Autumn is upon us! And while we don't currently have anything pumpkin spice flavored to lure you in, we're pretty sure pickleball will do the trick if you took the summer off from playing indoors.
As always, we have a lot of exciting information to share with the ever-growing RECS community. Here are a few teasers.
Trivia Night -- TONIGHT! + Open Play, see below for more info
65+ Open Play on weekdays from 1 to 3 PM is only $2!
Thursday Nights will feature Ladies Only Round Robin, starting 9/29
The "Clack Attack" tourney at the end of October is filling up, and the registration fee increases on 10/1
We were in Pickleball Magazine!
First, though...
FALL/WINTER MEMBERSHIP
We are OH SO CLOSE to launching winter membership and pricing options!
With the weather changing very soon, there is of course a lot of interest in what these options will be. We are making sure that we are able to offer options that we think you are going to be excited about.
You will be receiving an email in the next few days -- be sure to watch for it, as at least one option will be limited in quantity and availability.
In the meantime, all summer pricing remains in effect.
For anyone 65 and over, your best option was, is, and will still will be the Fitness Benefit membership! For more information, click here.
SPECIAL EVENT: TRIVIA NIGHT!
TONIGHT! (9/22) @ripcitytrivia will host our first ever TRIVIA NIGHT @ RECS!
There is no charge. Just call 503-655-PLAY to register your team (2 to 4 people).
Max capacity is 28 people.
You may sign up for one or both sessions:
+ 6-7 PM
+ 7-8 PM
Session prizes: First - $15 GC, 2nd - $10 GC.
You will be able to order pizza by the slice and of course we have lots of tasty beverage options.
Call 503-655–PLAY to register. There are only a few spots left!!
Lastly, if you would also like to play some pickleball before or after, we have added Open Play sessions. Register through Court Reserve or over the phone.
FALL PROGRAMMING @ RECS
This will be our first fall season at RECS, and we plan on keeping you BUSY learning, playing, and socializing! In addition to offerings such as clinics and Open Play, we will also be launching LEAGUES!
CLINICS
Getting Started
If you are just beginning your pickleball journey, or just begun to take it seriously, here are the clinics that you need to sign up for, all of which can be found in greater details at WeareRECS.com/Learn.
FREE Introduction to Pickleball Class
Beginner Skills Series(4 classes)
The Basics: Footwork, Swing Mechanics, Serve and Returns
Mixed Doubles with Joy Leising and Wes Gabrielsen - Monday, 9/26
Looking to improve your mixed doubles performance as a team? Sign up for this informative clinic with multi-time national champions and pickleball instructors Joy Leising and Wes Gabrielsen. These two will guide you through the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful mixed doubles team. Topics include shot selection, court coverage, communication strategies, and strategies for success.
We recommend that you sign up with your regular mixed doubles partner!
Resetting from Anywhere Consider this a "companion class" to Steve Paranto's "Beat the Bangers."
Proper shot selection in pickleball heavily relies on being able to reset the ball when you are on the defense or in a bad location on the court. Learning to reset from everywhere allows players to gain a better court position so they can be aggressive when the opportunity arises. Register here
Drill and Play
Many people would rather play games than drill, but drilling is how you will elevate your game to that next level. Plus, it CAN be fun! Try out this new class at RECS that combines not only a small group-guided drilling opportunity, but also play time with a professional pickleball coach to take your game to that next level.
Some of the drills may include target dinking, lobs and overheads, push volleys and resets, keeping balls in the kitchen and more. You will drill and then the latter portion of the class will be devoted to playing in front of a certified instructor who will provide feedback to help you improve your strategy and skills while actively playing.
The Basics
The community of Instructors who teach at RECS has to be one of the best in the country. We are extremely fortunate to have such experienced, friendly, and effective instructors teaching our members. To be approved to provide private, paid lessons at RECS, Instructors must be certified (IPTPA or PPR). Please note: all booking and payment (voluntary tips withstanding) are to go through RECS via Court Reserve.
To book a private lesson, you must have a Court Reserve account and a membership level with RECS. If you are a Member (Founding Member, Gold, Winter Special, or Fitness Benefit), you will be able to book a lesson 28 days in advance. A "Visitor" will also be able to book a private lesson, but with a much shorter advance booking window of 7 days. No membership level will be able to book a lesson any less than 24 hours out.
Booking a private lesson
Once you're logged into your Court Reserve account, you will see "Book a Lesson" as an option, either on the app or on the top navigation of the website dashboard. You will then have to choose an Instructor based on his or her availability, and then the following:
- Date and time
- Number of participants (1, 2, 3, or 4)
The Instructor will then be notified via a Court Reserve notification and "Approve" or "Decline" the reservation. (Please note: as long as the instructor's schedule is up to date, lessons *should* always be approved, however, of course sometimes there are emergencies and last minute scheduled changes that can affect an instructor's availability.
Please email info@weareRECS.com with any questions!
PLAY SESSIONS
Our Fall Calendar for Organized Play Sessions is Shaping Up
First off, all Open Play (and other Group Play) is easily found on our website on, appropriately, the "Play" page.
There are Open Play sessions for different skill levels on most days. And on weekdays from 1 to 3 PM, we have an Open Play specifically for 65+ individuals for only $2!
Ladies Night Round Robin
Starting on 9/29, Thursday nights will be Ladies Night Round Robin at different skill levels, starting with 3.5 to 4.0. We will expand the offering to include other skill ranges as the demand grows.
"Win Up, Lose Down"
OK we've finally settled on a name that should stick!
On weeknights that we offer this format (Mondays for 3.5 to 4.0, Wednesdays for 4.0 to 4.5), you split from your teammate after each 12-minute game. It's not a round robin or a ladder, but it does have elements of both. You do NOT need a partner. However....
On Sunday nights, rather than splitting after each game, you and your chosen partner both register for the event, and you stay together for the entire session, moving up and down based on your game results.
This is PERFECT for teams that are preparing for tournaments, such as Clack Attack at RECS Oct. 28th - 30th! (scroll down for more info). On Sunday nights, we will seed teams from the outset, and our goal is to fill all 9 courts with 18 teams. The skill level range is anywhere from 3.0 and above, as the format should ensure that teams soon will be playing teams at or near their skill level, especially if seeded accurately from the outset.
Coming soon: LEAGUE PLAY! Rally your squad. STAY TUNED...
This is surely one of the most often heard questions in pickleball -- a close 2nd to "Who knows the score?!" We've shared some thoughts on this subject that we encourage you to readon the "Play" page our website.
If you are interested in participating in a beta test "skinny singles" event to be given a "ratings range" that Steve Paranto and Paul Porch (the two individuals whose campaigns essentially forced USA Pickleball to adopt an algorithm-based ratings system seven years ago) are collaborating on, please email info@weareRECS.com and type "ratings event" in the subject line.
Registration Fee increases on October 1st; closes on October 20th.
As the leader in the Portland-metro market for indoor pickleball, both Pro and Amateurs are invited to the 2022 Clack Attack @ RECS held the last weekend in October.
Space is limited each day, so do not delay - register now!
Here are some commonly asked questions: With more than 80 players registered, when will registration stop?
We have a per day limit of "paid teams" If you do not link up to a partner, do not give up as you are the first recommendation for any replacement partners.
When I register I want to play up in skill - how do I do that?
Please update your player profile for the impacted event.
When can I see the teams in each division? (such as 4.0 19+)
Since this is non sanctioned, we can be as creative as necessary to have the best player experience. You may see 52 to 59 year old divisions and 62-66 year old groups. This is to have the best balance of teams for more consistent play.
Please Note: Referees are needed, and training is provided. Anyone who referees for the tournament will receive court time credit and more. If you are interested, please email info@weareRECS.com with "Referee Interest" in the subject line!
TRAVELING CAMPS
CLICK THE IMAGE FOR INFO & TO REGISTER!
PRESS
It was an honor to be featured in the Sept/Oct issue of Pickleball Magazine
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone, but we were happy to make some great memories with many of you.
Rachel Rapinoe and her team (upper left image above) from Mendi came by for a "Learn and Play" session, in which she talked with a full room of RECS players and friends about Mendi's CBD wellness and recovery products, which we are now selling in our Player's Lounge.
We held our first Kids Camp sessions with the help of the ever-popular Joey Lutostanksi (upper right above). We will be adding more programming specifically for kids, ages 8 and up.
Highly sought after and well-traveled local Instructors Kevin Beeson and Tony Tollenaar ran an excellent 3-day Engage Pickleball camp that many of our RECS members attended (lower left image above) and raved about.
Benchmade Knives (lower right image above) used their Wellness Program budget to bring employees for 8 consecutive Sundays, the first an introductory class. It was really cool seeing everyone go from total beginners to proper pickleballers over the course of their residency at RECS!
Here are some of the other special and private events that we really enjoyed hosting:
Teaching the Portland Pickles staff how to play pickleball
Saints Soccer Academy U-11 Soccertennis Round Robin
Happy Valley Parks and Recreation Introduction to Pickleball class
Mary's Woods Independent Living Community pickelaball intro sessions
West Linn High School Boys Varsity and JV Soccertennis Round Robin
And many more -- thank you Floyd Light Middle School, General Sheet Metal, View Acres Elementary, Dermatologists of America, just to name a few!
Don't forget! Upon arrival, there is now an official Check-in Procedure.
When you arrive, you can check yourself in! To do so:
Download the Court Reserve app to your mobile device (if you haven't already),
Make sure you're logged into the app when you arrive and
From your dashboard, push the small digital "button" in the top right corner, which will open a QR code.
Scan this code at the counter in the Player's Lounge until you hear a beep.
The device connected to the scanner will show you details of your reservation or event.
You're checked in!
Lost & Found
Sweatshirts, water bottles, equipment, and more. Once again, trips to Goodwill will be taking place soon, so come claim your missing items ASAP!
As always, be safe and well. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Sincerely,
Kevin Richards
Founder & Co-Owner
RECS Partners LLC 503-655-PLAY
