About Paragon Pickleball
East Bay's home for competitive pickleball — tournaments, coaching, and youth/adult programs.
Meet Drew Diefenbach
Drew Diefenbach is a tournament director, coach, and competitive pickleball player based in the East Bay. He founded Paragon Pickleball in 2019 with a clear mission: bring professional-quality tournament experiences and world-class instruction to the local community.
Before dedicating himself to pickleball full-time, Drew pursued graduate study in sport psychology, ran Paragon Tennis, and worked at the Olympic Club. That background distinguishes his coaching approach from the typical mechanical instruction -- he believes that mastering the mental game is just as critical as mastering shot mechanics, and he weaves that philosophy into every aspect of Paragon's programs.
Drew has worked with players from absolute beginners through nationally-ranked competitors, running camps, clinics, and private sessions across Orinda, Lafayette, Concord, and beyond.
Credentials
- Competed professionally (PPA Tour & APP Tour)
- Graduate Study in Sport Psychology
- Former IPTPA Certified Pickleball Instructor
- Current competitive player (Open Level+)
- Community partnerships with Orinda Parks & Rec, Lafayette Parks & Rec, and Concord Parks & Rec
Our Philosophy
Paragon is a word that means a model of excellence -- a standard others are measured against. That's the bar we set for every tournament we run and every lesson we give.
We believe pickleball is more than a sport. It's a community builder, a mental health outlet, and a lifelong athletic pursuit. Our events are designed to be competitive and fair, our programs to be transformative, and our community to be welcoming at every skill level.