What’s not to love?

Classes at Salishan Tennis Center are a net positive

By Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

“Oomph.”

As I hit the ball, it flies satisfyingly over the net toward my partner. As they continue to throw the balls, I return each one while unintentionally making the strange sound.

“Oomph.”

I am giving it all I’ve got, strangely competitive in the nothing-but-supportive environment at the Salishan Tennis Center.

I am, with seven others, receiving instruction from Coach Lee Boles, who teaches at the center, during this mock version of Tennis 101. The class is offered a few times a year, with a new session starting later this month.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I don’t even own a tennis racket, much less have experience using one, but I was having, (sorry but I can’t resist) a ball.

Salishan Tennis Club members like Yen Nguyen, Elizabeth Smith and Linda Reid have shown up to help, their passion for the sport bringing them out on this winter evening to support the newly minted club.

They have varied yet similar reasons that keep them coming back.

“I’m very passionate about tennis,” said Nguyen, who has been playing it for more than five years. “It’s something you can do lifelong and it’s both physically and mentally challenging. And very social, which I love. It also takes a lot of mental focus, so helps you get out of your own head for a while.”

Smith found being involved with the sport was a great way to connect with like-minded people.

“I don’t have kids and I’ve made three major moves,” she said. “This is such a great way for me to meet people in a new place that I know I’m going to find something in common with. Plus it’s an easy way to burn calories.”

Reid cited a study from the Mayo Clinic that put the longevity benefits of tennis far above other popular sports, including swimming, biking and soccer.

“We have members in their 80’s,” she said. “That’s so inspiring to me.”

I won’t disclose Boles’ age, but let’s just say he’s not a novice to the sport nor the instruction of it. And yet, he taught our class as if it was his first week doing so.

“I played tennis while I was in college at the University of Washington pursuing a degree in architecture,” he said. “I could have turned pro, but as early as age 15 I knew that you lose passion for something when you start doing it just for money. My honeymoon phase with tennis is still going because of the joy it brings me to teach people and see how much they get out of it. My mom was the one who instilled in me the belief that you should always pursue your passion, but she was a little disappointed that this was what I ended up choosing instead of architecture.”

Designed for adults who are new to the sport, or who played at an earlier time in life and would like a refresher, the Tennis 101 series involves five weekly 75-minute lessons at the indoor Salishan Tennis Center. Small class sizes allow for individual instruction and extra practice time will also be scheduled. Participation also includes access to Salishan’s fitness center and pool.

Boles is grateful to be celebrating his 16th year as a tennis instructor at the center, especially making it through the pandemic, and is seeing positive signs for the longevity of the sport.

“Tennis participation is up,” he said. “It’s just not getting the attention as some other similar sports.”

For people who sign up for the class and get caught in the net, there is no need to despair that the session only lasts five weeks.

“There will also be Tennis 201 and Tennis 301 options so people can go on,” Boles said. “In the past, most of the Tennis 101 participants do end up signing up for those, too.”

Boles’ interest in coaching was strengthened by an early experience, when he acted up during tennis class and got put in time-out, watching as better-behaved classmates play on.

“I remember thinking, if one person could think as much of me as I thought of my coach, my life would be complete,” he said. “I knew I wouldn’t get that in architecture.”

I did think quite a lot of Coach Boles, enough that, yes, I am signed up for that next session of Tennis 101.

Classes begin on Monday, Jan. 22, Thursday, Jan. 25, or Friday, Jan. 26. and will meet once per week for five weeks.

Loaner rackets are available. Fee for the series is $75. For more information, email lboles10s@outlook.com or leave a message at the Salishan Tennis Center, 541-764-3633.