Meet the Senseis
Independent players and coaches united around one structured training system. Book Polar Bear for team-assigned drilling and sparring; book an individual Sensei separately for private coaching.
A personal symbol became a development system.
Sam adopted the polar bear as his on-court alter ego—a symbol of strength, resilience, adaptability, and fierceness. His approach also draws from three formative experiences: martial arts taught discipline, tennis taught technical and tactical craft, and structured supplemental learning taught the value of progressive practice that builds confidence over time.
Polar Bear brings those ideas to pickleball. The Dojo is the system. Senseis guide the work. Players train, apply, compete, and keep progressing.
One system. Independent coaches.
Polar Bear training and sparring sessions are assigned based on your goals, skill level, and team availability. You are not booking a particular Sensei. If you want to choose your coach, arrange private coaching separately through that Sensei at their individual rate. Our team supports each Sensei’s independent ambitions.
Sandeep “Sam” Sanga
Sam combines an advanced tennis background, 5.0+/Open pickleball experience, and an analytical approach to player development. His sessions emphasize diagnosis, purposeful repetition, strategy, and game-like pressure.
His training philosophy is influenced by childhood martial arts and by structured learning systems that reinforced a simple idea: steady, progressive practice builds both competence and confidence.
Vincent “Vince” Valenzuela
Vince is a methodical instructor and advanced player known for high-quality ball repetition, practical feedback, and drills that mirror real match situations.
He helps players turn technique into reliable execution through consistency, shot selection, and pressure-tested reps.
Jawknee Ramos
Jawknee brings a thoughtful, analytical approach shaped by a tennis background and a rapid rise in pickleball. He is a multi-time 4.0+ tournament medalist and PPR Level 1 Certified Professional who specializes in intermediate and advanced doubles tactics.
Rather than teaching shots in isolation, Jawknee builds the context around them—explaining the “why,” creating progressions that translate to real points, and helping players develop stronger court IQ and better decisions under pressure.
Jawknee is also available for private coaching outside Polar Bear’s team-assigned training system. If you’d like to work specifically with Jawknee, send us an inquiry through the Polar Bear Community page and we’ll help connect you.
Santhosh Narayanan
A lifelong tennis player and Michigan-trained engineer, Santhosh progressed to PPA Tour main draws within months of taking up pickleball. His international competitive experience brings high-level pace, purposeful drilling, soft-game precision, and sharper kitchen-line decision-making to Polar Bear sparring and systematic training.
Santhosh also runs his own private coaching at Neighborhood Pickleball and founded Speedup Pickleball, where he designs paddles. His independent coaching and paddle business complement—not replace—his role with Polar Bear.
Build your game with Polar Bear—and learn from each Sensei’s own expertise.
Polar Bear offers team-assigned Drill Partnering, sparring, guided Game Play, and Dojo programming. These packages book the system, not a particular Sensei. Our Senseis may also operate independent coaching, competitive, or equipment businesses. To select a specific Sensei for private instruction, book directly with the individual coach at their own rates.
Individualize the work. Create quality reps. Build understanding. Help the player progress.
Help players get better.
We are growing a network of skilled players and instructors who combine strong pickleball knowledge with dependable ball quality, good judgment, sportsmanship, and a genuine interest in player development.
Complete the application form directly below.