FAQs

Racquets

Are students expected to bring racquets?

Students are expected to bring their own racquet to the tennis lesson and come dressed in athletic clothing with athletic shoes.

If you are in need of equipment, we recommend the tennis brand Yonex, available at Tad’s Sporting Goods – located at 70th and Granville. The staff at Tad’s are knowledgeable and will be able to provide you with the right recommendations for racquets and any other gear that you might need. They also have the best selection of used tennis racquets in the city. All students of Summer Smash Tennis receive a discount at Tad’s Sporting Goods.

Age Boundaries

Can I register my child outside of an age boundary?

Yes, please contact us at info@summersmashtennis.ca and we can help facilitate registrations outside of the prescribed age boundaries if the student needs additional challenge or are close to satisfying the age requirement.

Choosing a class

Do students with different levels of experience receive different instruction?

We differentiate instruction to ensure that all students are working on the right things with the right level of challenge. Our programs and Progression provide a pathway for continued development.

Inclusive programming & neurodiversity

Every child belongs on our courts.

We believe tennis is for every kid, including those who learn, focus, or engage with the world differently.

Tell us about your child before the first lesson

The more we know ahead of time, the better we can prepare your child’s coach. A quick note to our team – including any strategies that work well – makes a real difference from day one. Email us at info@summersmashtennis.ca

What should I include when I email about my child?

There’s no formal form — a short, plain-language email is perfect. Some things that are genuinely helpful:

Your child’s name and which program & location they’re enrolled in
A brief description of how they typically present — not just the diagnosis, but what that looks like in a group sports setting
One or two strategies that help when they’re getting dysregulated or disengaged
Anything to avoid – phrases, approaches, or dynamics that tend to backfire
Whether you’d like to be present or nearby for early sessions

The most valuable thing you can share with us isn’t a label, but a picture of your child: what energizes them, what frustrates them, and what a good moment looks like.

You can email us at info@summersmashtennis.ca any time before your first session — even the day before is helpful.

What if things aren’t going well mid-program?

Please reach out. We would much rather hear from you while the program is running than receive feedback at the end. If a session doesn’t go as expected, email us at info@summersmashtennis.ca and we’ll loop in the right people to adjust the approach.

Our coaches are still developing their inclusive practices — they’re eager to improve and to hear what’s working from parents who know their child best.

A note on privacy and information sharing

When you register through a Community Centre, information you share with their staff isn’t automatically passed on to our coaches — privacy policies at each facility limit what can be shared across organizations. Emailing us directly at info@summersmashtennis.ca is the most reliable way to make sure your child’s coach is prepared before they set foot on the court.

Should I register my child for Fundamentals or Aces or Performance?

If your child does not have prior experience learning tennis in a formal setting, we highly recommend signing up for Fundamentals programs.

If your child has taken some lessons with Summer Smash before or through another proficient coach, we recommend signing up for Aces programs.

If your child is in Aces or an equivalent program and needs additional challenge to become a competitive player, we recommend signing up for Performance programs or private lessons.

I am an athletic adult who can naturally rally – should I take Beginner (1.0) or a higher level class?

If you want to get the most out of our classes and do not have prior experience learning tennis in a formal setting, we highly recommend signing up for Adult Beginner (1.0). This will allow you to get the most out of our lessons and the structure of our programs.

Rain

How do I check if a Tennis Lesson is cancelled due to rain?

If you are unsure about the status of a community centre class, please call the community centre that the class is associated with. If you are inquiring about a private lesson, your private lesson coach will contact you directly. If there is no contact from the coach, then the lesson is is on. All cancellations will take place at least 45 minutes before the start of the class.

Will I be notified if a Tennis Lesson is cancelled due to rain?

The coach will be in touch via call, text, voicemail, or email at least 45 minutes in advance if the lesson is canceled due to rain. If you are unsure of the status of the lesson and have not been contacted within an hour of the lesson’s start time, please call the community centre front desk to confirm if the lesson has been cancelled. Note that we sometimes do not have up to date contact lists and therefore become limited in our ability to actively notify all participants.

Refunds + Makeups

Do I get a refund if a tennis lesson is cancelled?

You will receive a refund at the end of the month to the method of payment that you used to complete registration. All payment and refunds are processed through our community centre and Park Board partners.

Can a student make up for a missed class ?

We unfortunately cannot offer make-up lessons for missed classes due to limited class capacity and makeup classes being outside the Community Centre attendance policy.

Indoor Lessons

How do indoor tennis lessons in gymnasiums help players develop meaningful skills?

Our indoor tennis lessons focus on developing strong tennis fundamentals, including coordination, technique, and tactical awareness. Our indoor classes are designed to:

Follow the Summer Smash Progression to ensure consistent instruction and player development
Use Progressive Tennis equipment to promote longer rallies and faster skill acquisition
Help students transition smoothly to full-court tennis while building a love for the sport

Gymnasiums provide an ideal indoor option for year round play, giving players the opportunity to start or continue learning tennis year round.

When are indoor and outdoor tennis lessons running during the year?

Indoor lessons run from September to June. Outdoor tennis lessons run from May to October. These lessons take place inside gyms, using Progressive Tennis equipment including progressive tennis balls, portable nets and line markers.

Private Lessons

When are private lessons offered?

Private lessons are available to be booked from April to October and can accommodate up to 6 players.

How can I receive updates about upcoming programs?

Please subscribe to our newsletter here and the latest Summer Smash Tennis news, giveaways, and programs will hit your inbox each week!