A family fitness affair for the Ferrandis of Ballito

Passionate about tennis, Waylon Ferrandi, of Ferrandi’s Tennis Academy said the sport comes with two major benefits – family and fitness.

“From a fitness point of view the benefits are fairly obvious but playing tennis and being a part of a club, really makes it feel like family. Everyone is supportive and helpful and friendships are formed.”

The 33-year-old Ashton College teacher said he had been playing tennis since the age of three.

Having his father as a coach had its benefits and when he wanted to start coaching, playing tennis from a young age made it an easy transition.

“I stopped playing tennis for three years when I was 18. But after the break I found my love for the game again. Sharing this passion with others is a major reason why I enjoy coaching.”

He said family businesses have their ups and downs but working with his father, Roger, and sister Maxi Ferrandi-Joffe has been amazing.

“We each have our own strengths and use these to benefit our pupils as best as we can.”

He said they catered for all ages and levels of expertise.

“Maxi works with the youngsters (she is the patient one), Roger coaches the majority of primary school kids and adults and I coach mainly high school students. Also with Ashton building five brand new tennis courts we have been able to run our academy at two locations, Umhlali Country Club and Ashton International College.”

The Ferrandi family moved to Ballito in 1995, when he was eight years old, and Roger took up the position of resident coach at Umhlali Country Club.

As a teenager he was part of a KZN team that had the opportunity of playing with the South African and German Federation Cup teams.

“I got to hit with Amanda Coetzer and Steffi Graf. That was an amazing experience. Another of my special moments was getting to play men’s doubles league with my dad, and mixed doubles league with my sister. There is something special about playing a game you love with your family.”

He said the local tennis scene contained many talented junior and senior players, with many making district and provincial teams.

“Anna Wise represented South Africa last year and Umhlali Country Club has a fantastic tennis section. We have many teams competing in the KZN Tennis Leagues as well as a packed Saturday afternoon social scene.”

Living on the North Coast makes outdoor sport easy and enjoyable. The avid athlete enjoys everything from surfing to playing soccer at Footy (when he was younger), and recently cycling at Holla Trails.

Waylon is in lockdown with his wife of seven years, Julia, and they have a little girl on the way, due in June.

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