We have added, and will continue to add, instructional programming, including:
Clinic from Pros Wes Gabrielsen and Erik Lange on May 7 for 4.0 level RECS members (details below)
Intermediate Skills Series from Tracie DeJager (details below)
Private lessons from certified Instructors in a variety of format options
Additionally, we are continuing to offer a FREE Introduction to Pickleball class on Wednesdays and Sundays for any first-timers. For those who have taken the class and are wondering "what's next", we will soon be adding a Beginner Boot Camp to start honing those new skills and building confidence for games.
Please Note: Clinics, other than the free introductory class, are for members -- see below on how to sign up for a membership, or view membership options here!
Special Clinic from Erik & Wes for RECS 4.0 Members! Please email Info@WeareRECS.com or call 503-655-PLAY (7529) for more info.
INTERMEDIATE SKILLS SERIES
Tracie DeJager is a fixture in the local pickleball community. She was a three sport athlete in college and graduated from Portland State University with a double major in exercise science and community health. After traveling the globe, 2014 she discovered her new passion -- pickleball. DeJager is an IPTPA certified instructor and competes in tournaments in the 5.0+ pro division.
DeJager created and teaches the Intermediate Skills Series.
1) Dinking Strategy
How to manipulate opponents positioning with correct shot selection and movement. Wed., 4/20, 1-3 PM
2) Serves/Returns and Groundstrokes
Serving and returning as advantages, and how and when to effectively hit forehand and backhand drives with top spin. Wed., 4/27, 1-3 PM
3)Transition Zone
Focus on the transition from baseline to kitchen, with emphasis on becoming comfortable in the transition zone, using correct footwork, shot selection and strategy moving forward. Wed., 5/4, 1-3 PM
4) The Third Shot Drop
Mastering the third shot drop. Class will be two hours, with time at the end to play and focus on integrating newly learned skills. Wed., 5/11, 1-3 PM
5) Volleying & Resetting the Hard Shot
Focus on point construction to attacking and defending volleys from the kitchen line. Focus will be on roll, punch and block volleys and softening the hard shot to an un-attackable ball. Wed., 5/18, 1-3 PM
6) Lobbing and Overheads
Hitting and returning an offensive lob in the game and mastering the overhead smash. Wed., 5/25, 1-3 PM
7)Doubles Partner Game Analysis
Focus on partners or participants taking part in game play situations working on court
positioning and moving as a team. Wed., 6/1, 1-3 PM
8) Adding Offense
Focus on adding in offensive plays such as lobs, ernies, misdirections and ATP's. Wed., 6/8, 1-3 PM
Please Note: In addition to Tracie, you will soon be able to book lessons from a number of IPTPA and PPR certified instructors from the area.
What Else is New at RECS?
Open Play sessions, and More
We are looking at adding a variety of formats, such as Round Robins and Leagues. In the meantime, we offer a number of Open Play sessions that are now live on the Court Reserve calendar. Each one is geared towards a specific skill level. (If you don't know your skill level, we recommend using this IPTPA self-rating assessment). More important info about the sessions:
We cap each session close to the number of spots available on the courts, ensuring that if you register and attend, that you will get as much playing time as you want. In other words, there won't be much sitting around!
Each session is two hours, and you will be charged at the hourly rate determined by your membership level.
Paddles are available for rent, and for sale! We carry Head, TMPR, and now our own branded RECS paddles (see image below).
If you have a specific group of players that wants to create an Open Play session, please email us at Info@WeareRECS.com and provide more information about what you'd like to do (day, time, and skill level).
Please note: If you are interested in trading court time for being an organizer for a regular play session, please email info@WeareRECS.com and type "Interested Play Organizer" in the subject line, then please share with us your experience organizing and running similar sessions elsewhere. Please also share the days of the week and times for your availability. We do intend on expanding our opening and closing hours in the near future.
Check-in procedures
You may have noticed that we are now directing foot traffic through the front door of our Player's Lounge. This is for a couple reasons:
We are now checking everyone in at our front desk, so please don't breeze by, but let us greet you and make sure that you get checked in with one of our staff members. It is also possible that we had to switch your court (we won't do this unless we don't have a choice), and this will give us a chance to let you know.
We want to make sure you are all aware that we are now selling delicious food options from Nourishment PDX, such as breakfast burritos and sandwiches, wraps (chicken curry and veggie), salads (chicken caesar, green, and chef's), deviled eggs and a quinoa salad. Additionally we have beers on tap from Coin Toss, Oakshire, and Backwoods Brewing, as well as a number of canned wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Ball and Paddle Rentals
Pickleballs - Going forward, players will have a few options:
Borrow 3 durable Penn balls (no cost)
Rent 3 Franklin X40 balls ($5 per visit)
Buy Franklin X40 balls (available in sleeves of 3 for $12)
You are also welcome to bring your own pickleballs. We recommend that you mark them so you know which are yours.
We will provide balls for organized play sessions, such as Open Play, as well as group clinics.
Paddles -- We are now renting our RECS paddles (see image below) for $5 per visit. We also have a limited number available for purchase ($120).
REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP LEVEL!
On March 25th, all "soft launch" memberships expired. If you haven't yet, you'll need to choose a new membership option in order to sign up for anything at RECS.
Additionally, memberships can be purchased as monthly or annual plans. Annual plan subscribers pay in advance but receive the 12th month free.
Each membership level has distinct perks and terms, including a discount on the hourly rate for court reservations, "events" (like "Open Play," "Round Robins," etc.) and access to clinics.
Higgins Signs (all the beautiful signage and design work)
Coin Toss Brewing (great beers! located in Oregon City)
Roofing Rain or Shine (all the roofing and insulation repair)
Crafting a Strategy (consulting on hospitality solutions)
All of these partners have provided amazing support through our ramp-up and launch phase -- we encourage you to click their logos to learn more about them and how you can support their businesses!
As always, be safe and well. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Sincerely,
Kevin Richards
Founder & Co-Owner
RECS Partners LLC
