You may be surprised to know that tennis and pickleball were not The Paseo Club's Court Director, Aaron Talalay’s first loves.
As a youth, Aaron was a competitive BMX biker, racing nationally. It was during his downtime, in between events, that he first noticed the tennis courts at the hotels where he stayed.
He began to hit the ball around with his dad and this experience led Aaron to a decades-long love of tennis and then pickleball, inspiring his career as a coach and director.
The Paseo Club of Santa Clarita began as a tennis club over 23 years ago. The club has since grown and diversified extensively to include fitness, Pilates, swimming, and yoga facilities. Yet, the courts are still the heart of the club — and with Aaron at the helm, they are better than ever!
In this article, you will get to meet The Paseo Club’s Courts Director, Aaron Talalay, and learn about how he got involved in tennis and pickleball, his successes as a player and coach, and what you can expect from the courts department in the months ahead.
The early years
In between BMX competitions, young Aaron began to check out the tennis courts at the hotel or timeshare where he was staying with his family. Seeking a hitting partner, he turned to his dad. It turned out Aaron’s dad had some great moves and kicked Aaron’s butt! By practicing with his dad, Aaron was able to learn the fundamentals of the game.
Aaron began to take private lessons from a local instructor in Corona, and when Aaron began high school at Santiago High School in Corona, he was selected for the varsity tennis team.
He played on the varsity team all four years and then went on to play collegiate tennis at Riverside City College, continuing to develop both his skills and competitive mindset. He later graduated from California Baptist University in 2019, receiving a degree in Kinesiology combining his love for sport with a deeper understanding of performance, movement, and training.
Coaching Career
Aaron’s first foray into coaching began as a college athlete. He was invited to his alma mater, Santiago, and co-led the high school varsity tennis program. Aaron led both the boys’ and girls’ programs to a league championship and CIF semifinal appearances. He also coached a USTA Junior Team Tennis L5 team to the Sectional Playoffs at California State University.
Discovering Pickleball
Aaron had played and coached tennis for several years when COVID hit. All the tennis courts in his area closed, leaving him and his students stranded.
One day, a friend contacted him and let him know that the pickleball courts at the local HOA were open and asked if he wanted to join him for a game. Aaron’s response was, “What’s pickleball?”
That one invite opened the door for Aaron to an entirely new sport — and like most people who play pickleball for the first time, he was hooked.
Being the consummate student, Aaron began to play pickleball at the recreational level, then tournament, and finally as a pro. Once he had accomplished success in the game, he began to offer instruction to others.
Aaron developed two independent coaching businesses, Talalay Tennis and Aaron Talalay Pickleball, serving over seven cities across the Inland Empire. He also became the Director of Pickleball at Eagle Glen Pickleball Club, building the department from the ground up. He created a comprehensive program that featured clinics, tournaments, and leagues. He even brought in top pros, including Tyson McGuffin and Jill Braverman, to lead clinics and events.
The Future of the Courts at The Paseo Club
Aaron’s enthusiasm for the pickleball and tennis program at The Paseo Club is infectious. He has a lot of energy and vision to guide the courts to an even more popular and lively resource than ever before.
Members can expect to see consistent league offerings, scheduled drop-in play, and challenge court opportunities. He is exploring fun pop-up drills, collaborating with other departments, and tournament round robins. Juniors can expect a USTA junior league.
Aaron holds consistent office hours of 10-noon, Monday through Friday, so members can meet with him to ask questions or express concerns. The club concierge service will continue to serve and assist members.
Tennis and Pickleball are for Everyone
Learning how to play tennis or pickleball can be intimidating — especially if you are over the age of 25. However, The Paseo Club has starter classes in both sports.
Whether you played as a youth and want to refresh your skills or if you have never picked up a racquet in your life, these drills are for you! And if that does not inspire you, the price tag surely will. The starter classes are free of charge!
Tennis Starter Classes
Pickleball Starter Classes
Join the fun on the courts at The Paseo Club
Whether you are new to the club or have been a member for several years, you are invited to join the fun on the tennis and pickleball courts. Come for drop-in or reserved play, a drill, a private lesson, or to attend a tournament.
After a game, stay and linger at the club. You can relax in the sauna, grab a bite at the cafe, or recover with a massage at the onsite spa.
If you love a little novelty in your life, check out the full fitness, court, and social programs at The Paseo Club. You can choose from the reformer Pilates classes, over 50 fitness classes, 10,000 square feet of gym space, and the outdoor pool. There is something for everyone!
If you would like to learn more, schedule a tour of the club and discover all eight acres of the grounds. Do you want to become a member today? Sign up online and get instant access to all areas of the club. Join now!
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