A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical a valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient including a pair of paddles, and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the paddles are moved to the open position by moving a pivot point of each paddle in an outward direction and pivoting each of the paddles about the pivot point of the paddle. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient when the paddles are in the closed position.