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CTV News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
A new platform is connecting sports, arts instructors with students from across the Greater Toronto Area
is a new platform that recently launched in GTA and is connecting local students and instructors for affordable lessons. CTV's Pat Foran reports. A new platform that recently launched in the Greater Toronto Area is connecting local students with instructors for affordable lessons for things like golf, tennis, and pickleball. allows students to search for instructors within their area who are offering lessons at different price points and skill levels. 'It's not as crazy as tennis and it's a bit more of a step up from ping pong. It also gets you moving and people like the social aspect of it,' James Mitchell, a pickleball instructor with told CTV News. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada. It's something people of all ages can play and requires just a few lessons to get the hang of it. Mitchell told CTV News he's been offering his coaching services on the platform, connecting him with players he can coach on evenings and weekends, while making some extra money at the same time. Nicolas Mazomenos has played tennis in the past, but wanted to learn a different sport and decided to give pickleball a shot. 'It's going great. It's my second lesson and I feel like I learned a lot,' said Mazomenos, one of Mitchell's students. 'I got lucky and got paired with a great person, I feel like I've known him forever.' Maaz Patel only started golfing a year ago but enjoys the game and wanted to take lessons to get to the next level. 'I just want to play consistent and if I'm going out there with people from work, or with my friends I don't want to look bad,' said Patel. 'I just want to improve my bad shots.' As for Craig Cook, he coaches golf and finds it's a way to share his love for the sport and earn extra money teaching part-time. 'I teach all ranges of golfers, so beginners, intermediate and more advanced,' Cook said. 'I also offer playing lessons on the course.' How does it work? When CTV News spoke with founder Tyler Maloney, he said that following the success of the website—which launched in San Diego, it is now offering services in Toronto. 'We weren't really planning international expansion but we started having Canadian coaches sign up and they wanted to teach and then we thought we should double down on this,' Maloney said. According to Maloney, students can find local coaches offering lessons at a price point and skill level that they want, and the first lesson is always free. So far, the most popular sports on are golf, tennis, and pickleball. However, they're hoping to bring more activities that are on the U.S. platform to Canada. 'We just had a coach sign up to teach comedy writing. Music theory, rock climbing, beach volleyball, juggling are (also) a variety of things that people sign up to teach,' Maloney said. Lessons can start at about $50 and increase depending on the instructor's skill level. From each lesson booked, the website takes a cut. However, there are no fees to check the website, so you can browse for free to see what is being offered. hopes to expand across Canada in the future and encourages more coaches to apply online.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
The best pickleball shoes for 2025, tested by real players
Pickleball's rapid rise from a niche pastime to a national obsession has turned it into a full-on phenomenon. As more players hit the court, gear matters more than ever — and shoes are a huge part of that. Whether you're playing in a local rec league or fine-tuning your footwork for a tournament, the right pair of shoes can make a noticeable difference in both performance and comfort. Riley Chervinski, co-owner of Racket Royalty underscored the importance of proper footwear from the start: 'Don't just wear running shoes,' she said. 'You should be playing in shoes designed for lateral movement like court shoes — either tennis or pickleball-specific — to prevent rolled ankles and help you move faster on the kitchen line.' Dr Uetz, a physical therapist and pickleball instructor with who works with athletes to prevent injury and enhance performance echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that your choice of footwear can directly impact your safety and agility. 'All sports pose a certain set of risks while playing and pickleball is no different,' he explained. 'Proper shoes can limit slipping and sliding that can contribute to falls, assist in lateral movements while reducing the likelihood of rolling the foot [or] ankle, and improve performance with a solid grip on court surfaces.' Today's best pickleball shoes balance grip, comfort, and support while remaining breathable and light enough for hours of play. Some are even purpose-built just for pickleball, though tennis shoes with durable outsoles and reinforced uppers remain popular among many players. How I tested I tried out an assortment of popular pickleball and tennis court shoes during indoor and outdoor sessions to see how they held up in real-world conditions. I recruited three other players to join me: one beginner, one advanced player, and another intermediate like myself. The shoes were worn during games and casual play and we focused on how the shoes felt and took notes on grip, comfort, ankle stability, and breathability. To support my testing, I also asked Uetz to outline the key features to look for when selecting pickleball shoes, so I considered each of the below too: Support and stability — Arch and lateral support help prevent ankle sprains and keep you comfortable. A snug fit with minimal wiggle room is key, along with soles made for court sports to reduce slipping. Comfort and fit — Even the best shoes won't work if they don't suit your foot. Prioritize personal preferences like toe box width and cushioning — and try them on before committing. Durability — Quick stops and side-to-side movements are tough on shoes. Look for models built to withstand frequent play so you're not replacing them too soon. Outsole — Soles designed for court use provide better grip on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, helping you move confidently and avoid slips. Break-in time — Most shoes need a few days to adjust. Uetz recommends wearing them around the house for a few days before hitting the court so your feet can adjust to the fit. Using expert insights and real-world testing as a guide, I narrowed it down to a handful of standout options. Each pair offers something different but all are built to help you play better and feel more safe and confident on the court. The best pickleball shoes for 2025 are:
