Tennis Coach Gabe Harmat has been an athlete from a young age. He was a gymnast at age five and won competitions by eight. As he grew up, his love of sports continued, and he went on to participate in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, soccer, track and field, martial arts, and tennis.
As a young man, Gabe dreamed of moving from his native Israel to compete in tennis in the US. However, his aspiration was delayed — first by mandatory military training in Israel and later by the Yom Kippur War in 1973. After suffering a lot of heartache due to the loss of several comrades, Gabe came to America with only $200 in his pocket.
Despite these challenging obstacles, Gabe fulfilled his dream of competing successfully in the US. He also participated in several pro tournaments in France. Over time, he began to coach other players. Gabe obtained certification from the USPTA (P1) and the PTR (PRO).
Gabe’s Coaching Career
Gabe became an essential resource to the tennis community in southern California.
He successfully coached many nationally ranked juniors, college, and professional players, including Blake Spone of Columbia University, Mark Copeland of UCLA, Dan Dan, a China Federation Cup player, Harold Hecht of UC Berkeley, and Nir Wellgreen, a Top 200 A.T.P.
Gabe’s expertise was sought after not only by ranked athletes, but Hollywood wanted him too. Gabe mentored many entertainment industry greats. Johnny Carson, Malcolm McDowell, Perry Como, Don Ford of the Lakers, Maurice White of Earth, Wind, & Fire, the Olsen sisters, and Paul Sorvino were all students of Gabe.
Gabe coached at several prestigious institutions — Braemar Country Club, Porter Valley Country Club, Pacific Tennis Club, Justice Tennis Academy, The Merchant of Tennis, The Paseo Club, and several high schools. He was even awarded the USPTA pro of the year, not once, but twice.
He did not let his own ambitions fall by the wayside. During the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, he competed all over the world, including Israel, the US, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Spain, Scotland, and Sicily.
Tennis at the Paseo Club and trouble on the courts
Gabe began to teach tennis at the Paseo Club in 2020. He instructed group drills, including The Sunday Special, Coach Gabe's Live Ball Drills, and the USTA Drill, and offered private lessons.
Last July, in 2024, Gabe was teaching a private lesson when something caught his attention. He heard a loud crashing sound. Gabe looked in the direction of the sound and saw his friend and fellow tennis player Tony Lewis on the ground.
There are several ways people respond to a crisis situation. Common reactions are:
- Freezing - the shock of the event can hinder assessment and action
- Confusion - the surprise of the situation makes it difficult for people to comprehend
- Problem-solving - a certain segment of the population makes proactive steps to address the crisis
Gabe is a problem solver, so in a split second, he rushed to Tony to see what had happened. Tony had fallen and hit his head on a bench — which was the sound that Gabe heard. Gabe and fellow members turned Tony over to assess the situation.
When Gabe examined Tony, his heart sank. Tony had no pulse, was not breathing, and his eyes were rolled back in his head. Technically, Tony was dead.
Gabe did not want to give up. He began a full resuscitation effort, providing compressions to jump-start his heart beating. Someone called the paramedics, and in the interim, Gabe continued with CPR. This lasted for eight minutes, but it felt like an eternity.
When the paramedics came, they immediately took over treatment and rushed Tony — who was still unconscious — to the hospital. Before they left, one of the paramedics found Gabe, looked him in the eye, and told him that he had saved Tony’s life.
Gabe lost sleep the next few nights, reliving this event and worrying about Tony. Luckily, Tony survived, and as soon as he was well enough, he called Gabe to express his gratitude.
Turning to one another in times of need
It is unfortunate that the US is such a litigious country because it makes people scared to help one another. A Good Samaritan can easily become a Sued Samaritan. It was fortuitous for Tony that those concerns were the furthest thing from Gabe’s mind when he went to his aid.
Gabe first trained in CPR and First Aid during his military years and continued to attend certification programs over the years.
There is no age restriction for people who want to learn about First Aid and CPR. Children as young as nine have become certified, although local organizations may have stipulations. It is recommended that everyone become CPR/First Aid certified, and many jobs mandate it.
Here are some important facts to know about CPR and First Aid.
- CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
- More than 85% of cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital.
- Many victims do not have a history of heart disease and appear healthy.
- Cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, and firearms – combined.
- 70% of Americans feel helpless to act in the event of a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to effectively administer CPR or their training has lapsed.
Here is a list of CPR/First Aid training resources in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Optimizing your health for longevity
Coach Gabe is a great example of how to stay healthy and active into your golden years. Here are some tips from Gabe to help optimize your health and minimize serious injury.
Do not overtrain
More is not always better. You are likely not a pro player — do not train like one. Exercise in moderation — especially during high temps — and give yourself plenty of time to stretch, rest, and recover.
Be cautious of excess sun exposure
The Santa Clarita Valley gets hot, and too much time in the sun can lead to damage to the skin, eyes, and immune system. It can also cause cancer. In the short term, training outdoors on hot days puts you at risk for sun poisoning and sunstroke.
Be ready to act
Be ready to act if someone shows signs of cardiac arrest, is unconscious, not breathing, or has no pulse. Time is crucial in this situation, so there is no time to delay. The best way to be able to act quickly is to be certified in first aid and CPR.
Final thoughts on Coach Gabe and safety at the Paseo Club
Gabe has been a tennis professional for over 50 years, providing unparalleled experience, knowledge, and skill in the game of tennis. He is also a caring friend and a hero. The good news is Tony made a full recovery and is back in Gabe’s drills class.
Safety and well-being are the highest priority for The Paseo Club. Trainers and managers are trained in CPR and First Aid.
There are defibrillators available at the Front Desk, Fitness Center, Pool Deck by Cafe Order Window/Tribe Room Door, and at the end of the walkway for Tennis Courts #5 & #6. They can be used by people who are not trained in CPR or First Aid. The defibrillator has promptings that provide clear, step-by-step instructions and will only deliver a shock if necessary.
The Paseo Club is the Santa Clarita Valley destination for fitness, health, and connection. It offers tennis, pickleball, fitness, Pilates, and swimming. It also has several amenities to enjoy, including Kids Club childcare, a pro shop, and a spa.
Check out the social events at the club! Make friends and visit with fellow members at Wine Down Wednesday, Salsa Night, Karaoke Night, and Professional Mixers. We have something fun for everyone every month! Get your free guest pass to experience a day at the club.
Join the Paseo Club today and become a part of the community! Sign-up takes just a couple of minutes and you will instantly be granted access to all eight acres of the club.
