From Tennis Coach to Pickleball Dad: A Family Getaway to Batam
By Arik Chan – Certified Tennis Coach & Pickleball Convert
I've spent years on the tennis court. Teaching footwork. Fixing grips. Chasing perfect topspin.
Then I discovered pickleball.
And honestly? I haven't looked back.
But here's the thing — I'm a coach, but I'm also a dad. I don't want to disappear for weekends chasing tournaments. I want to bring my family along. Court time. Family time. Makan time. All of it.
So I built a tiny getaway. Not a bootcamp. Not a retreat. Just a few days in Batam where we played, ate, massaged, and laughed.
Here's how you can do the same.
Why Pickleball Won Me Over (Tennis Coach Confession)
Let me be honest.
Tennis is beautiful. It's also exhausting. By the end of a long match, your knees hurt, your lower back is tight, and you've spent more time chasing balls than hitting winners.
Pickleball changed that.
Smaller court – Less running. More playing.
Slower pace – You actually have time to think.
Family friendly – My kids can rally with me. My wife doesn't feel intimidated.
Still competitive – Don't let the paddle fool you. Good pickleball requires touch, placement, and strategy. My tennis footwork translates perfectly.
I'm still a certified tennis coach. But now I'm also a pickleball student. And honestly? I'm having more fun.
Why Batam for a Family Pickleball Trip?
Batam is only a 45-minute ferry from Singapore. It's close. It's cheap. And it has everything a family needs:
Batam Has It🏓 Pickleball courtsYes (indoor & outdoor)💆♂️ MassageYes (from SGD 15/hour)🍜 Makan (food)Yes (seafood, local stalls, nice restaurants)🛍️ ShoppingYes (duty-free malls and wet markets)
No flights. No jet lag. Just a quick ferry, then straight into holiday mode.
Our 3-Day Batam Itinerary: Court. Massage. Makan. Repeat.
Day 1: Arrival + First Pickleball Hit
Morning: Ferry from HarbourFront/ Tanah Merah to Batam Centre (SGD 80-90 return per person).
Lunch: Reziki Restaurent – Their seafood porridge - Kids love it. Parents love it.
Afternoon: Check in to Biz Hotel (opposite Nagoya foodcourt!). Then head to Pickleball Court at Sol Racket Club – they have dedicated courts. I booked 2 hours. We just rallied. No pressure. Just fun.
Evening: Massage for the adults (SGD 15/hour – yes, really). Kids watch cartoons in the hotel room.
Dinner: Nagoya Food Court – walk around, point at things, eat everything. Super affordable.
Day 2: Family Makan + More Pickleball
Morning: Slow breakfast at hotel. then we head our for Pickleball time!
Lunch: RM Sederhana – Padang food. The beef rendang is unforgettable. Kids tried fried chicken and rice. Everyone happy.
Afternoon: Second pickleball session.
Late afternoon: Relax time, massage time.
Then dinner at Reziki Restaurent – chili crab, butter prawns, steamed fish. Messy. Delicious. Worth it.
Day 3: One More Meal Then Home
Morning: Last breakfast. Last pickleball session.
Lunch: Early lunch on your own @ Nagoya Foodcourt
Ferry back to Singapore. Tired. Full. Happy.
What I Learned: Pickleball is Better With Family
As a tennis coach, I used to think sports had to be serious. Proper technique. Long rallies. High intensity.
Pickleball taught me something different.
Sports can be slow. Sports can be silly. Sports can be for everyone.
My kids don't care about my trophy years ago. They care that I played with them at the pool. My wife doesn't care about my tennis certification. She cares that we laughed over chili crab.
Batam wasn't a "pickleball trip."
It was a family trip that happened to have pickleball in it.
And that's exactly the kind of trip I want to keep having.
Want to Join My Next Family Pickleball Trip?
I'm planning another Batam trip soon. Maybe June or July 2026.
Same vibe: Court time. Family time. Makan time.
No coaching fees. No packages. Just a fellow dad and coach saying "come along."
Drop your WhatsApp or email below, and I'll ping you when I'm booking.
👉 Join the Waitlist 👈
(No spam. No sales. Just a text saying "let's go.")
Quick Tips for Tennis Coaches Trying Pickleball
Learn to dink!!! And trust me. Your tennis footwork will help. Your tennis instincts? Some will, some won't. That's the fun part — learning again.
About the author: Arik Chan is a certified tennis coach, photography instructor with Singapore People's Association, and a pickleball convert.