“Pickleball is fun, social and what players love most about the sport is they can play for 1-2 hours with friends and family, and no matter their skill level, everyone has a great time and gets healthy exercise.”
Dawn attended college with a scholarship in basketball. She was Head Coach for the College Basketball Team and has been coaching adults and youth in multiple sports for the past 35 years.
Dawn is a Level II Instructor and recent winner of a Gold Medal in Women’s Doubles in Cobourg and a Bronze winner for Mixed Doubles in Midland. She also played Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Women’s Singles at the 2022 Canadian Pickleball Nationals.
As Head Coach of Pickleball Cozumel, Dawn’s goal is to teach you the techniques you need to succeed at the game of Pickleball while at the same time enjoying yourself and having fun. Her keen eye and unique approach make mastering your sport enjoyable and almost effortless!
Sasha came to Cozumel in the mid 90’s for the amazing dive. Then moved to the Island 8 years ago for all things above water, including his golf addiction! (And don’t even get him started on the Dodgers and Lakers!) Now he has become bitten by the Pickleball bug!
He has become an enthusiast and student of the game and plans to spend his final days playing and instructing Pepinillo Pelote.
I arrived in Cozumel from California in 1990. My career in California was as a contractor building custom homes in the San Luis Obispo area. I began my career in tourism working with Sand Dollar Sports in 1990. We have grown from a company of 12 employees to over 100 as of today. There have been periods with over 150 employees but post pandemic we have settled back down to our current number. Water Sports, Diving and Dive Certifications have been our mainstay over the decades we have in business.
In 2013 I bought out my partner and took over Sunset Restaurant and Bar. In 2017 I put together a group of “like minded” marine biologists and dive instructors to create Cozumel’s first “REEF RESTORATION” program. I have played with and sponsored many local sports teams over the years basketball, volleyball, swimming, golf, and triathlon. I participated for 10 years and trained at an elite level in triathlon, competing in 3 world championships. Open water swimming, cycling and pickleball are my current interests.
I have loved sports, and got hooked in the 1980’s on racquetball! Have played with my Chicago suburban friends for years. As we were aging, one of our group who had moved to Arizona introduced us to pickleball. We all came to the conclusion that it was an awesome new sport.
We soon started playing wherever we could, which was mostly tennis courts chalked with pickleball lines, and letting down the net!! Having a second home in Cozumel since 2000, I thought it would be fun to play here!! Talked our friend Scott H into chalking the tennis court at his condo complex, and were immediately chastised by the tennis Nazis!! Thus started our fun on the island. Scott has been greatly instrumental in encouraging pickleball here. Love, Love, Love all of the new friends who have joined the sport here, and looking forward to more playing. PS: I am probably the elder statesman/woman of the group (except for Sasha!)
Born in the US but raised in Colombia, I played competitive tennis as a teenager and a couple of National championships paved the way for a tennis scholarship at the Univ of Texas where I graduated as an Architect. After tennis I became a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, I competed in Texas and was also an assistant Instructor. Worked for DFW Airport as an Architectural Project Manager for 11 years until I traveled to Cozumel for a dive vacation and fell in love with the island, started coming regularly until I found an architecture job and permanently moved in 1995. One thing led to another, and I ended up opening a Dive Shop – Deep Blue – in 1996 and have been running it ever since. I have a son 22 years old, and designed and built my dream home, so Cozumel is home. I was super happy to come across this awesome Pickleball Cozumel Club last summer and have been loving learning this new sport and meeting Dawn and Sasha who do an amazing job organizing everything, and all the wonderful people that participate in it, from locals, tourists, and snowbirds alike. I’m hooked!!!
I was born and raised in the Czech Republic. I was brought up to sports from a very young age. As a very young child I started with football and at the age of 10 I discovered the sport of fast swimming with fins. I practiced this sport for 8 years in which I reached the highest level in the whole Czech Republic several times. At the age of 25 I received an invitation from my sister to visit and work in Cozumel. My sister was certified as a diving instructor there and I was supposed to do the same. Unfortunately, my health problems prevented me from doing so and I started working at the El Cid Hotel, where after 16 years as a marketing and travel office manager I quit and started my own business. From the first moment I was charmed by Cozumel so much that I got married and started a family here. Dominik and Daniel are also very sporty. I played tennis and squash recreationally in Cozumel. I also managed to complete the full Iron man race 2 times and the half Ironman 4 times. In June 2023 meanwhile walking dogs at the park met Sasha and he invited our whole family to try Pickleball. We immediately fell in love with the game. Thank you, Dawn and Sasha, for introducing us to this game and for welcoming us into the Pickleball family.
My name is Colleen Rivera, and I’ve called this beautiful Island of Cozumel home for over 40 years. About a year and a half ago, I discovered pickleball—and I’ve been hooked ever since! As part of Pickleball Cozumel, I’m excited to share my passion for the game, welcome new players, and help grow this amazing sport on the Island. Whether you’re just starting or already obsessed like me, I can’t wait to see you on the courts in Paradise!
Carl Tams Originally from the UK, I have lived in Mexico for the last 18 years. I now spend 6 months a year in Cozumel. I have played various sports over the years but had never played pickleball until I signed up for a beginners session with Pickleball Cozumel in January 2024. I now play as often as possible. It is good exercise, good fun with good people. The atmosphere is great with a mix of regulars and holiday makers and people of all levels of ability
Dawn attended college with a scholarship in basketball. She was Head Coach for the College Basketball Team and has been coaching adults and youth in multiple sports for the past 35 years.
Dawn is a Level II Instructor and recent winner of a Gold Medal in Women’s Doubles in Cobourg and a Bronze winner for Mixed Doubles in Midland. She also played Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Women’s Singles at the 2022 Canadian Pickleball Nationals.
As Head Coach of Pickleball Cozumel, Dawn’s goal is to teach you the techniques you need to succeed at the game of Pickleball while at the same time enjoying yourself and having fun. Her keen eye and unique approach make mastering your sport enjoyable and almost effortless!
Sasha came to Cozumel in the mid 90’s for the amazing dive. Then moved to the Island 8 years ago for all things above water, including his golf addiction! (And don’t even get him started on the Dodgers and Lakers!) Now he has become bitten by the Pickleball bug!
He has become an enthusiast and student of the game and plans to spend his final days playing and instructing Pepinillo Pelote.
I arrived in Cozumel from California in 1990. My career in California was as a contractor building custom homes in the San Luis Obispo area. I began my career in tourism working with Sand Dollar Sports in 1990. We have grown from a company of 12 employees to over 100 as of today. There have been periods with over 150 employees but post pandemic we have settled back down to our current number. Water Sports, Diving and Dive Certifications have been our mainstay over the decades we have in business.
In 2013 I bought out my partner and took over Sunset Restaurant and Bar. In 2017 I put together a group of “like minded” marine biologists and dive instructors to create Cozumel’s first “REEF RESTORATION” program. I have played with and sponsored many local sports teams over the years basketball, volleyball, swimming, golf, and triathlon. I participated for 10 years and trained at an elite level in triathlon, competing in 3 world championships. Open water swimming, cycling and pickleball are my current interests.
I have loved sports, and got hooked in the 1980’s on racquetball! Have played with my Chicago suburban friends for years. As we were aging, one of our group who had moved to Arizona introduced us to pickleball. We all came to the conclusion that it was an awesome new sport.
We soon started playing wherever we could, which was mostly tennis courts chalked with pickleball lines, and letting down the net!! Having a second home in Cozumel since 2000, I thought it would be fun to play here!! Talked our friend Scott H into chalking the tennis court at his condo complex, and were immediately chastised by the tennis Nazis!! Thus started our fun on the island. Scott has been greatly instrumental in encouraging pickleball here. Love, Love, Love all of the new friends who have joined the sport here, and looking forward to more playing. PS: I am probably the elder statesman/woman of the group (except for Sasha!)
Born in the US but raised in Colombia, I played competitive tennis as a teenager and a couple of National championships paved the way for a tennis scholarship at the Univ of Texas where I graduated as an Architect. After tennis I became a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, I competed in Texas and was also an assistant Instructor. Worked for DFW Airport as an Architectural Project Manager for 11 years until I traveled to Cozumel for a dive vacation and fell in love with the island, started coming regularly until I found an architecture job and permanently moved in 1995. One thing led to another, and I ended up opening a Dive Shop – Deep Blue – in 1996 and have been running it ever since. I have a son 22 years old, and designed and built my dream home, so Cozumel is home. I was super happy to come across this awesome Pickleball Cozumel Club last summer and have been loving learning this new sport and meeting Dawn and Sasha who do an amazing job organizing everything, and all the wonderful people that participate in it, from locals, tourists, and snowbirds alike. I’m hooked!!!
I was born and raised in the Czech Republic. I was brought up to sports from a very young age. As a very young child I started with football and at the age of 10 I discovered the sport of fast swimming with fins. I practiced this sport for 8 years in which I reached the highest level in the whole Czech Republic several times. At the age of 25 I received an invitation from my sister to visit and work in Cozumel. My sister was certified as a diving instructor there and I was supposed to do the same. Unfortunately, my health problems prevented me from doing so and I started working at the El Cid Hotel, where after 16 years as a marketing and travel office manager I quit and started my own business. From the first moment I was charmed by Cozumel so much that I got married and started a family here. Dominik and Daniel are also very sporty. I played tennis and squash recreationally in Cozumel. I also managed to complete the full Iron man race 2 times and the half Ironman 4 times. In June 2023 meanwhile walking dogs at the park met Sasha and he invited our whole family to try Pickleball. We immediately fell in love with the game. Thank you, Dawn and Sasha, for introducing us to this game and for welcoming us into the Pickleball family.
My name is Colleen Rivera, and I’ve called this beautiful Island of Cozumel home for over 40 years. About a year and a half ago, I discovered pickleball—and I’ve been hooked ever since! As part of Pickleball Cozumel, I’m excited to share my passion for the game, welcome new players, and help grow this amazing sport on the Island. Whether you’re just starting or already obsessed like me, I can’t wait to see you on the courts in Paradise!
Carl Tams Originally from the UK, I have lived in Mexico for the last 18 years. I now spend 6 months a year in Cozumel. I have played various sports over the years but had never played pickleball until I signed up for a beginners session with Pickleball Cozumel in January 2024. I now play as often as possible. It is good exercise, good fun with good people. The atmosphere is great with a mix of regulars and holiday makers and people of all levels of ability
Shawn and Joni have been coming to Cozumel since 2022 and have loved everything about it since the wheels touched down!
Both of us are avid tennis players and pickelballers. Joni currently manages the East Chop Tennis Club in Oak Bluffs, MA , and Shawn is a retired Probation Officer and Captain at the Dukes County Sheriffs Department on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Our goal is to double the time spent in Cozumel every year.
We both enjoy diving and snorkeling when not on the court. Great chance you'll see us at any of the live music venues in Centro.
Hope to see you on the courts soon!
Melissa grew up playing table tennis 🏓 starting at the age of 6. It was a family affair for all 8.
She was 12 years old, when she & her sister won the Women's Team National Championship.She played for Michigan State University in college. Ten years later, she won the State of Michigan Women's Open. Also a former dancer & cheerleader. She has been a Zumba Instructor since 2010. Retired from teaching in 2014.
Greg retired from General Motors after 42 years in fall 2021. His job took the family to Seoul, South Korea in 2012 -2014. He now works for Virginia Tech & the National Science Foundation as a program director for a consortium, which issues research grants to graduate students/doctoral candidates. Greg's background in sports is golf, golf & more golf! Haha! Well he also plays Wallyball, a former avid water skier & is pretty darn good Tabletennis player.
Greg & Melissa discovered Pickleball 2020. Greg suggested to Melissa they should try Pickleball with some friends, & to just look up a video on YouTube & check it out to get the idea to play later that day. There is a park behind their neighborhood with 8 pickleball courts & found out people played there everyday! So they started playing a lot in the summer of 2020.
Melissa talked their son Spencer, 28, a University of Michigan Law Student, into trying it. At first he thought it was going to be just a bunch of "old" people hitting the ball around, but immediately discovered the courts were packed with some amazing players regardless of their age! He loved the sport & is hooked!
Their daughter, Anna, 24, an Environmental Biologist with a Master's from the University of Michigan in Environmental Justice & Sustainability. She also trained & ran a 1/2 marathon last summer & is an avid fitness enthusiast, was talked into Pickleball at the same time as her brother. She enjoys pickleball so much she chose her residence off campus 50 yards from 6 pickleball courts! Now both Spencer & Anna play pickleball at Leslie Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Greg & Melissa try to get up to the U of M to play with them & their fun group. We have been coming to Mexico regularly for 33 yesrs
All four of the Buntings are so happy to be part of the Cozumel Pickleball Community. They have met people they hope will be life long friends, & can't wait to comeback next year and stay even longer!
