Are you getting the best racquet and stringing advice for your game? The 7000 racquet stringers belonging to the United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA) are equipped to help you out. They're educated, informed and up to date on the latest racquets, strings, grips, accessories and stringing techniques.
And a few hundred of these are the cream of the crop in tennis retailing--they're USRSA Certified Racquet Technicians. They work to fit you with the racquet, string and tension that are right for your game.
They've passed a comprehensive test to prove they know their stuff--whether it's racquet customization (changing the weight and balance of your frame with strategically applied lead tape), handle build-ups, advice on racquet technology, or the perfect fit between you, your racquet and your tension, CRT's have proven their expertise. And they've maintained their CRT status by keeping their USRSA membership up to date and by passing an annual test on manufacturers' technology.
To find the USRSA Certified Racquet Technicians nearest you, click here:
CRT logo here - links to list of all CRT's by state (alphabetical order)
There is another group of USRSA members who've also been rigorously tested in racquet service techniques. These are stringers who operate independent of a storefront, but who are eminently qualified to string and service your racquet and answer your technical questions. They continue their education by keeping their USRSA membership current. They're USRSA Certified Stringers, and to find those closest to you, click here:
CS logo here - links to list of all CS's by state (alphabetical order)
If you've searched through the list of Certified Racquet Technicians and Certified Stringers, and still can't find a stringer near you, call the USRSA headquarters at 619-481-3545 or e-mail us at USRSA@aol.com. We'll give you the names and phone numbers of the nearest USRSA members. They have the correct information to string your racquet according to manufacturers' specifications and they're serious about racquet service. They're current members of the world's oldest, largest and most prestigious stringer's organization.
If you're a stringer who's interested in joining the USRSA or in taking either the CRT or the Certified Stringer test, or, if you're interested in attending a racquet service workshop, click here:
USRSA logo here - links to the membership brochure and application form (already on site, but add the following to that section:)
The USRSA membership is endorsed by some of the biggest names in racquet sports. Racquet corporate members include Dunlop, Ektelon, Head, Prince, Pro Kennex, Wilson and Yonex. String corporate members include Alpha, Ashaway, ATS, Babolat, Blue Star, Forten, Gamma, Gosen, Guterman, Klipspringer, Powers Court, Rocky Mountain Sports, Sufix, Tecnifibre, and TOA Strings.
If you're a player who's wondering what to look for in a stringer and in a string job, click here for some solid advice.
links to the following:
How can you judge the competence of your racquet stringer? If it's your first visit, a good stringer should ask you tons of questions. A few of the more obvious ones include:What's your playing level and style?
A good stringer will try to fit your equipment choices (racquet model, weight and balance and string model, thickness and tension) with your playing style and physique.
Also, your stringer might recommend replacing the grommet strip and bumperguard to keep your frame in good repair and your strings intact. He can show you the worn grommets and the chipped or worn bumperguard. Don't resist this replacement. It's a normal part of servicing your racquet (like replacing the tires on your car) and it'll add years to the frame's longevity and maximize the longevity of your strings.
You should pose a few questions of your own:
Once you get your racquet back after restringing, make sure there are no missed weaves in the string face, and no strings crossed over outside the frame at the top (sometimes this is unavoidable at the bottom). Also, make sure your frame was not deformed or cracked by the stringing process. If it was warped or cracked before stringing, your stringer should have called it to your attention.
The right stringer is truly a racquet technician. He can help maximize your on-court performance, extend the life of your racquet and strings and help mitigate arm and shoulder problems by making the right equipment recommendations and servicing your equipment properly. He's your silent partner on the court, and it behooves you to seek out a competent stringing professional.
The USRSA fulfills its commitment to excellence by:
The USRSA is dedicated to helping you enhance your racquet service business
with up to-the-minute product information, business tips, inside industry
information, a program of professional certification, and much more. Below
you'll find what annual membership has to offer.
Published annually and updated twice each year, the Stringer's Digest is the most comprehensive technical reference manual in the racquet industry. This 250 page workbook includes:
Our monthly technical magazine is filled with the latest stringing news and industry information you won't find anywhere else.
Your USRSA membership also provides:
Through its certification programs, the USRSA promotes professionals who demonstrate consistently high-quality racquet service in a retail environment. Certification status is recognized as the symbol of excellence in the racquet industry. It is supported industry wide, and is sponsored by the top brands in the field.
Certification is earned through a comprehensive test given by selected racquet service professionals nationwide. Once you become certified, you receive the active support of the USRSA and program sponsors through ongoing national advertising, manufacturers' point-of-purchase recommendations, promotional kits and press releases.
Australia, Victoria
Bruce Reynolds 03-9890-3011
CA, San Diego
Dave Prakken (619) 571-1511
CA, San Francisco Area
Ken Arnold (408) 867-5030
CANADA, Toronto
Dan Kerr (519) 534-3745
CO, Denver
Steven Vorhaus (303) 442-1412
FL, Clearwater
Kim Cashman (813) 442-7923
ENG. London
Paddy Ralston (0181) 946-4591
FL, Boca Raton
Jim Tierney (305) 480-4422
FL, Pensacola
Donald Kelley (904) 862-2023
GA, Atlanta
Dale Queen (770) 469-1555
HI, Oahu
Albert Murata (808) 373-1212
IL, Chicago
Mark Campanile (847) 847-2520
KS, Kansas City
Nathan Woker (913) 491-4116
LA, New Orleans
Lester Sack, Jr. (504) 282-0989
MA, Springfield
Darrel Darnell (413) 734-4444
MI, Lansing
Bruce Heeder (517) 349-1199
NC, Raleigh
John Zednick (919) 460-6479
NY, Jericho
Paul Kardel (516) 997-4060
OH, Cincinnati
Sylvius Von Saucken (513) 791-4636
PA, Philadelphia
Drew Sunderlin (215) 646-8574
SC, Hilton Head
Ron Gwyn (803) 842-2000
TX, Dallas
John Gugel (972) 931-8077
TX, Houston
Dave Neuhart (281) 367-1100
VA, Arlington
Gene Born (703) 522-2700
WA, Seattle
Scott Warren (206) 623-8972
(Note: Print this form and mail to address below, or, email it to us at: USRSA@AOL.com
Notice to International Members! Canada/Mexico add $18 per year. All other international members add $36 per year shipping charges.
Name__________________________________________________________ Company_______________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________ State/Zip_______________________________________________________ Country (if not USA)_____________________________________________ Telephone______________________________________________________ Payment by (circle one): Credit Card COD Check (C.O.D. orders, add $4.75 for C.O.D costs) VISA or MC#__________________________________________________ Exp. Date________________________________ Do you string at (circle one) Shop Club Home What stringing machine(s) do you use? ______________________________________________________________ Are you a teaching pro? Certified by (circle one): USPTA USPTR PARI
_____ Check here if you would like more information on the USRSA's certification programs.
Where did you hear about us?______________________________________ Name as you would like it to appear on your certificate? ______________________________________________________________
Send your application to:
United States Racquet Stringers Association
PO Box 40
Del Mar, CA 92014-9959
email: USRSA@AOL.com; phone: 619-481-0604; fax: 619-481-3545
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