Pickleball players take to the Canyon Lake courts the day after the big tropical storm blew through Canyon Lake. The courts have become extremely popular as the sport continues to grow. Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon.
Pickleball Club grows as sport explodes
The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club is making waves with its dynamic lineup of events and community initiatives. From junior clinics to moonlit cruises, the club has been keeping its members active, engaged, and entertained.
The season kicked off with a splash as the club sponsored a Junior Clinic in June, drawing in scores of teenagers and pre-teens eager to learn the ins and outs of pickleball. The attendees not only gained skills on the court, but also had the chance to win a range of prizes, generously donated by local businesses and residents. Gift cards, sweets, and even brand-new pickleball paddles were among the haul for the young participants.
Under the canopy of the majestic Canyon Lake sky, the club has been organizing monthly social nights on the third Thursday of every month. These gatherings offer an opportunity for members to showcase their culinary talents in a potluck-style event, while indulging in the camaraderie of friends and, of course, some heated pickleball matches.
“Twelve of these delicious potlucks alone is worth the annual $10 a year membership dues,” Steve Libring, the club membership director, said.
For the competitive spirits among the members, the club hosted a free mixed doubles tournament in June and is gearing up for the upcoming “Hot August Nights” tournament. Set against the stunning backdrop of the lake and the mesmerizing sunset, this evening event promises not only thrilling pickleball matches, but also gift cards to the Canyon Lake POA Lodge or Country Club for the highest-scoring players.
However, the Pickleball Club isn’t just about sports and leisure—it’s also about community outreach. The club has been actively contributing to various causes, from aiding victims of fire to supporting the local 911 memorial at the fire station. Their impact extends to the practical as well, as they’ve supplied dozens of new chairs to sit in the shade of the courts and constructed a practice wall through a joint project with Zack Zander doing all the labor as part of earning his Eagle Scouts Badge. The club also actively participated as a sponsor at Eastport Park for the activities which happened at Park Hopper Day. This was the largest outreach for the year as 18 club members gave free instructional pickleball lessons to over 50 Canyon Lake adults and children. The club enjoys giving back to the community and socializing.
“Last Thursday we had a general membership meeting and over 60 people came to the social afterwards to enjoy pizza, potluck, pies, pastries and, of course, pickleball,” Steve said.
The club’s officers are preparing for re-election soon.
“With over 500 members, there’s a lot of talent to choose from,” Steve said. “The support of these members, POA staff, the POA Board and the overall community has shown the club has been extraordinary these last seven and a half years. We are truly blessed.”
Workers pour concrete on the two new pickleball courts at Eastport Park. The two new courts, at a cost of approximately $350,000, will be completed in the fall and adjoin four existing courts, which will be resurfaced as part of the project. The sport continues to gain popularity and the two new courts will help with the overcrowding at the existing courts. Photo provided by Canyon Lake Property Owners Association.
Looking ahead, the Pickleball Club has exciting plans in the pipeline. Collaborating with the Yacht Club, they’re organizing two more moonlight cruises on the lake during full moon evenings—a perfect blend of food, camaraderie, and refreshing swims. Additionally, an annual swim and BBQ event at Treasure Island is set to happen in two weeks, creating more cherished memories for members.
On the court expansion front, the club has reason to celebrate as the construction continues of two new courts at Eastport.
“It looks like they are ahead of schedule and courts may be done by the end of September,” Greg Doherty, the POA Vice President said. “The existing four courts will also be resurfaced at the same time and those four courts will be closed for approximately four to five days to allow for that new surface to take hold.”
The allure of the new courts is not just in their functionality but also in the awe-inspiring view they offer of the lake. The Canyon Lake POA is considering the addition of bike racks to the ever-popular E-Bikes that many of the members use to ride to the courts.
“These additional courts and the bike racks will be a welcome addition to the community,” Steve said. “The growth of the club in the last year to over 500 adult Canyon Lake community members prompted the need to expand and the POA Board responded quickly to address the overcrowding. And the view of the lake as a backdrop from the two new courts is spectacular, unmatched by any other pickleball courts in all of Southern California.”
According to Pickleheads, Pickleball has emerged as a remarkable phenomenon, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Recent statistics unveil a staggering participation surge, revealing that a sweeping wave of enthusiasm has swept across the nation.
“Pickleball’s popularity exploded during the pandemic, when many Americans were looking for responsible ways to socialize and stay active,” Brandon Mackie, co-founder of Pickleheads, said. “But that was only the beginning. Pickleball’s growth has continued even as lockdowns have ended and normal life has resumed.”
An impressive 36.5 million adept individuals have embraced this unique blend of athleticism, cementing pickleball’s status as one of the most extensively-participated sports in the American landscape. Pickleheads court data provider states there are 10,320 pickleball facilities nationally.
Open to all Canyon Lake residents, the Pickleball Club invites anyone interested in the sport to join their ranks.
“Pickleball is a sport for all ages,” Brandon said. “Anyone from age 5 to 95 can play and have fun. This makes pickleball the perfect activity for families, especially around the holidays.”
Whether it’s introductory lessons, membership inquiries, or simply wanting to know more about pickleball, Steve can be reached at steve.libring@gmail.com.