Words by Margaret Koenig
The distinctive pop of a pickleball as it hits the paddle has become an increasingly prevalent sound nationwide—including on the Peninsula. First invented in 1965, pickleball has become widely popular. Today, it’s become known as America’s fastest growing sport. Tempted to give it a try but unsure where to start? We’ve got you! Think of this as Pickleball 101 for Peninsulans.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of ping-pong, tennis and badminton. It’s played by either singles or doubles teams on a badminton-sized court using paddles and a hollow, perforated plastic ball. Though similar to tennis, pickleball is generally considered easier to learn, making it a more accessible kind of racquet sport.
“Beginners can feel accomplished in a very short time,” says Monica Williams, co-founder and former president of the Palo Alto Pickleball Club, one of the foremost pickleball organizations on the Peninsula. “I give an enormous amount of complimentary beginner lessons and can have them playing within an hour. That is very appealing to beginners.”
Gearing Up
Another part of the appeal is that it requires very little equipment to start—all you’ll need is a paddle, a few balls and a place to play. Pickleball paddles come in a range of shapes and sizes, with each style offering its own benefits. Wooden paddles are a popular choice for beginners due to their affordability and durability, but graphite and composite paddles can offer more maneuverability and control, making them a more suitable choice for intermediate and advanced players. Paddles also come in three different sizes: standard, the most common type; elongated paddles, for athletes seeking greater reach and control; and wide-body paddles, the easiest type for beginners to use.
Local tennis shops on the Peninsula like Tennis Town & Country in Palo Alto, Tennis Station in Burlingame and Swetka’s Tennis Shop in Mountain View all offer a broad range of high-quality paddles for players of all skill levels. Not confident about which paddle to purchase? Tennis Town & Country and Tennis Station both allow you to “demo,” so you can try out a paddle to make sure you’ve found the perfect fit. All three stores also sell balls, shoes and any other equipment you might need.
When choosing a paddle, Monica advises beginners not to buy one “until you’ve had a chance to try a few different paddles and you find one that feels just right for you.”
Where to Play
From public courts to private clubs, there’s no shortage of places to play pickleball on the Peninsula. Mitchell Park in Palo Alto is regarded as one of the best public facilities, offering designated courts for beginners and singles. In Redwood City, drop-in outdoor courts can be found at Red Morton, Andrew Spinas, Marlin and Mezes parks; Red Morton Community Center also has several indoor courts.
At Nealon and Kelly parks in Menlo Park, pickleball courts can be reserved online, as can Alexander and Hallmark parks’ courts in Belmont.
San Mateo also offers plenty of places to play, both indoor and outdoor. Central Park has six dedicated pickleball courts, while Bayside/Joinville Park and Los Prados both have dual-use pickleball and tennis courts. For those who would prefer to play in an indoor space, you can use San Mateo High School Gym’s drop-in pickleball courts for a small fee.
Clubs, Clinics and Community
While many players learn by simply showing up at a public court, lessons can be a helpful way to master the basics quickly. The Half Moon Bay Pickleball Academy offers both private and group lessons, and various clubs on the Peninsula can also provide new players with a supportive community and source of guidance when getting started.
Located at Mitchell Park, the Palo Alto Pickleball Club offers beginner sessions, round-robin tournaments and clinics for players of all skill and experience levels. The Foster City Pickleball Club also hosts tournaments, as well as intro sessions for new players at the Foster City Pickleball Courts. For those looking to jump in and start playing, the Mountain View Pickleball Club holds open play at Rengstorff Park daily from 9AM to 9PM, and the Burlingame Pickleball Group has drop-in pickleball courts at Washington, Ray and Laguna parks.
Nervous about showing up alone and not having anyone who will play with you? Don’t be. One of the biggest draws of pickleball is the social aspect. Players can just show up at a court and easily find a game to join at their level. “Pickleball is welcoming and inclusive, very social, and it brings a community together,” says Monica. “Our club’s motto is: ‘Arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend.’”
play ball – pickleheads.com
GO CLUBBING It’s hard to say what pickleball enthusiasts like best, the game or the active community that plays it. Check out these Peninsula clubs for tournaments, tips and support for beginners. + Burlingame - burlingamepickleball.org + Foster City - fostercitypickleballclub.org + Mountain View - mvpickle.org + Palo Alto - paloaltopickleballclub.org