Tennis Newsletter | April 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks

Welcome Back, Wayne Keeler!

First Week Specials Offered at Owl Creek

Wayne Owl Creek is pleased to welcome back Wayne Keeler as our Junior Tennis Instructor. Wayne brings a tremendous level of experience and enthusiasm to our teaching staff. He began playing the sport at the age of 8 and has been teaching for more than 35 years. Wayne has taught at the Mid-Town Tennis Club in Chicago, New England Tennis Holidays camp in New Hampshire, and the Fairmont Orchid Hotel in Kona, Hawaii.

First Week Instructional Specials: April 7-13

To celebrate Wayne's first week back with us, we're offering some great specials at Owl Creek Tennis Center:

- Save 10% on private lessons, or
- Enjoy group lessons for only $10/person (min. 4 people)

Call (757) 385-2695 to schedule your lesson with Wayne!

Offer valid Monday, April 7 through Sunday, April 13 on lessons with Wayne only. Group lessons require a minimum of four and a maximum of eight people.

Quick Links

Our Website

Programs & Activities Catalog

Weekly Clinics

Cardio Tennis (all levels) | $15

Tue & Fri | 9-10 am

Men's & Ladies Night Out (3.5 & up) | $21

Tue & Thur | 7:30-9 pm

As some of these clinics fill, please call (757) 385-2695 the day before to reserve your place.

Connect with Us!

Volunteers Needed for Beach Blast

The 3rd Annual Wayne D. McCoy Beach Blast will be held on Saturday, April 26th at Owl Creek Tennis Center. Want to get involved? Volunteer spots are available in the following areas:

- Playing Partner

- Carnival Game Area

- Court Volunteers

(Court Monitors / Scoring / Cheering / Ball Kids)

- Tournament & Festivities
(Set Up / Break Down / Player Luncheon)

The Beach Blast uses the "Unified" format, which pairs players with intellectual disabilities with tennis playing volunteers in a doubles round robin. The event is open to all Special Olympic athletes.

Volunteers will receive lunch and a Beach Blast t-shirt. For more information on the tournament, please contact info@virginiatennis.com.

Pro Tip: 4 Tips to Winning Doubles

By Owl Creek Staff

Forcing errors, not clean winners, should be your goal.

1. Hit down the middle - A safer shot overall, hitting down the middle limits the angles your opponents may return with. It also creates confusion and forces errors between teammates.

2. Aim high and low - With two players on the court, moving your opponent side to side is not as effective as forward and backward. Transitioning from deep lobs and low volleys is awkward and will force weak returns or complete errors.

3. Use the soft slice - When two opponents both attack the net, do not try to power the ball past them. Instead, utilize the soft slice. This change of pace, speed, and low angle on the ball will complicate their footwork and force them to volley up, allowing you to then attack the net.

4. Move to the two-back formation - When facing an aggressive team, moving to the baseline allows you to feed steady lobs and test your opponents' shot tolerance. Forcing them to hit a lot of shots will frustrate and force impatient players into errors.

Keep the Kids Active this Spring Break

We're serving up fun all week long! While on break from school, players of all levels will learn the basic strokes, rules of the game, and proper tennis etiquette. Check out this video to see the camp in action! There will also be a pizza party on the last day of camp.

Camp takes place at Owl Creek Tennis Center from 9 am to noon, April 14-18. Open to ages 5-17. Cost is $140 for the week. Register online, or in person at Owl Creek or any Virginia Beach Recreation Center.

Practice Time Available at Owl Creek

Spring has arrived and with the warmer temperatures, Virginia Beach Tennis Leagues have begun. Now is a good time to schedule team practices to hone your doubles' skills. Contact the Owl Creek Tennis Center Pro Shop at (757) 385-2695 to arrange your team practice.

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child require additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.

Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center

Location: 928 S. Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach | Phone: (757) 385-2695

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 9pm | Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 5pm

We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at fun@VBgov.com.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.