Barry Waddell
Professional Teaching Certification
Barry began playing tennis at the age of 13 and within two years he was ranked in the top 5 in the state of Florida and top 50 in the nation. At 18 he won the Florida State High School Championship earning him a scholarship to attend the University of Illinois. He then played professionally on the satellite tour in Europe and the United States. After a brief professional tennis career, he returned to Florida to become the Director of Tennis at Casa Ybel on Sanibel Island. At the age of 47, Barry found his new love Pickleball. Barry has won numerous pickleball tournaments including the Atlanta Open with Scott Moore, the Texas Open with Steve Kennedy, the World Pickleball Championship with Paul Olin and the most coveted prize in pickleball winning the US OPEN Senior Pro Men’s Doubles Championship with Dave Weinbach.
Barry is an IPTPA Certified Teaching Professional. In addition to being ranked number 3 in the world, he is a full- time Realtor with John R Wood Properties. Visit pickleballcommunitiesflorida.com to learn more about Barry.
Contact information: Residence: Fort Myers, Florida Age: 57
Email: barry@barrywaddell.com Cell: 239.464.4888
Scott Tingley
Professional Teaching Certification
In 1971, Scott Tingley was born in Clearwater, Florida. As an upcoming tennis player, he was ranked nationally at the age of 14. Scott began playing pickleball in January 2012. He has played in numerous tournaments every year with over 40+ medals including Silver Medal 5.0 45+ Singles and Bronze Medal 5.0 40+ Men’s Doubles at the 2016 US Open in Naples, FL.
His abilities and teaching techniques help students feel comfortable on the court and has earned him the privilege of serving as an IPTPA Certifier for Instructors. It is Scott’s passion to assist students as well as instructors to sharpen their own abilities to achieve what they need to take their passion to the next level.
Contact Information:
Residence: 941-468-7867
Email: pickleballacademy@gmail.com
Kris Johanessen
Professional Teaching Certification
Kris has been a teaching pickleball since 2018 and playing racquet/paddle sports all his life. Originally from Connecticut, Kris retired from the United States Air Force in 2002 and moved to Florida in 2015.
He lives in Fort Myers and offers a simple, efficient approach to the game, serving clients from Englewood to Bonita Springs. Whether you are a beginner looking for the “right way” to start or a tournament player looking to sharpen a specific skill, give Kris a call.
Contact Information:
Residence: Fort Myers, Fl 860-639-0284
Email: krisjohanessen@gmail.com
Blake Wilson
Professional Teaching Certification
Blake is a 32-year-old resident of Punta Gorda, FL and graduate of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. His athletic achievements include winning three consecutive NJ High School Basketball State Championships and receiving NJ MVP honors each year. He went on to play Division I basketball at Princeton University. Blake has been playing pickleball since 2017 and is currently competing at the 4.5/5.0 skill level. He is a member of Peace River Picklers, the USAPA, PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda’s Professional Teaching Team, and a Certified Professional Teacher by the IPTPA. His goal is to help individuals advance their skills and strategies while enjoying the sport of pickleball.
Contact information:
Residence: Punta Gorda, FL 856-287-5347
Email : blakewilsonpickleball@gmail.com
Ricky Deller
Professional Teaching Certification
Ricky has been playing pickleball since 2015 and has competed in tournaments locally and nationally.
As a certified IPTPA Professional Instructor, His instruction focuses on fundamental skills, advanced techniques and control. Every lesson is designed to each unique individual to cater to there specific needs.
Ricky’s passion is working and teaching pickleball to the young people attending the Boys and Girls Camp and trouble youth at the Compass Center. He explains “I love my community and the kids are the future, to invest in them is to invest in our own future.”
A percentage of his earning is used to provide the kids with basics needs like, clothes, toothbrush, shoes etc. donations are always welcomed and deeply appreciated.
Contact Information:
Residence: Punta Gorda, FL 941-623-6632
Email: www.dinklife.com
Gary Wilson
Professional Teaching Certification
Gary brings professional experience in athletics to PicklePlex®. He is a retired high school coach and athletic director. Having played pickleball for five years and competing at the 4.5 skill level, his knowledge of skill and instruction progression is evident in his teaching style.
A member of the USAPA and certified Professional Instructor by IPTPA, Gary enjoys playing, instructing, and leading pickleball activities. As a member of the PicklePlex® Board of Directors he welcomes everyone to enjoy the game at all levels of skill.
Contact Information:
Residence: Punta Gorda, Fl 856-429-1796
Email: gary.wilson@pickleplex.org
Pete and Gloria Reilly
Certified Instructors
Pete and Gloria moved from St. Louis, MO to Punta Gorda, FL in 2016. They have been active in the local pickleball community helping with the skills and drills program with the Peace River Picklers’ since 2017. They have been playing pickleball since 2013 and have won numerous medals at the 3.5 and 4.0 levels. Gloria serves as the secretary/ treasurer for the PicklePlex®.
They have been certified instructors with the IPTPA since 2018. They enjoy working with players of all levels but especially like introducing the game to new players.
Contact information: Residence Punta Gorda, FL
Email: Gloria.reilly@pickleplex.org