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New! Tournament in Kingston (March 16 - 19)
Pickleball Ontario is launching 6 regional tournaments throughout the province, with the first tournament, EAST REGION, taking place March 16-19 in Kingston Ontario at the Kingston Pickleball Club at 1150A Gardiners Road.
Registration is now open on Pickleball Brackets: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=0b9832b9-8b30-4c0d-9015-2307a84a8dc1
As this will be a Pickleball Canada sanctioned event, every registrant must have a current Pickleball Canada membership. Visit Pickleball Canada at: https://pickleballcanada.org/membership/membership-benefits/
Thursday March 16 - Men's and Women's Doubles 50+, 65+, Men's and Women's Senior Open Friday March 17 - Mixed Doubles 50+, 65+, Senior Open Saturday March 18 - Mixed Doubles 19+, 35+ Open Sunday March 19 - Men's and Women's Doubles 19+, 35+, Men's and Women's Open
NOTE 1: For initial registration one player from each doubles team must make their primary residence within the region. If space remains in the tournament registration will open to anyone else (no geographical restrictions) on February 12.
NOTE 2: Initially players will be limited to one gender doubles and one mixed doubles event (two total pickleball events) but if space remains available on the weekend we may open up registration to allow players to play a 2nd gender or mixed event as long as it is not on the same day.
New! Tournament in Smiths Falls (May 27 and 28)
Smiths Falls will be hosting the Michael Hicks Memorial Pickleball Tournament on Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28 at the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre (hockey arenas), with 13 pickleball courts in use in the two arenas available. This is an unsanctioned tournament, so you do not need to be a member of a pickleball association nor do you need to play with the Smiths Falls pickleball group.
Registration is now live on Pickleball Brackets at: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=45c8af5f-76e4-4468-81aa-77b594835e04
FREE! Arnprior "open house" pickleball clinic - Tuesday February 7 and Saturday February 11
The Kenwood Athletic Club (78 Edward Street South, Arnprior) is hosting two free "open house pickleball clinics next week:
Tuesday, February 7, from 6pm-8pm in the evening
Saturday, February 11, from 9am-12pm
Their three IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professionals Association) certified teaching pros will be on site to help you get started on your pickleball journey, or to help you improve your game.
Although it is a free open house (all are welcome), registration is limited given it is a pickleball clinic and to ensure there are not too many "pupils" for the three teaching pros.
If interested, please email the club to guarantee your free spot: kenwoodathletic@live.com
New Ottawa Pickleball Association clinics (for OPA members)
OPA members will have received an email on January 25 with details on upcoming pickleball clinics being offered by OPA pro Ravi Prakash. On the below weblink, these are called "Series 3" (Getting to to the next level). The ones that do not say "Series 3" (the ones that say Drills) are not clinics with pro Ravi. Ravi has taken lessons from professional players such as Adam Stone and Corrine Carr and is an IPTPA Level II Certified Coach. You can read more about Ravi under Private Coaching on the OPA-APO website.
Week 1 – The focus will be improving serve percentage and hitting with both the forehand and backhand to improve your consistency
Week 2 - Focusing on good contact with the ball and handling moderate paced shots
Week 3 - Learning about the drop shot and moving up to the kitchen, and a general overview of dinking
Week 4 – Play and Assessment
Blue level
Week 1 – The focus will be on dinking with consistency and placement, and good positioning with your partner
Week 2 - Improving depth and consistency for serves and returns in the back half of the court , and making the drop shot more consistent
Week 3 - Improving volleys and learning how to manage pace, including blocks to initiate
dinking
Week 4 – Play and Assessment
Green level
Week 1 – The Focus will be on more precise positioning at the kitchen, learning better placement with the dinking and good shot selection
Week 2 - Improving the percentage and control of your drop shots, resets, volleys and blocks
Week 3 – To get ready for the Assessment, week 3 will be about Game analysis - Gameplay with feedback. This includes feedback on learning how to anticipate the opponent's shots, how to set up points, and reducing your low percentage shots
Week 4 – Play and Assessment
Yellow level
Week 1 – The Focus will be on choosing when to drop vs drive, and when to use an offensive vs defensive dink.
Week 2 - Go over tips to make fast exchanges easier and learn how to change the game from fast to slow and vice versa
Week 3 - Learn about more advanced movement on court with your partner and setting up your partner for the winner.
Week 4 – Play and Assessment
SUMMER 2023 PREVIEW
Given how many new subscribers there are since last summer, here is a sneak peak at some of the best locations for playing pickleball this upcoming outdoor season. Many outdoor "clubs" are at or near capacity, so it may be difficult or impossible to join some of these clubs. As I get more information as the outdoor season approaches, I will include those updates:
Valleystream Pickleball Club (Richmond Road)
A limited number of new memberships may be available, once the Valleystream Board sees how many 2022 members renew their membership for another year. Those limited memberships are likely to become available for a short period of time on or around April 15, 2023. https://www.vstpickleball.com/
Orleans Tennis Club It looks like the Orleans Tennis Club is at its pickleball capacity. A limited number of folks from the 2022 waiting list may get lucky once the Orleans Board sees how many 2022 members renew their membership for 2023 by the February 28 deadline. https://www.orleanstennisclub.ca/
Amberwood Village Golf Club (Stittsville)
You can register for the waiting list for a 2023 adult pickleball membership, family pickleball membership, and junior pickleball membership at the below weblink, but I believe they are pretty much sold out and I would not expect many (if any) from the waiting list to be offered a membership. You can try though.
However, you can still purchase a SPLASH AND PADDLE membership, which gives you access to pickleball and the swimming pool, or packages that also include golf.
Manotick Racquets Club (Manotick Tennis Club)
I know they sold out in 2022, so we'll see later this spring if they have capacity for any additional members https://www.manoticktennisclub.com/
Britannia Yacht Club (2777 Cassels) They have dedicated pickleball-only courts, as well as hybrid pickleball/tennis courts. I understand they are likely to have two additional pickleball only courts added in early 2023 (making a total of 4 pickleball courts without tennis paint/tennis lines), in addition to the hybrid tennis/pickleball courts. www.byc.ca
https://byc.ca/pickleball/
Trend Arlington Tennis and Pickleball (Greenbank Avenue)
I hear they sold out memberships in 2022, so we'll see if they have capacity to accept new members as the season approaches https://tatennis.ca/
Elmridge Park Tennis Club (near Montreal Road and Ogilvie Road) https://elmridgetennis.ca/
Carp / Huntley Community Association
Pickleball courts on the outdoor hockey rink; they did sell out their memberships in 2022, but I understand their attendance dropped off as the season progressed, so perhaps they will sell more memberships in 2023 than they did in 2022. https://hca-carp.ca/sports-programs/pickleball-in-carp/
Constance Bay Pickleball (262 Len Purcell in Woodlawn/Constance Bay)
This lively bunch plays a few times per week in the outdoor season, and hosted a costumed "Game of Thrones" pickleball tournament in 2022. What will they do to top that in 2023?! https://cbbca.ca/cms/event/pickleball/
OTHER OPTIONS TO PLAY IN SUMMER 2023
RA Centre (2451 Riverside Drive): will have indoor pickleball court rentals for much of the summer
Reminder: Free Public Outdoor Pickleball Courts
The City of Ottawa is adding pickleball lines to more tennis courts each year.
The City of Ottawa also maintains a map and list of tennis/pickleball courts:https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/sports-fields-and-outdoor-recreation#tennis-and-pickleball-courts
Some of the best quality free public pickleball courts (the best surfaces/best infrastructure, or popular locations) are:
WEST: Stittsville 560 Parade Drive (dedicated pickleball only courts), Stittsville Neil Avenue @Main/Hazledean (1 dedicated pickleball only court), Kanata Rouncy Park; Pinecrest Recreation Complex off Baseline Road
SOUTH: Trappers Park near Albion/Bank, Aladdin Park on Albion, Windsor Park Gloucestor on Wyman Place, Barrhaven Guinness Park, Owl Park
CENTRAL: Bordeleau Park off King Edward, Windsor Park on Windsor (Old Ottawa East), and newly refurbished courts in Vanier's Riverrain Park
EAST: Orleans Sweetvalley Park (brand new dedicated pickleball only courts), Playfair Park in Alta Vista, Chapel Hill Park on Forest Valley, Navan Centennial Park behind the Navan Curling Club, Manor Park School/Manor Park Community Council on Hemlock just west of St Laurent, Marsha Park on Jeanne d'Arc North, Coyote Trail Park on Trim (where Trim has a 90 degree turn)
Also, interesting new 4 pickleball courts at the Vista Park hockey rink (Avalon Community Association initiative); they are not the smoothest surface, but its pickleball only (no tennis)
Reminder: Some pickleball coaching options in the Ottawa area
Given how difficult it is for many residents to find a place to play pickleball (most community centres and the RA sell out within seconds), perhaps that idle time could be used for some pickleball coaching!
Here are just some of the local options; I know I am forgetting people, while some have asked me not to include them in newsletter as they are not looking for students at this time. You can also check the NCCP, IPTPA, and PPR list of certified coaches at the bottom of this section for additional certified coaches in the area who I may be forgetting.
Ottawa Pickleball Association (OPA)
OPA members have access to pro-led clinics, as well as individual lessons through the OPA pros. Members can log into their OPA account to see options, and receive periodic emails with updates on who is offering clinics/lessons.
RA Centre
Offers group clinics, and individual lessons with their five pickleball pros (Bill Simon, Don Cogan, Cody Barbeau, Joane Van Burgen, Kim Brent). Click on their name on the RA website to see their bio and their contact information. https://www.racentre.com/pickleball.html
Kim Brent
Kim also has a private pickleball location (external to the RA Centre) that she uses to give pickleball lessons. strategicpickleball@gmail.com
Kenwood Athletic Club Per above, Kenwood now has three IPTPA Level 1 pickleball instructors. Reach out to them for information on how you can access these individuals for pickleball coaching: kenwoodathletic@live.com
Paul Morrison
Paul teaches wherever he can rent gyms (e.g. recreation centres), and has taught many times through the Ottawa Pickleball Association "learn to play" and "skills and drills" leagues, with several years as a squash and badminton coach. Paul took the IPTPA level 1 course in the past. pmorrisonis@gmail.com
Ravi Prakash Palaniswamy
He coaches with the Ottawa Pickleball Association and Valleystream Pickleball Club. He has his Level 2 IPTPA coaching credentials. He is open to teaching at other locations where a court can be rented. ravipickleball@gmail.com
Samir Bhatnagar
You may have seen Samir on the courts at Amberwood, Valleystream, or Britannia Yacht Club, including doing some teaching at Amberwood for much of this past season; he has his teaching certification through the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR). m2b2@rogers.com
Michael Gauthier
Michael has his level 2 certification with the IPTPA, his certification with the (Canadian) National Coaching Certification Program, and his IPTPA ratings specialist certification (i.e. he can assess and confirm your skill level according to the IPTPA skill criteria). Michael was coaching at Manotick Tennis Club and Valleystream this past summer. He is now recovered from his knee surgery and is likely teaching again. michael@pickleballstrokes.ca
Sara Weiss
Sara runs the "Heck Yeah Pickleball Ottawa" leagues out of the Kenwood Athletic Club in Arnprior, which are a mix of instruction and game play. Reach out to Sara if you have questions about how to access her pickleball guidance:. teamprolite@prolitesports.com
Kelli McRobert (Godfrey/Frontenac Counties)
Kelli offers pickleball coaching in Godfrey/Frontenac counties, and has pickleball teaching credentials through the (Canada) National Coaching Certification Program, and Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR).kattgrrrl@gmail.com
PICKLEBALL COACHING CERTIFYING BODIES
There are 3 of the main pickleball coaching certifying bodies; each website has a list of currently certified coaches. There are others in the city who have completed these programs but won't be listed on the website (e.g. the IPTPA requires an annual membership fee to continue to be listed on their website; so someone could have successfully completed the IPTPA coaching certification, but opted not to pay the annual fee to maintain it). Also, note, just because someone is a certified coach doesn't mean they are actively looking for students to teach.
Canada - National Coaching Certification Program https://www.pbcoachingadmin.ca/TestPBCoaching/Pub/TPACertifiedCoaches.aspx?enc=Y+QYWxiKa+Oi7EA0VW6sqPWUgoYuJ0CXu67LeY1q+on26Q5bOZHq+avw6rW6QJkU
IPTPA https://iptpa.com/certified-members/
Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) https://pprpickleball.org/find-a-pro/
Update: New sports dome in Orleans
Construction has started on the new multi-sports dome at Garneau High School in Orleans, at the corner of Orleans Boulevard and rue Carriere. It is expected to open in fall 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.
I have confirmation that there will be two tennis courts within the dome, and there will be pickleball - but it is not clear whether there will be 2 pickleball courts (i.e. one per tennis court), or more than two pickleball courts.
The dome will not be open for many months, so when information becomes available on how the public can access the tennis/pickleball courts, I will include that information.
Press conference from December 2022: https://fb.watch/iaE5iB0cKX/?mibextid=v7YzmG
Reminder: Places to play pickleball in or within driving distance of Ottawa/Gatineau
Here are some key places to play indoor pickleball in the region (I may be forgetting some)
City of Ottawa centres offering pickleball drop in and/or multi-week pickleball programs
- Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre (Orleans, Portobello at Brian Coburn)
- Hintonburg Community Centre on Wellington West
- Nepean Sportsplex on Woodroffe/Hunt Club
- Richcraft Recreation Complex on Innovation Drive in Kanata
- Eva James Memorial Community Centre on Stonehaven in Kanata
- Greenboro Community Centre on Lorry Greenberg (near South Keys)
- Minto Recreation Complex at Cambrian/Greenbank in Barrhaven
- CardelREC Recreation Complex on Shea Road in Stittsville
- Overbrook Community Centre on Quill Street off the Vanier Parkway
- Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre, Paul Anka Drive near South Keys
- Rideauview Community Centre on Shoreline Drive, Riverside South - Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre (new) - since this one is brand new, it may be easier to book a spot to play here than other City of Ottawa facilities
PICKLEBALL SCHEULES AT CITY OF OTTAWA FACILITIES: 2 OPTIONS
1. You have to check with the specific facility to confirm their pickleball schedule, as the City does not provide one master list of all pickleball drop in options. Find the facility at the below website to verify their pickleball schedule: https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-facilities
2. Given how difficult it is to see your pickleball drop in options at city facilities, local player Ted developed a website to make it easier to see the various City of Ottawa pickleball drop in options. He keeps improving it to try to capture every option, but it is possible it does not list every single option: https://zero-zero-today.vercel.app/
RA CENTRE (2451 Riverside Drive) https://www.racentre.com/pickleball.html
OTTAWA PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION (for current members; new memberships not available at this time) OPA members: in addition to leagues you are a regular weekly player for, remember two other great options:
1. You can register as a spare for leagues at your colour level. When registering, switch "regular" to "spare" on the drop down list. https://ottawapickleballassociation.com/league/shop/
2. Single pickleball courts are available to rent by OPA members for use by OPA members. Look for SINGLE COURT USAGE at: https://ottawapickleballassociation.com/product-category/scu/
https://ottawapickleballassociation.com/
KENWOOD ATHLETIC CLUB (Arnprior) https://www.kenwoodathletic.com/
RUSSELL SPORTS DOME https://www.russell.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/sports-dome-and-membership.aspx#Multisport-Court
STINGERS / BROCKVILLE RACQUET CLUB (125 Stewart Street, Brockville) https://www.stingersindoorpaintball.com/
https://www.facebook.com/StingersIndoorPaintball/
KINGSTON PICKLEBALL CLUB (1150A Gardiners Road, Kingston) https://kingstonpickleballclub.com/
Reminder: East End Seniors Centre - pickleball
A local player advised me that the seniors centre at 4355 Halmont Drive off Ogilvie Road has pickleball Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Players need to be members of the centre ($35 per year). Fee per drop in is only $1, payable on arrival. Hint: they also serve hot lunches after.
My assumption is that this venue is geared to beginner/social players whose primary purpose is to meet/socialize with other seniors.
Markham Ontario - March 3 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=906613f2-6ddf-4b42-9eb0-c64d1edda0c2
Magog Quebec - March 4 and 5 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=9f3b808f-66a8-4ff5-a7d4-d80083fee5c9
NEW! Kingston - Pickleball Ontario - Eastern Regional Tournament - Kingston - March 17 to 19, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=0b9832b9-8b30-4c0d-9015-2307a84a8dc1
Collingwood - Team Selkirk Team Challenge - March 24 to 26, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=e74a0c6e-5670-42d9-8009-04d14054dbef
US OPEN (Naples Florida) - April 15 to 22, 2023 https://www.usopenpickleballchampionship.com/
Gatineau Quebec - April 29 and 30, 2023 Organized by the Association régionale de pickleball de l'Outaouais (ARPO and being held at the Centre sportif de gatineau.
NEW! Smiths Falls - May 27 and 28, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=45c8af5f-76e4-4468-81aa-77b594835e04
London Ontario - May 26 to 28, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=4fdef328-f022-44b6-b1d1-1c8e421f03e1
Niagara on the Lake - June 10 and 11, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=b014b92c-9e03-4980-81b1-42760391d602
NEW! Cortland NY (near Syracuse) - June 14 - 16, 2023
Empire State Senior Games Pickleball Tournament
I am not sure if you must be a resident of NY/US to register. https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=20d0d14f-d774-4b9f-911f-93f3a643cb5f
NEW! Rochester NY and Syracuse NY - June 21, 2023 (to be confirmed)
It looks like there will be a "triple crown" tournament in both Syracuse NY and Rochester NY on June 21, 2023, which is a Wednesday. Stay tuned, there might be an error where I saw these two tournament placeholders. https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=25ca364d-f6ac-43b0-86f8-8b3a3d6db5fa
https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=9542cbbb-fdcf-40ab-a005-d55e76da5677
NEW! Exeter New Hampshire
USAPA sanctioned tournament, New Hampshire Big Brothers and Sisters. https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=8273f047-3ac9-453c-89bd-6253e2205475
NEW! Taylored Pickleball Academy Events Dresden ON: July 21-23, 2023 (registration not yet open)
Midland ON: August 11-13, 2023 (registration open) https://www.tayloredpickleballacademy.ca/tournaments?mc_cid=b771f21c39&mc_eid=e392bafe98
Regina Saskatchewan - Pickleball Canada National Championships - August 23-27, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=ca63b0be-ac12-4b68-b4b9-689f1abfb4cd
FACEBOOK GROUP FOR LOCAL TOURNAMENTS Join the below Facebook group to help keep track of local tournaments: PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS QUEBEC/ONTARIO
If you are a facebook user, you may also want to join the below group: OTTAWA/GATINEAU PICKLEBALL PLAYERS
Want to spend your holiday cash on pickleball stuff?
In my experience, employees at local sports shops don't know anything about pickleball or the pickleball products they sell, and the stores have very limited selection of paddles (and often they are on the lower price range/lower quality side of things). We have a few local reps of major pickleball companies close to Ottawa Ottawa who can give advice on their pickleball products; many of these individuals have demo paddles that you can actually try out before making a purchase.
SELKIRK:
Cody (has demos, and sells directly from his paddle inventory) at: codybarbeau@gmail.com
Kim (has demos; promo code ADV-KBRENT used at selkirk.com will get you 20% back in gift cards) at:strategicpickleball@gmail.com
Kelli (has demos, Frontenac/Godfrey counties; promo code for selkirk.com, code ADV-KMCROBERT, 20% back in gift cards):kattgrrrl@gmail.com
OLIVER SPORT:
Carlos at:carlos@oliver-sport.ca
https://www.oliver-sport.ca/
ENGAGE:
Matt: m.kawamoto@live.ca
Matt has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
GEARBOX
Bill: billfranksimon@gmail.com (ask him about discount codes)
VULCAN:
Ravi at: ravipickleball@gmail.com
MANTA/HUDEF pickleball and ACACIA shoes
Luc at: luc@corepickleball.com
Website: https://corepickleball.square.site/
TMPR:
Michael at: michael@pickleballstrokes.ca Website: https://pickleballstrokes.ca/shop/
Michael has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
PROLITE:
Sara at: teamprolite@prolitesports.com https://pickleball.atomconnects.com/
Sara has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
YONEX Yonex (very well known in badminton community) will be introducing pickleball paddles in Canada in early 2023; these will be available through Capital Sport at the RA Centre. tedhthompson@rogers.com
ONIX:
Ted at: tedhthompson@rogers.com
ROKNE Chad Valcour out of Brockville has ROKNE pickleball paddle demos if you want to try one, and the discount code CHADV10 will save you a few dollars. https://roknepickleball.com/?sca_ref=2744552.uNSIaB1EAM
CRBN
Discount code ETIENNE will get you 10% off CRBN product at: crbnpickleball.com
