Pickleball for All Ages in Viera
Brevardtimes.com - March 26, 2012
Viera, Florida - Pickleball is now being offered for players of all ages and skill levels at the Viera Regional Community Center so sign up now.
Pickleball games and instruction will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:45 pm Monday through Thursday. Cost is $2.
Equipment is provided through Brevard County Parks and Recreation.
The Viera Regional Community Center is located at 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.
For more information, call Viera Regional Community Center at (321) 433-4891.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Good Life Games - Pickleball in Seminole
Submitted by:
Kristyn Sabbag
Recreation Leader II, City of Seminole
Pictures compliments of Jim McAvaddy
"The City of Seminole was pleased to host the Annual Good Life Games at our Recreation Complex again. We had two fun filled days of intense play and long rallies, consisting of players from around the Tampa Bay Area, Anna Maria Island and as far as Canada, NY and PA!
The tournament went smoothly and ended with very tired players; you could say they got their pickleball fix for the week! We look forward to next year and hope more players will come out and play this fast paced game that has become very popular!"
Kristyn Sabbag
Recreation Leader II, City of Seminole
Pictures compliments of Jim McAvaddy
"The City of Seminole was pleased to host the Annual Good Life Games at our Recreation Complex again. We had two fun filled days of intense play and long rallies, consisting of players from around the Tampa Bay Area, Anna Maria Island and as far as Canada, NY and PA!
The tournament went smoothly and ended with very tired players; you could say they got their pickleball fix for the week! We look forward to next year and hope more players will come out and play this fast paced game that has become very popular!"
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tanglewood Players attend Pickleball Skills Clinics
On Saturday and Sunday March 24th and 25th, New Tampa Ambassador Rich Donald and Tanglewood's Linda Kramer conducted pickleball clinics for the Tanglewood Pickleball Club members. Nearly 40 players showed up over the two days to participate - some coming back the second day to make sure they didn't miss a thing!
Below are a few pictures of the players working hard to capture all the information being provided; the proper grip, court placement, ground stroke and volley techniques, lobs, line calling and tips on dinking/the soft game.
The participants spent a little time listening, a little time practicing and a little time asking questions and went home with a lot of information to help them improve their game.
The Tanglewood Pickleball Club is very proud of the level of play of many of their members, and does a great job finding ways to help their members improve and take their game to the next level.
At the end of each day, all the players drew from the hat to see who would take home some additional training tools! It was the ladies who took the prize this time! Below Rich and Linda present players with Coach Mo's 21 Skills Clinic Video! One of the best tools around for improving your level of play.
Below are a few pictures of the players working hard to capture all the information being provided; the proper grip, court placement, ground stroke and volley techniques, lobs, line calling and tips on dinking/the soft game.
The participants spent a little time listening, a little time practicing and a little time asking questions and went home with a lot of information to help them improve their game.
The Tanglewood Pickleball Club is very proud of the level of play of many of their members, and does a great job finding ways to help their members improve and take their game to the next level.
At the end of each day, all the players drew from the hat to see who would take home some additional training tools! It was the ladies who took the prize this time! Below Rich and Linda present players with Coach Mo's 21 Skills Clinic Video! One of the best tools around for improving your level of play.
Pickleball Tournament - Indian Creek Resort
Submitted by:
Morris Wheat
Atlantic South Ambassador-at-Large
"We just finished a tournament here at Indian Creek Resort, Fort Myers Beach, Florida today March 24, 2012. Had 19 teams of mixed doubles. Rick Stoecker was the director of tourney which was for residents of the Resort. Played all games to 11 win by two and with teams playing best out of three games. Tourney took a little over 4 hours as we have only two court at this time.
Prior to play Sandy Griffin, our Committee President, honored our oldest player, John Geni, a WW II veteran (92),with a photo certificate and Resort Pickleball "T" Shirt. This player had just mentioned the day before that he thought next year he would need a new paddle as the one he has is 8 years old. You just got to love his enthusiasm and optimism.
The winners of the tourney were Andy VanVliet and Jeanne Blanchard. First runner up team Jim Ashley and Phyllis Reisgies. Second runner up team of Bruce Wade and Kathy McDonough. All teams were picked by blind draw. These players are from all over the country and Canada who winter here in Fort Myers Beach. All the other players and spectators enjoyed watching some pretty intense Pickleball play on one of our warm sunny Florida days.
Morris Wheat
Atlantic South Ambassador-at-Large
"We just finished a tournament here at Indian Creek Resort, Fort Myers Beach, Florida today March 24, 2012. Had 19 teams of mixed doubles. Rick Stoecker was the director of tourney which was for residents of the Resort. Played all games to 11 win by two and with teams playing best out of three games. Tourney took a little over 4 hours as we have only two court at this time.
Prior to play Sandy Griffin, our Committee President, honored our oldest player, John Geni, a WW II veteran (92),with a photo certificate and Resort Pickleball "T" Shirt. This player had just mentioned the day before that he thought next year he would need a new paddle as the one he has is 8 years old. You just got to love his enthusiasm and optimism.
This will be our last competition for the season. Our Group here in the Resort has grown over the last 8 years of play here in the Resort. There are now over 120 completive players and probably another 60 social players with new players coming on all the time. This next season the Sun Communities Indian Creek Resort is to have a third court ready for us with hope on the fourth court soon after that.
The number of players and the level of play here in the Resort has been great. This game is a specific draw of new residents to this Resort each year. Rumor has it that some pickleball players have moved here from the Villages."
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Pickleball in Southwest Florida!
Submitted by:
Cindy Eddleman/Nancy Meyer
USAPA Ambassadors, Southwest Florida
Pickleball in Southwest Florida has EXPLODED!
"We recently did a clinic at Riverside RV Resort in Arcadia. They have a brand new Pickleball court and about 40-50 people eager to learn how to play. They started playing a couple of years ago in the parking lot and when the insurance company said they couldn't do that, the management built them a court.
We recently did two clinics at Heron's Glen in North Ft Myers. They have six tennis courts that they tape off each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. They have just petitioned the Community Association to be recognized as an official sport at Heron's Glen. They have about 40 regulars and 50-60 more waiting to learn this exciting new sport. They have asked us to come back!
I am sendig photos of the following clinics and communities that we have been to this past month. Paseo, Heritage Palms, Riverside RV Resort, East Naples Community Park, and The Skatium in downtown Ft. Myers.
We also did a presentation for the Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA). This was an hour long class with the focus on how to market pickleball to your recreation center participants. We used a power point and the USAPA video as well as "hands on" letting them hit a ball over a net that we set up.
And we recently met with the City of Ft. Myers who contacted us after reading all the articles in the paper saying that Lee County needs more courts. They have a Skatium that will hold at least six courts. They taped a court and we took a net and paddles to see how the ball bounced on their floor. It is used as an indoor soccer field and roller hockey rink at various times during the week. They are going to open for Pickleball on Thursdays from 6:15 to 8:15 and Saturday morinings from 7:30 to 10 am. If they have good response, they are willing to open it everyday for Pickleball."
This is just a couple of month's work for these two and all while they were spearheading the pickleball events for the Collier County, Lee County and Charlotte County Senior games.
Cindy Eddleman/Nancy Meyer
USAPA Ambassadors, Southwest Florida
Pickleball in Southwest Florida has EXPLODED!
"We recently did a clinic at Riverside RV Resort in Arcadia. They have a brand new Pickleball court and about 40-50 people eager to learn how to play. They started playing a couple of years ago in the parking lot and when the insurance company said they couldn't do that, the management built them a court.
We recently did two clinics at Heron's Glen in North Ft Myers. They have six tennis courts that they tape off each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. They have just petitioned the Community Association to be recognized as an official sport at Heron's Glen. They have about 40 regulars and 50-60 more waiting to learn this exciting new sport. They have asked us to come back!
I am sendig photos of the following clinics and communities that we have been to this past month. Paseo, Heritage Palms, Riverside RV Resort, East Naples Community Park, and The Skatium in downtown Ft. Myers.
And we recently met with the City of Ft. Myers who contacted us after reading all the articles in the paper saying that Lee County needs more courts. They have a Skatium that will hold at least six courts. They taped a court and we took a net and paddles to see how the ball bounced on their floor. It is used as an indoor soccer field and roller hockey rink at various times during the week. They are going to open for Pickleball on Thursdays from 6:15 to 8:15 and Saturday morinings from 7:30 to 10 am. If they have good response, they are willing to open it everyday for Pickleball."
This is just a couple of month's work for these two and all while they were spearheading the pickleball events for the Collier County, Lee County and Charlotte County Senior games.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Charlotte County Senior Games
The Charlotte County, Fit for Life Senior Games took place on March 16-18, 2012 at the South County Community Park in Punta Gorda, Fl.
The tournament, directed by Southwest Florida ambassadors, Nancy Meyer and Cindy Eddleman featured singles, doubles and mixed doubles competition. This was a double elimination tournament played best two out of three games to 11 points in the winners bracket. Matches in the back draw were played one game to 15 points.
Results are posted on the USAPA Results Page
CLICK HERE for photo gallery.
Results are posted on the USAPA Results Page
CLICK HERE for photo gallery.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Meet Bill and Karla Gerzcak
Bil and Karla Gerczak
Ambassadors - St. Pete Beach, Florida
We hail from Clarkston, Michigan. About 4 years ago, the Senior Center in our area sponsored a pickleball demonstration put on by two ambassadors. We absolutely loved it! When we came down to Florida, we hooked up with Jim Wikoff and Carol Walker who were promoting pickleball at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. We pitched in teaching people how to play and score. The St. Petersburg Times did an article on us on Sundaym January 17, 2010 and it put pickleball on the map at the St. Pete Beach Center. We have enjoyed meeting new people and teaching the game we love. It has been a natural progression for us to become ambassadors of the sport. We currently spend much of the year in S. Pasadaena, Fl . Bill is retired from the took and die industry. Karla is a retired special education teacher. We enjoy traveling, tennis, swimming and of course pickleball.
Ambassadors - St. Pete Beach, Florida
We hail from Clarkston, Michigan. About 4 years ago, the Senior Center in our area sponsored a pickleball demonstration put on by two ambassadors. We absolutely loved it! When we came down to Florida, we hooked up with Jim Wikoff and Carol Walker who were promoting pickleball at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. We pitched in teaching people how to play and score. The St. Petersburg Times did an article on us on Sundaym January 17, 2010 and it put pickleball on the map at the St. Pete Beach Center. We have enjoyed meeting new people and teaching the game we love. It has been a natural progression for us to become ambassadors of the sport. We currently spend much of the year in S. Pasadaena, Fl . Bill is retired from the took and die industry. Karla is a retired special education teacher. We enjoy traveling, tennis, swimming and of course pickleball.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Some GREAT Pickleball Growth in Cary, NC and surrounding areas!!
Submitted by
Mike Walsh,
Ambassador, Cary, NC
February was a short month, but I do have several Pickleball events to report:
(1) The Briarcreek subdivision held their 2nd Friday night pizza/pickleball event, thanks to the efforts of Tricia Tumminello. They had a good turnout with several "new to pickleball" players. They held a 5-game round robin competition, ending with a 'Kings and Queens" final. The group has scheduled similar functions for March 23rd, April 13th, and May 11th.
(2) Today I received a call back from the Raleigh-Wake Senior Games co-coordinator, indicating that he has scheduled me to lead a demo event on May 3rd from 12 noon until 2 PM. That should be a good launch for Pickleball to be scheduled in subsequent senior game competitions.
(3) On March 31st, our Cary group will host our first non-sanctioned tournament. This mixed doubles event is for the purpose of both skill development and expanding our knowledge of tournament planning and hosting. If all goes well, we will likely schedule a sanctioned tournament in the Fall.
(4) The homeowners board of the Weatherstone sub-division has endorsed Pickleball, and asked me to lead a demo event scheduled on their tennis courts on March 24th at 1PM.
(5) Luis Vasquez ( our newly appointed ambassador) has been spearheading the introduction of Pickleball at the Harrison Grande apartment/condo complex. He taped a court for outdoor play and has hosted introductory games, as well as passed out flyers to a high percentage of the residents.
My wife Lyn and I were in Florida for the month, so these next items pertain to our Pickleball activities there:
6) While playing at the Bonita Springs Community center, I informed Barb Wolf, a new player, that USAPA has ambassadors who are willing to help start Pickleball. Subsequently, she made contact with the ambassador in her area and will be starting Pickleball play in South Bend, IN, when she returns home.
(7) At the request of Bud Standler (Pres. of the homeowners board) and Pat Bradford (a Rochester mixed doubles silver medal winner), we staged a demo clinic at the Bridgewater Bay condo complex in Naples. Bud had constructed a court and he and Pat had several other members of their community there to learn and play.
Mike Walsh,
Ambassador, Cary, NC
February was a short month, but I do have several Pickleball events to report:
(1) The Briarcreek subdivision held their 2nd Friday night pizza/pickleball event, thanks to the efforts of Tricia Tumminello. They had a good turnout with several "new to pickleball" players. They held a 5-game round robin competition, ending with a 'Kings and Queens" final. The group has scheduled similar functions for March 23rd, April 13th, and May 11th.
(2) Today I received a call back from the Raleigh-Wake Senior Games co-coordinator, indicating that he has scheduled me to lead a demo event on May 3rd from 12 noon until 2 PM. That should be a good launch for Pickleball to be scheduled in subsequent senior game competitions.
(3) On March 31st, our Cary group will host our first non-sanctioned tournament. This mixed doubles event is for the purpose of both skill development and expanding our knowledge of tournament planning and hosting. If all goes well, we will likely schedule a sanctioned tournament in the Fall.
(4) The homeowners board of the Weatherstone sub-division has endorsed Pickleball, and asked me to lead a demo event scheduled on their tennis courts on March 24th at 1PM.
(5) Luis Vasquez ( our newly appointed ambassador) has been spearheading the introduction of Pickleball at the Harrison Grande apartment/condo complex. He taped a court for outdoor play and has hosted introductory games, as well as passed out flyers to a high percentage of the residents.
My wife Lyn and I were in Florida for the month, so these next items pertain to our Pickleball activities there:
6) While playing at the Bonita Springs Community center, I informed Barb Wolf, a new player, that USAPA has ambassadors who are willing to help start Pickleball. Subsequently, she made contact with the ambassador in her area and will be starting Pickleball play in South Bend, IN, when she returns home.
(7) At the request of Bud Standler (Pres. of the homeowners board) and Pat Bradford (a Rochester mixed doubles silver medal winner), we staged a demo clinic at the Bridgewater Bay condo complex in Naples. Bud had constructed a court and he and Pat had several other members of their community there to learn and play.
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