MEET YOUR HOSTs
THE PROFESSIONALS
BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE
Experienced coaches. Passionate players. Exceptional hosts.
At Racquet & Paddle, our professionals bring decades of coaching experience to the court—but their role goes far beyond instruction. They're here to create a welcoming, personalized experience from the first serve to the final sunset.
HOST PROFESSIONAL
DAN MAINZER
Four Decades on the Court. A Lifetime Around the Game.
Dan Mainzer is the visionary and heartbeat of Racquet & Paddle. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that tennis and paddle are more than just sports—they are gateways to lasting connections and unforgettable experiences in beautiful settings.
Dan brings more than 40 years of professional coaching experience to Racquet & Paddle, along with a career that has taken him from Southern California to the beaches of Costa Rica and ultimately to hosting destination racquet retreats.
Dan spent more than two decades in Southern California, where he owned and operated his own tennis business and developed programs in communities throughout the region. His work ranged from introducing young children and beginning adults to the game to developing competitive junior players, including athletes who went on to play collegiate tennis.
He later moved to Nosara, Costa Rica, where he opened and operated a boutique tennis club near the Pacific coast. It was there that tennis, travel and hospitality naturally came together, and Dan began hosting destination tennis retreats in 2014.
After returning to the United States, Dan continued his career as a teaching professional in the Minneapolis area and resumed hosting retreats for his Minnesota clientele. Racquet & Paddle is the next evolution of that experience—small-group retreats combining professional instruction, beautiful destinations and the relaxed, personal atmosphere Dan believes makes a great tennis trip memorable.
CERTIFICATIONS
USPTA Certified Tennis Professional
PTR Certified Tennis Professional
PTR Certified Pickleball Instructor
“Great retreats aren't just about how much you play. They're about the people you meet, the places you experience and the memories you bring home.” — DAN MAINZER
