By Dave Schwab

Wounded Warriors find an
unusual route to healing through the Balboa Tennis Club

The seventh annual national Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp (WWTC) will be May 7-10 at the Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Drive.

Some 60 disabled service members and military veterans nationwide, selected from a field of 180 applicants, will participate.

The tennis camp is being hosted by the San Diego District Tennis Association (SDDTA), in collaboration with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), Naval Medical Center San Diego and the Balboa Tennis Club.

“This program is for rehabilitation of wounded and injured service members, both active duty and vets, whose injuries extend from the visible to the invisible, those on their feet as well as wheelchair users,” said Steve Kappes, director of military outreach for SDDTA.

The WWTC will offer on-court sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily, focusing on helping participants improve their tennis skills through game-based clinics and instruction with an upbeat, fun atmosphere.

Therapeutically, tennis helps participants work on eye-hand coordination, balance, ability to transfer weight, endurance, strength and overall fitness.

The camp will be led by Geoff Griffin, Balboa Tennis Club’s tennis director, a 25-year USTA-certified teaching professional. Griffin noted wounded warriors ages 20 to 90 with widely varying infirmities participate in the event every year.

“The majority of these people have not even been outside their residences,” Griffin said. “Our mission is to get these people back into the (general) population, using tennis as a way to get them to integrate.”

The origin of the WWTC goes back to 2009. Kappes credits the Naval Medical Center, which already had sports/recreation programs, as inspiring others to take the next step.

“The camp started as a series of monthly clinics at the Balboa Tennis Club for hospital patients,” said Kappes adding participants “really liked the socializing aspect of it,” he added. “Hospital staff saw improved patient outlooks and self-esteem in their therapeutic conditions. We knew we were on to something.”

Griffin said the aim of the WWTC is to give visibly and invisibly injured service members.

Kappes concurred. “The positive feedback we have received from past camp participants has been amazing,” he said. “Many comments that tennis changed their lives for the better and in some cases, has saved their lives.”

Army vet Jemma Collins of San Diego said the camp provided opportunities for local and out-of-state veterans to reunite.

“We all benefited from being coached by professional tennis instructors. I was blown away by all the generosity, genuine love, caring and hard work that is put into creating this event. Our appreciation for this tennis camp is deep,” Collins said.

Daniel Litzenberg, a Marine vet from Oceanside said he remembers the day when he found out that he would not be able to run anymore due to his multiple sclerosis.

“Over the years my disability progressed,” he said. “At the camp, I was trying to figure out why I enjoyed learning how to play tennis in a wheelchair so much. By the end, I figured out that it was because on the court and with the tennis chair I could run again!”

Gloria Birckhead of Philadelphia, caregiver to her Navy vet son Timothy, said her goal was to see joy and happiness on her son’s face again.

“You all did that and more,” Birckhead said. “I will always remember what you have done for my son. Being here has lifted his spirit. You gave him back that beautiful smile I longed to see and have given him a determination to never give up, even when things are not going well.”

Kristi Gonzalez said she thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2017 Warrior tennis camp.

“It is a wonderful event where I had the opportunity to play tennis, improve my game learning from many wonderful tennis pro’s and even better had the opportunity to meet and play tennis with fellow disabled veterans from throughout the US facing many different challenges,” said Gonzalez. “The Wounded Warriors Tennis program at Balboa Tennis Club enabled me to get back playing a sport I love. I had not played for more than 25 years. Wounded Warriors connected with me new friends, and not only improved my health, but my spirit, as well.”

Fundraising efforts are currently underway to help cover all participants’ airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, tennis equipment and instruction. Tax-deductible contributions may be made to “Tennis Lovers for Charity” and mailed to SDDTA, 2221 Morley Field Dr., San Diego, CA 92104.

Since 2009, the Balboa Tennis Club has provided more than 350 free weekly tennis clinics to more than 1,000 wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans from all military services.

The Balboa Tennis Club, which dates back to 1922, was rated as America’s Best Public Tennis Facility by the USTA in 1989. In 2000, the San Diego District Tennis Association named BTC as Club of the Year and in 2003, it received the Outstanding Tennis Facility award from the USTA for large United States facilities.

For more information go to sdwoundedwarriortennis.org.