Newbies exposed to 18 hours of pickleballing

BY Dawn Rankins

Fiesta Days was a great opportunity for anyone in the community to learn pickleball. On Saturday and Sunday there were 36 pickleball volunteers giving free lessons to over one 150 adults and children of all ages in this fast growing sport.

“We had a great turnout at Eastport over the weekend,” Canyon Lake Pickleball Club secretary Steve Libring said. “The community really seemed to enjoy the festivities at Eastport with the ferris wheel, water slide, petting zoo, a variety of food, drinks, bundt cakes and music.”

As a result of the free lessons, 50 adults taking new lessons for the very first time fell in love with the sport and immediately signed up to join the club, Steve said.

The club now has a membership of more than 400 people.

The pickleball courts are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day of the week for anyone who wants to play. The club is offering a three-year membership for $30.00 and is focused on social gatherings every month and occasional tournaments for all levels of skill from newbies to the most advanced players.

The next big event will be the Junior Clinic on June 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Children from ages 9 to 17 are invited to come and learn pickleball skills, participate in skill games, play the tournament at the end of the night and have a chance at winning prizes all along the way.

The entry fee is $5.00 and will be limited to the first 24 juniors who pre-pay and sign up in advance.

For more information about the Pickleball Club, come by the club’s booth at Holiday Harbor tomorrow between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to the Family Matters sponsored “Club Rush” event.

“Summer is coming,” Steve said. “This is a great family sport to enjoy on a beautiful outdoor summer evening in Canyon Lake.”