New Tricks

As an instructor at Naples Pickleball Center, I frequently encounter “baby boomer’s” wanting to learn how to play pickleball. Many of them have never actively participated in any other type of group sports activities before and are, understandably, somewhat intimidated by the whole affair. However, they soon discover that it’s never too late to learn something new. Pickleball is a fun social activity that provides players an opportunity to be competitive, get some exercise, and meet new friends.

In addition to my lifelong career as a professional tennis and pickleball instructor, (and as a baby boomer), I too discovered that it’s never too late to learn something new. For the last five years, I have had the privilege of working as a laser technician and systems programmer for a company called Lenkbar Medical Design and Manufacturing. Our mission at Lenkbar LLC is to invent, design and manufacture revolutionary surgical devices and implants which simplify surgery for physicians and improve patient outcomes.

Lenkbar provided an opportunity for me to apply the skills of personal instruction, team leadership and strategic planning, which I had developed from my decades of coaching, and apply them to the challenges of manufacturing surgical devices.

Like a new player just starting out in the sport of pickleball, I had no experience in the field of surgical device manufacturing. I was initially intimidated by the challenge. However, I soon discovered that I was able to successfully apply my experience and knowledge from a totally unrelated activity to something new and different than anything I had ever done before.

So, take this with you: we are never too old to take on the challenge of learning something totally new to us. As long as we are willing to commit to training, practice, and hard work, there is no limit to our accomplishments.

Wayne Clark is a professional tennis instructor with over 25 years’ experience coaching players on all levels of the game. Wayne is also qualified in pickleball instruction and is on staff as an instructor with The Naples Pickleball Center and Training Academy at East Naples Community Park. Contact Coach Wayne by email at coachwayneclark@aol.com, or by or by phone or text at 239-450-6161.