About Us

Pickleball Vacations is for pickleball players of all levels of play to enjoy fun, social and instructional play in beautiful resorts and cities throughout the country.

In addition to improving your skills with our team of certified pros and instructors, you will enjoy game play, round robin and Pro-Ams . We choose our teaching pros on the basis of being very good instructors, friendly and approachable on and off the courts.

When you are off the courts, enjoy a plethora of other activities with us such as swimming, hiking, biking, tennis, golf, fishing, delicious meals, beer and wine tasting, karaoke and endless other activities.

Founders

Co-founders US Open champion Ken Henderson and Dave Blickstein came up with the idea of providing top notch pickleball instruction and play in beautiful destinations that are wonderful to visit and provide numerous activities to enjoy. Our goal is to create a fun learning vibe to accelerate your game, and - equally important - to make lots of new pickleball friends.

Ken Henderson

In 2018, Ken won the gold medal in 5.0 singles at the US Open & 2019 and the silver medal in Naples, FL. In 2017, Ken won two bronze medals in at US Nationals in AZ. Current playing experience includes numerous Gold Medals in singles, doubles and mixed doubles throughout six states.

Originally from Brooklyn NY, he now splits his time between NY and FL. He attended Fordham University and now enjoys teaching and spreading his love for the game of pickleball throughout the country. Ken is an IPTPA Master Level Certified Teaching Pro & US Nationals medalist. Vast coaching experience includes: teaching beginner, intermediate and advanced players both in group training and private lessons innumerous locations.

Furthermore, Ken directs successful tournaments, clinics, round robin socials and destination camps. He enjoys teaching players of all levels the fundamentals of pickleball and the finer points of the game.

Forbes Article

Dave (“db”) Blickstein

Dave has always been involved in high-level amateur sports. He played USTA junior tennis tournaments, won the USVBA Yankee indoor volleyball and several other volleyball, as well as multiple titles in advanced volleyball leagues, about 12 beach volleyball tournament titles.

Dave stumbled upon pickleball and is now fully dedicated (addicted) to it. Dave is currently in the process of getting his IPTPA certification as a pickleball instructor. Dave particularly enjoys teaching people new to pickleball..

Dave comes with experience with a sports vacation company in beach volleyball, running tournaments, and vast sports coaching experience in multiple sports across large age ranges and skill levels.

In his pre-retired life he was a software engineer and now spends his time as a husband, father, musician, CTO of a software startup a. That is… of course… on those rare occasions where he’s not playing pickleball .

Teaching Staff

  • Ken Henderson - Director of Pickleball

    Ken is a co-founder of Pickleball Vacations. He won the 2018 US Open Pickleball Singles champion and holds the highest level of IPTPA instructor certification: Master. Ken holds a 5.1 DUPR rating.

    As the Founder/Director of Travelling Pickleball Pros, he’s accumulates an unparalleled amount of experience in coaching, and running camps and tournaments.

  • Vito Sarni - Lead Teaching Pro

    Vito Sarni is a dedicated & passionate pickleball Instructor with over five years of experience in teaching players of all skill levels with reputation for creating a fun and supported learning environment that emphasizes skill development strategy and sportsmanship.

    Vito has played pickleball competitively for five years and has participated in & achieved numerous medals in tournament play as a 4.5 Player

    Vito is a Level 2 Certified IPTPA instructor.

  • Coach "Z"

    "Z”orano Tubo - Lead Teaching Pro

    Coach "Z"orano is the Head Teaching Pro & Founder of the Southern Tier Pickleball Academy. Coach "Z"orano is an IPTPA Director - Senior MTP (Master Teaching Professional) - CPTP (Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional) Level 1 & 2- Senior CRS (Certified Rating Specialist) Level 4 & Level 5, Public Relations Director of IPTPA

    Conducting clinics for Juniors and Seniors, providing ratings for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, as well as facilitating certifications for instructors at beginner and advanced levels are a few of Coach "Z"orano's passions.

  • Sue Carnevale - Teaching Pro

    Sue is an IPTPA Level 2 Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional .  She has taught hundreds of players the game of pickleball over the last eight years.  She is a licensed psychologist and uses learning theory to help reinforce pickleball skills.  Sue is the teaching professional at the Greater Beverly Y and a Certified Ratings Specialist.

    Tournament wins include a silver medal in doubles at the US Open in 2019, multiple gold medals in the Massachusetts Senior Games, New Hampshire Senior Games, the Atlantic Regional, as well as the Bay State Games and qualified for the Senior National Games . She is a USA Pickleball ambassador. and the Atlantic Regional Director for USA Pickleball.

  • Jay Jaudon - Lead Teaching Pro

    Jay is a accomplished pickleball instructor & player. As Head Pickleball Professional with GT Bray Center and Bradenton County Club, Jay brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the pickleball community.


    Jay is a DUPR 5.5 level player, a CRBN sponsored player, and holds the title of an IPTPA level 2 Teaching Professional, DUPR rating Coach, and PPR Professional Coach developer.

    Jay’s playing career includes a US Open Men’s Doubles Gold medal and USAP Indoor Nationals Silver medal.

  • Tracy Blais - Teaching Pro

    Tracy resides and teaches pickleball in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. She began playing pickleball in 2020 and has been playing in high level amateur tournaments in 2021. She became a Certified Level 1 instructor with IPTPA in 2021. In 2024, she progressed to Level 2 Teaching Pro .

    Currently coaching beginners to advanced levels of players in her South Brooklyn Community. She has also assisted Ken teaching in various Junior Programs, Clinics & Camps throughout Brooklyn & NYC

  • Peter Bojarczuk - Teaching Pro

    IPTPA Level 2 Teaching Pro Peter Bojarczuk is a Associate Director for Traveling Pickleball Pros Academy teaching large group clinics throughout New York State & Vermont. He has also directed the instructional pickleball program for Saratoga Springs Recreation for the past two years & enjoys coaching the Junior Camp there for kids ages 8 to 16.

    He has over 15 years of playing experience achieving numerous medals in both regional & local Tourneys! His current WPR player rating is 4.5D/5.0M. When he is not teaching you can find Peter playing in local leagues & drop in-open play. Peter is a fun Teaching Pro as he loves talking Pickleball & will enjoy getting to know you both on & off the Courts! Peter is looking forward to teaching you at our vacation camps, group clinics and corporate outings and events very soon!