SDBC Pickleball

Welcome Letter

 

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. Played on a court with a 36" high net, games at SDBC are played as doubles (two people per side). Each player uses a solid paddle, made of wood or composite materials. To score points, you successfully hit a plastic ball (commonly known as a whiffle-ball) over the net, without it being successfully returned by their opponents.

The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the dimensions and layout of a doubles badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications. One of these modifications includes letting the ball bounce once on either side of the net for the first two hits of the game. Pickleball was invented outside Seattle in the mid-1960s as a children's backyard pastime, but has become popular among adults as well. It is now the fastest growing sport in North America.

 

Who Can Attend?

Our pickleball sessions are open to all adults interested in having fun and improving their fitness. Players are asked to only attend a maximum of two playing sessions per week, to give playing time to as many players as possible. Exceptions would be for session hosts and experienced players designated to assist with skill development. Please see check-in procedures below.

Player Levels

We have different sessions available to accommodate four skill levels. Players are encouraged to use the USAPA skill self-assessment sheets to determine which session it would be appropriate to attend.

Download Pickleball Skill Levels

Beginners: these are players who have never played or are fairly new to pickleball and are working towards understanding basic ground strokes, positional play, scoring, and are beginning to sustain play longer. These players are working towards a level 2.0 of play. If in doubt as to whether or not this session is for you, email us and we will try to assist you.

Novice: these players have participated in the beginner's lesson (see below) or equivalent, and fit the criteria established for a 2.5 skill level of play. 

Intermediate: these players are able to sustain play consistently and are at a level 2.5-3.0.

Advanced: players at this level can consistently sustain play at a faster pace and are at level 3.5 and above for competitive play. 

Available Sessions

Pre-registration required for all sessions (see below).

Schedule changes/cancellations

Monday evenings:

  • Session One (4:30PM-6PM): beginner / novice players (1.0-2.0)
  • Session Two (6PM-7:30PM): novice / intermediate players (2.5-3.0)
  • Session Three (7:30PM-9:30PM): intermediate / advanced players (3.25+)

Wednesday evenings:

  • Session One (4:30PM-6PM): novice / intermediate players (2.5-3.0)
  • Session Two (6PM-7:30PM): beginner lessons (max 4) and beginner / novice players (1.0-2.0)
  • Session Three (7:30PM-9:30PM): intermediate / advanced players (3.25+)

Thursday evenings:

  • Session One (5:30PM-6:30PM): (Skills only) beginner players only (1.0-2.25)
  • Session Two (6:30PM-8:00PM): intermediate players only (3.0-3.25)
  • Session Three (8:00PM-9:30PM): advanced players only (competitive; 3.5-4.0)

Saturday mornings:

  • Session One (8:30AM-10:00AM): novice / intermediate players (2.5-3.0)
  • Session Two (10:00AM-11:30AM): intermediate players (3.0-3.25)
  • Session Three (11:30AM-1:15PM): novice / intermediate players (2.5-3.0)
  • Session Four (1:15PM-3:00PM): intermediate / advanced players (3.25+)

Download Session Grid

Beginner Lessons
Introductory lessons for beginners will take place on Mondays from 4:30-5:45PM and Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30PM on Court Three. A maximum of four brand new players per evening will be taught the basics of the game covering how to hold the paddle, forehand and backhand strokes, and serving. As time permits, we will go into teaching games. Registration is required and is available a month in advance of the date you wish to take the lesson. If, for any reason, you cannot attend a lesson you have signed up for, please cancel as soon as possible on PlayTime Scheduler to allow players from the waiting list to attend. 
 
Beginner / Novice Sessions
We offer two beginner / novice sessions per week on Court One and Two while lessons are taught on Court Three. One session is on Mondays from 4:30-5:45PM and the second session is on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30PM.

Beginner Skill Session
There is one skill session, just for beginners, on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30PM. In this session, we will practice basic skills and strategies that are designed to improve a beginner player's game. There may be times that we introduce teaching games where coaches will use game situations to demonstrate strategies or how a certain skill can be used. This session is a complimentary session if a player has attended another beginner session in the week, otherwise the $3 registration fee applies.

Novice and Intermediate Skill Sessions (Saturdays - temporarily suspended until the fall)
We offer two identical skill practice sessions on Saturday for those players at a novice or intermediate level. Session One takes place from 9:00AM–10:00AM and Session Two from 10:00AM-11:00AM. Each week, we will focus on one or two skills, including the forehand, backhand, serving, drop shots, lobs, and dinking, etc. Each session is limited to 12 participants to allow for as much skill practice as possible. Novice and intermediate players may register for this session in addition to two other sessions for the week. This is a complimentary session for those with a paid registration at a later Saturday session, otherwise the $3 registration fee applies.

Email SDBC Pickleball

Download Pickleball Skill Levels

How Do You Register to Play?

Pre-registration via PlayTime Scheduler is required to attend our pickleball sessions. If you do not already have a free account, you can get one by clicking the button below. Then, simply log in to your account and choose what sessions you wish to play in by clicking on the SDBC circle icon for the session date and time you wish to join. Registration for sessions will go live on Friday evenings between 4 and 8PM for the upcoming week. 

How Often Can You Play in a Week?

We ask you to register for only one or two playing sessions per week and only one skill session per week. This allows as many people as possible to attend. It is very important to sign up for the waitlist if you can't get into your desired session and to cancel your registration if you can't attend. Not only does this allow someone else to attend, but it gives us important feedback as to where we may need to make adjustments to our schedule.

Click here to register

Cancellations

If you cannot attend the session you are registered for, please cancel on PlayTime Scheduler as soon as possible. This allows the next person on the waiting list to attend as they will be automatically notified by email of an opening. Likewise, we would encourage you to keep checking on sessions you are interested in, as cancellations will open up spots.

Cost & Entry to Sessions

Cost per session is $3. Pre-registered players must enter by the courtyard door next to the washroom/foyer as done previously. Your session host will be there to welcome you before going into the gym. Please note that masks are no longer required, however, feel free to wear one if you wish. Vaccination checks will not be done. If you have any symptoms of Covid or have had Covid in the last two weeks, we ask that you do not attend the session.

Please do not show up more than 10 minutes before your session.

Don't worry if you don't have your own equipment as we provide pickleballs and have extra paddles available, along with hand sanitizer!

The fees collected will be used to cover expenses and to support local charities. In the past, fees have been used to purchase balls, paddles, posts, and a new net. We have supported both the SDBC Food Bank and Delta Assist with a food drive. In addition, we have made monetary donations to Delta Assist Family and Community Services, W.I.N.G.S (women's shelter), South Delta Food Bank, Starfish Pack South Delta (school food program), Stroke Recovery Society, Meals on Wheels, and BC Guide Dogs on behalf of all of us at SDBC Pickleball.

Latest Schedule Changes

Please see below for scheduled cancellations. Any unscheduled or last minute schedule changes will be communicated via our newsletter. If you have signed up for a session using Playtime Scheduler, you will also receive an email from them indicating your session has been cancelled.

April 1st: all sessions cancelled
May 4th: all sessions cancelled

Newsletters

If you would like to receive our monthly newsletters which contain pertinent information related to SDBC Pickleball, tips and notices of cancellations, please join our mailing list. This is the only way we can notify you of last-minute cancellations due to weather, power outages, or unscheduled use of the church facilities.

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Newsletter Archive

If you would like more information about pickleball, please email us.