How Dominic Tom Found His Game In Lahaina
Dominic, on (L) in both pictures, with his doubles partners at the PKOLL tournament: Caroline Walker (MXD 4.0 Age 30-39; Bronze) & Dave Christen (MD 4.0 Age 30-39; Gold)
How a wildfire relocation led Dominic to pickleball—and a new community.
Lahaina—When Dominic Tom moved from Oahu to Lahaina in September 2023, it wasn’t just about a change of address—it was about showing up for his relatives and church community in the wake of the Lahaina wildfire. It was there that he was Introduced to pickleball by his mom, and the sport quickly turned into a true passion.
Less than two years later, Dominic is dedicating 20–25 hours a week to the game. He loves the social atmosphere, the fast hands battles, and the “physical chess” that every rally demands.
Off the court, Dominic brings that same dedication to health and wellness. As an advocate for whole foods nutrition, hydration, and balance, he’s committed to helping others improve both body and mind.
We’re excited to introduce you to this week’s featured player: Dominic Tom!
Pro Training Camp w/ Max Manthou “Purple Jesus” (Front L)—APP Tour Pro #4 ranked Men's Doubles; Noah Zwiren (Back L), James Thorp (Back R) and Dominic (Front R)
Currently residing in: Lahaina, Maui
Where did you grow up, and what high school did you go to?
I grew up on Oahu and attended Damien Memorial High School & University of Hawaii at Manoa
How did you discover pickleball, and when did you start playing?
I discovered Pickleball thru my mom who kept telling me about it back in the middle of 2023. When I moved to Maui in September 2023 to support my relatives and church mates who were affected by the Lahaina Wildfire, I began playing pickleball and have been addicted ever since!
What do you love most about pickleball?
I love several things about the sport: 1) The fun and social atmosphere, 2) The mentally and physically stimulating factors, 3) The fast hands battles, and 4) Meeting and growing bonds with enthusiasts from all over the world. My phone book has at least 110 people who I've met due to pickleball with the "last name" of Pickleball!
I joke around that Pickleball is basically "Physical Chess" because there is a plethora of shot selections in various situations. Players can choose to drive, drop, lob, dink, speed-up, erne, ATP, etc with various velocities and spin RPMs.
To me, it's fun to see how the match plays out with everyone's decision making and how we (near instantaneously within the moment during gameplay) try to outsmart and pressure the opponent.
Dominic with PB friends Hobbs Wilstead (Front), Levi Visitacion (Mid-L), Jessalyn Lopez (Mid-R), Trevor Stackhouse (Back-L), and Alfonso Plata (Back-R)
How often do you play?
I dedicate between 20-25 hours of pickleball per week since October 2023. Roughly 90% of that are matches and 10% is drilling.
What paddle are you using, and what do you like about it?
The paddle that I use is the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7mm MLP New Jersey 5s Limited Edition Paddle. It's a standard shaped paddle that is light, yet powerful. It has plenty of pop, so my backhand flicks and punch volleys are quite powerful.
What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)?
My current goal in pickleball is to win gold medals in 4.5 (men's doubles and mixed doubles) and work my way up to 5.0+ skill level / DUPR. To achieve that goal, of course, I need to continue my training and build mastery of my own skills, but I need to discover and lock-in partnerships with teammates who have a similar mindset and determination while we build good chemistry on-and-off the court.
What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, volunteerism, school, etc.)?
Outside of pickleball, I'm an activist for health and wellness. I'm an educator with regards to whole foods nutrition; particularly with the Ketogenic Diet, Intermittent Fasting, Electrolytes, Vitamins, and Minerals included in every drink for proper hydration and recovery.
The more people I can help with their biophysiological health and mental wellness via the natural organic foods & consistent exercise method, the more positive impact that I'll bring to the community.
Dominic with (L) Andrew Shoemaker and Kawika Nunez and (R) with Mady Wolfe Bezoni & Josh Bezoni
Anything else on your mind?
I like to experiment with cooking recipes, go on walks, chill at the beach, watch videos on YouTube about current world events, jam out to KPOP Demon Hunters music (the songs are super catchy!), occasionally I go out to discover delicious food spots, but most importantly, I LOVE to sleep on my downtime.
Just laying down, closing my eyes, and not thinking about anything brings so much peace to my life and lowers stress which reduces Cortisol (the stress hormone in which in if there's too much of it, it's harmful to our bodies). I recommend that everyone should take one or two 15-20min naps everyday. Your body and mind will appreciate it very much!
I'm happy to continue being a part of Hawaii's pickleball community, and I will continue to be a highly active ambassador for the sport that we love locally, throughout the USA, and the rest of the world.
