Life & Work with Marcus Canillas of Venice Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Canillas.

Hi Marcus, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in West Adams playing sports in the streets—football, basketball, you name it. I had dreams of going into football, but I was too small for that. I dabbled in music for a while, even brought my guitar down to Venice Beach. But over time, my guitar got replaced by a paddle racket. That’s when everything changed. Paddle tennis had everything I loved, sport, strategy, and competition, and it was all right by the ocean. Can’t get better than that. I started playing daily, got better fast, and eventually won open-level tournaments. As I became more known in the community, people started asking if they could hit with me, pick up tips, or just get in a good workout. That’s when I created Hit With Marcus.

Now, I hit with players of all levels on the Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Courts. My mission is simple: to make paddle tennis fun, competitive, and accessible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, no. Like I said, I grew up playing sports in the streets, and it’s the same vibe now with paddle tennis. It’s all free through LA Parks and Recreation, which is great, but there are definitely some downsides: cracked courts, broken nets. But I’m happy here. No matter how tough life gets, I know I can always come to the courts and lose myself in the game.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love sports—basketball, golf, anything that keeps me moving, which is why paddle tennis clicked for me. I’ve been playing for decades and have built a strong reputation in the community. What sets me apart is my ability to connect. I meet each player where they’re at and help them improve one hit at a time. Whether you’re brand new to the sport, a weekend warrior looking to sharpen your skills, or someone training for a tournament, I customize each session to your goals and style of play.

I’m also most proud of the people I’ve mentored—including my son, who played at Caltech and set the single-season scoring record (482 points) and became second-youngest player to hit 1,000 career points! I’m also newly married to my wife, a Canadian gold medalist in Filipino martial arts and boxing. She had never played paddle or tennis before we met, and now I coach her. Her dedication and willingness to grow constantly push me to stay sharp and keep evolving as a player and coach and husband.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve definitely taken my share of risks—both in sports and in life. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of resources, but I always had the drive. I took chances and put myself out there, trying new things even when I didn’t have a coach or mentor to guide me. It was all trial and error, learning through experience, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

Finding paddle tennis was one of the biggest turning points. It wasn’t a mainstream sport, and there was no clear path to follow, but it just felt right. I showed up, trained hard, and stuck with it through all the ups and downs.

Risk is about betting on yourself, especially when no one else does or sees the full picture. Creating Hit With Marcus was a natural step because I believed in the value I could offer and the community I could build. So come down to the Venice Beach Paddle Courts, say hi, and take the first step toward something new—and maybe you’ll become addicted too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hitwithmarcus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitwithmarcus/?hl=en
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hit-with-marcus-los-angeles