Announcing Olivia's "Pickleball Pros in Paradise"
This ultimate pickleball vacation includes instruction from top pickleball pros and coaches in the U.S. This is our 2nd Pickleball Program complete with daily clinics, coached matches, and an end-of-the week tournament where all levels of play are welcome. Whether you are a beginner or a 4.5 player, your vacation will not only be relaxing and fun, but also give you some new skills. We are excited to welcome Major League Pickleball's fun-loving, most valuable player (MVP) Lee Whitwell, Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach Mary Helen Atkins, Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach Carrina de Vera, and Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach Yvonne Ting to our Olivia Family. They will be heading our program and making you laugh along the way.
Also, joining our Pickleball in Paradise team are certified coaches Linda Fane, Miriam Garfinkel, Angela Basco, and Mary Anne Basco. They bring a wealth of experience and skill to the court. Their dedication to the game, coupled with their passion for teaching, promises an incredible pickleball experience for everyone. Get ready for some top-notch coaching and an unforgettable time on the courts in paradise!
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is a proud sponsor of Olivia's Pickleball in Paradise.
Our Pickleball Program is currently at max capacity.
You must be registered to participate. Please contact your Olivia Travel Consultant or an Olivia Guest Services Consultant at 415-962-5700, option 2 to be added to the waitlist.
Meet your Pickleball Team!
Lee Whitwell, Professional Pickleball Player, Coach, and Pickleball Club Consultant
Lee Whitwell is a Top Ranked International Professional Pickleball Player, Coach and Pickleball club consultant. She was voted MVP of Major League Pickleball (MLP) in 2021 and 2022. Born in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, Lee came to America for college, and went on to compete professionally in tennis. As a professional Pickleball player, she quickly become an international superstar. She is known for her fierce competitiveness on court as well as her humor and ability to engage the crowd. Lee is actively involved in grass roots movements of pickleball and uses her platform and influence to grow the sport nationally and internationally. As a strategic advisor for DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), Lee leads the international division as well as implementing all upcoming amateur leagues in 2023. Her focus is to build Pickleball into the largest and fastest growing sport in the world. She is also the co-founder of “Pickler”, a fun card game based on the sport of Pickleball. She exemplifies true sportsmanship, while continually showing compassion, kindness, and passion for the sport.
Mary Helen Atkins, Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach
Mary Helen Atkins is a recognized senior pro pickle ball player within the top ten in the world. Born in San Angelo, Texas, raised as an air force brat making her home Tampa, Fla today. Her passion for the game translates perfectly into her teaching, where her top priority is to equip everyone she works with the tools to become a better player. Atkins began playing in 2013 and started to seriously compete in 2015. She entered the sport with an athletic background. She received a dual scholarship to play tennis and soccer in college. She still tours just recently winning gold at the Delray Beach APP Women’s Doubles Senior Pro Tournament. Atkins is an IPTPA certified instructor and an IPTPA Director for instructor certifications. She is knowledgeable, creative and passionate about teaching. Her favorite motto is: NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENTS WITH A BIG SIDE OF FUN! She has been with her partner Jodi Merrill for 28 years who is a 4.5 level player and assists her in coaching. They are world travelers and avid hikers.
Carrina de Vera, Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach
Carrina de Vera says that pickleball is a passion for her, and it has completely transformed her life. She discovered pickleball through a conversation with friends about 8 years ago. She is very grateful that she has many opportunities to play, to share, and to grow the sport. As an athlete, she competes in the Senior Pro division and plays for the Oklahoma City Punishers team for the National Pickleball League for Champions (50+) Pros. As a coach, she teaches communities in Ohio and Florida, and is an IPTPA & PPR Certified Teaching Professional. “I love coaching! It is super fun to find ways to tweak what players naturally do which improves their technique, or to suggest ideas that’ll help them understand what to do, or how to think about the game, so that they’re more successful on and off the court,” Carrina says about her coaching experience. Her clients love her fun and unique teaching style. Born in the Philippines, her family moved to America when she was very young, and her dad taught them all how to play tennis. He said that if you can play tennis, you can play anything! She took that to heart and has been involved in many team sports including volleyball, basketball, track and softball. She went on to be voted “Most Athletic” in high school. Carrina was a ranked junior tennis player, played in college, and was a 2-time MVP for the University of Pittsburgh. She then got into Martial Arts in her 20s and is a 2nd degree Black Belt and a National Champion. Now with pickleball being a major part of her life, she trains and travels to coach and to compete and has numerous medals in local, regional and national tournaments. Her whole family enjoys pickleball, even her 86-year-old mother! Outside of pickleball, she continues to enjoy martial arts, yoga, and life. Carrina and her wife, Deb de Vera share a lifetime together currently living in Ohio, and have a son, daughter-in-law and granddog, who live in Denver. Carrina & Deb are very happy and live life to its fullest by enjoying family and friends, traveling and exploring, being active by hiking, biking, kayaking, and doing anything FUN! With that, Carrina says, “Pickleball + Cancún + YOU = FUN! I’m all in. I can’t wait to meet all of you! We’ll see you in MAY 2024!!!”
Yvonne Ting, IPTPA Certified Teaching Professional, IPTPA Director for Level 2 Certifications, and USA Pickleball Certified Referee
Yvonne started her pickleball adventure after hearing about a “crazy sport” that was supposed to be “a blast.” It was, and she hasn’t looked back! She has been competing in pickleball tournaments since 2017 and has won multiple national titles in the senior pro division and 5.0 skill level. Yvonne played competitive badminton growing up and competed for the Malaysian national team. Badminton helped her develop quick hand reflexes and strong overheads. Yvonne believes in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, where students feel comfortable and motivated to improve their skills. Her teaching approach focuses on the fundamentals of pickleball, emphasizing proper techniques, strategy, and game awareness. Yvonne tailors her instruction to the unique needs and goals of each student, ensuring personalized attention and growth. She loves to share her enthusiasm for pickleball with others & enjoys teaching group clinics as well as private lessons. Yvonne is actively involved in the pickleball community both as a player and a coach. She has taught at various pickleball clubs, community centers, and private lessons, honing her skills as an effective communicator and instructor. As a pickleball instructor, Yvonne is not only committed to helping her students become better players but also to instilling a love for the game that will last a lifetime. She believes that pickleball is not just a sport but a way to foster camaraderie, fitness, and fun.
Linda Fane, Lead Pickleball Coach, PPR Certified
Linda Fane is passionate about Pickleball and thrilled to be able to support all the pros in giving all Olivians an experience of a lifetime. 3 years ago, Linda made the decision to convert to playing Pickleball after playing tennis most of her life. Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and she sheltered in place with a DIY backboard in her garage and Coach YouTube. She learned how to score, how to move, wall drills etc. When outdoor play became possible, she started playing in leagues and tournaments and hasn’t stopped. A 2-time Nationals competitor, Linda has medaled in 20+ tournaments. “The fact that Pickleball is easy to learn, but difficult to master makes it a perfect hobby.”
Linda is a PPR certified coach and is associated with Mary Ann Benack of the SMASH Pickleball facility in Seattle, WA. Linda is also a long-time member of the Olivia Travel family having worked on staff for 30+ cruises and resorts since 1991. “I can’t wait to meet you all!”
Miriam Garfinkel, Pickleball Coach, PPR Certified
Miriam is a PPR Certified Pickleball Professional, a seasoned tournament player, and instructor. She’s been teaching Pickleball for the past six years, co-founded the Pickleball program at Oakland Hills Tennis Club, and has taught previously at Olivia Cancún, Punta Cana, and Turks & Caicos. She currently teaches in the San Francisco Bay Area, Palm Springs, and Lake Tahoe. Miriam brings her skills as a mental health practitioner and trainer/facilitator to her understanding of how adults learn best and loves teaching Pickleball to both new and experienced players.
A lifelong athlete, Miriam began her "athletic career" on the streets of the Bronx before she started playing team sports well into her adult years. As a competitive cyclist and ballroom dancer, she has participated in numerous Gay Games internationally. Miriam understands the joys and challenges of learning a new sport as an adult, whether as a recreational player or competitor.
She’s never had as much fun nor experienced as much camaraderie and community as she does both playing and teaching Pickleball. Miriam is thrilled to be joining Team Olivia for their second Pickleball camp.
Angela Basco, Pickleball Coach, USA Ambassador Northwest Area, Pickleball Coaching International, PCI
Angela began playing Pickleball in January 2021. She started because her wife began playing over a year before her. She would go out to play Pickleball from 8 am to 10 pm during the weekend and play to 10 pm after she got off work, and Angela started wondering, "Who is this pickleball person?" That led her to a court and the first time she hit the ball, she loved it. Also being a nurse, it was really a tough time and pickleball elevated her faith in humanity. Since then, along with her wife, they have become USA Pickleball ambassadors, helping to introduce the sport to more people. She has participated in local tournaments and loves to play as much as she can.
Mary Anne Basco, Pickleball Coach, USA Ambassador Northwest Area, Pickleball Coaching International, PCI
Mary Anne started playing pickleball after retiring from competitive volleyball in 2019. She played volleyball competitively most of her adult life—from playing on an international team, a co-ed National Team, and competing in the Gay Games in 2016, Women’s Volleyball, receiving a Silver Medal. After jumping and diving on a volleyball court, resulting in a knee injury, she knew her body could not handle it anymore, so she turned to pickleball, as it didn't impact her body and kept her active. Pickleball is her savior for keeping her healthy, social, happy, and she and her wife can play together. She has competed in amateur tournaments in AAP, PPA, and Nationals and has medaled in few tournaments.
Her wife, Angela, and she became USA Pickleball Ambassadors in their area. They wanted to promote the sport and were part of a committee to get the city of Sacramento to build dedicated pickleball courts in their neighborhood. They are also working with the Sacramento adaptive sports program for adults and teaching pickleball to wheelchair athletes.
