes place Tuesdays and Saturdays, said Dam.
“It improves your cardio and improves your game of tennis,” he said.
Members of the Okotoks Tennis Club have the support of two instructors throughout the season. With Dam planning to earn his own instructor certification this year, the number will increase to three next yearseason, he said.
As a club member for of two years and board member forof three, what Dam says said what he enjoys most is the social aspect of the sport.
“A lot of beginners, even for adults, when they hear about a league they get intimidated,” he said. “Once they get out and play with us the better players make sure the beginners also have a good time and are able to hit an easy ball.”
Tennis can be played either competitively or recreationally, depending on the club member, Dam said.
To help improve their game members have unlimited access to a ball machine any time except during league play, he said.
The tennis season runs from early April until late October with leagues on Monday and Wednesday nights and drop-in on Thursdays.
Okotoks has two locations with a total of five courts.
The club hosts three tournaments including the Stampede Double Tournament held on July 21, the Roger Rookie Tour on Aug. 22 and the Leblic Open Tournament on Sept. 21-23.
In last month’s Stampede Double Tournament, 19 club members competed and took home first place in all three categories.
Michele Selk won the ladies’ doubles alongside Calgarian Donna Beech while, Andy Asplund won the men’s alongside with Lethbridge’s Lorne Pretzlaw and the mixed doubles alongside Birgitte Leblic.
To learn more about the Okotoks Tennis Club go to www.okotokstennis.com.
