Darla Christensen

Darla Christensen is a dual-certified pickleball instructor (IPTPA & PPR) and serves as a USA Pickleball Ambassador in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2021, she founded the Pickleball New Dinkers of Las Vegas, and has since provided instruction to more than 5,000 players. As a certified professional, Darla delivers training and development for both junior and adult participants. She organizes and leads clinics, classes, tournaments, round robins, and leagues across the Las Vegas area.

In addition to working full-time as a pickleball instructor, she serves as Security supervisor at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Just six weeks after moving to Las Vegas in 2017, she supervised security during the country's largest mass shooting, rescuing injured concertgoers—a traumatic event that led to years of PTSD. Her recovery began unexpectedly when her lost service dog, Wyatt, was found by neighbor Steve Cole, a pro pickleball player and instructor who invited her to try the sport. Accepting his offer helped her start the journey to healing and sparked her passion for pickleball.

Darla’s commitment to the sport began with her first lesson and continues through her efforts to create welcoming entry points for new players. Her structured lessons emphasize fundamental skills, ensuring players gain a strong foundation. She regularly coordinates events that offer safe, supportive environments for beginners and advanced beginners, enabling them to engage with peers at comparable skill levels. Darla is recognized for her ability to identify challenges and deliver effective, engaging instruction designed to help athletes progress in their game.

Onix has provided sponsorship for various events in Las Vegas, including lessons for inner city children, individuals on the autism spectrum, and thousands of middle school students. The company has also supported charity events such as breast cancer awareness campaigns, the fireman’s burn unit, and Toys for Tots.

Darla uses the Malice Raw Carbon Fiber Open Throat Pickleball Paddle for its power, speed, and control. Over the past four years, she has been able to offer her students the Onix Evoke Premier and Hype X paddles, both suitable for players of any level.

Darla promotes pickleball in Las Vegas by providing equipment and instruction to local middle schools. She supplies paddles, balls, and teaching materials, paints the lines for courts, and coordinates volunteer instructors to teach both teachers and students the game.

Darla has traveled internationally to promote pickleball. She spent 17 days teaching monks and nuns in the Kingdom of Bhutan and has also taught in several other countries. A trip to Instruct pickleball in South Africa is scheduled for 2026

Outside her instructional work, Darla has been married to her husband, Neil, for over three decades and is the mother of two sons and a daughter-in-law. In her personal time, she enjoys scuba diving, golfing, playing pickleball, and traveling.