Our Story
How it started
Like a lot of pickleball stories, ours started on a court we had no business being on. Two brothers, lifelong racket athletes — and one question that wouldn’t go away: why is nobody combining serious pickleball with serious travel?
The pickleball travel that existed felt like an afterthought — bolt-on courts at a resort, generic group tours, no real coaching. Nothing intentional. So Nico and Gino Valencia are building the company they wished existed, on a philosophy that every single detail matters.
The founding season is on the calendar: six journeys across three continents, every one coached personally by the brothers, every one capped at a group small enough to become a crew. The travelers who come first will be the ones the rest of the story gets built around.
The Founders
Co-Founder & Head Coach · DUPR Master Instructor
A lifelong racket athlete known online as @nicothelefty, Nico built a following around his left-handed game, sharp court IQ, and genuine love of teaching. He co-hosts PicklePod with pro player Zane Navratil — and brings that same energy courtside on every Nomad trip.
Co-Founder & Coach · 5.0 National Champion
A natural teacher with a deep strategic mind, Gino breaks complex mechanics into concepts that stick. He also runs Nomad's operations and traveler experience — from the moment you land to the moment you leave, every detail is his.
What we believe
Pickleball is better when it's lived, not just practiced. Every trip is designed to maximize court time, court quality, and the joy of playing somewhere extraordinary.
The resort matters. The coaches matter. The food, the courts, the group dynamic — all of it matters. We obsess over every detail so you can show up and just play.
The best part of every trip isn't the location — it's the people. We curate groups intentionally and build experiences that turn strangers into lifelong pickleball partners.
From the Amalfi Coast to the beaches of Da Nang, the world is full of places that deserve a pickleball court. We're here to find them — and take you there.
Ready to play