by Tracy Marcynzsyn
With more than 36 million pickleball players in the U.S., most everybody knows at least one person who has caught the pickleball bug.
“A cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball is a sport for all ages. Anyone from age 5 to 95 can play and have fun,” said Brandon Mackie, cofounder of Pickleheads.com, an online resource that provides useful information about the sport, including where to play.
In Ventura, the four courts at Juanamaria Park and the six at Harry A. Lyon Park are packed with pickleball players every day.
“Last Sunday, at DeAnza [Harry A. Lyon] Park, we had 20 people waiting on six courts, with four players per court!” said Leonard Andrews, of Ventura Pickleball Club and a local representative of the U.S. Pickleball Association. As part of a core group of volunteers who assist at the local pickleball courts, arriving early to set up the nets and pass out extra paddles, Andrews has watched the sport explode in popularity since he began playing 10 years ago.
“The biggest reason it’s so popular is that you can play at any level—you can be terribly out of shape and play a friendly game, or you can play at a serious level,” explained Andrews, noting that most of the players he sees at Ventura’s courts are over 60 years old.
“It’s a very wonderful, friendly group—not competitive—and it’s a great way to get to know other people,” he said, adding that newcomers are welcomed. “Everybody’s very friendly and helpful. We also have extra paddles, and we supply the balls, supplemented by the Parks and Rec Department—they’ve been very helpful in that regard.”
Ventura residents and visitors can also learn the basics of the fastest growing sport by registering for classes at the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation. Sessions cost $100 ($110 for nonresidents) for four classes and include all equipment.
“We currently offer six classes each week, and enrollment is 16 people per class—it’s always full!” says City of Ventura Recreation Coordinator Lauren Chumbley, who also enjoys playing pickleball.
Noting the popularity of the classes, Chumbley said the city plans to keep offering more varieties of classes, in addition to the current Level 1 and 2 classes for beginning and intermediate players.
“People can start at the beginning and work their way through,” said Chumbley, noting pickleball’s appeal for all levels.
“I think overall it’s great for all skill levels,” she said. “It’s easy to get into, and it also offers a challenge. It’s good for working on agility and balance and also helps with hand-eye coordination. It’s also a very social sport,” Chumbley noted. “One thing I’ve noticed in Ventura is the community-building that happens with pickleball. The average age is 50 to 75, retirement age, when people may be looking for an additional hobby.”
As pickleball’s popularity continues to grow, so does the demand for more locations to play.
“We desperately need more courts,” said Andrews.
Chumbley agrees. “That is the number one question I get. I think it’s something the City of Ventura is eager to jump on,” she said, pointing to talk of plans to build new courts at Ventura Community Park and Camino Real Park and hopes for grants and funding.
The Ventura Pickleball Club aims to promote and grow the sport, including keeping players informed about local pickleball news and events on their Facebook page: facebook.com/VenturaPickleBall/.
Chumbley advised residents to voice their support for additional courts in the city by making their voices heard.
“Go to city council meetings and keep showing up where it counts,” she said.
Dorene Cowart, a longtime Ventura resident, retired coach, and early advocate of pickleball, spoke at a recent City Council meeting. “A lot of people have pickleball fever, and more and more people are getting into it in Ventura. The city has one sport that needs more support: pickleball. For the health and well-being of the community, we need more facilities. Ventura could be the pickleball capital of the world due to its seaside location and great weather. Instead, players are going to other facilities outside the city to play on good courts. Beyond the health and well-being of the community, there are financial benefits to building good courts in Ventura.”
Ventura Pickleball Drop-in Schedule
JuanaMaria Park, Kimball Road and Loma Vista Road
4 courts
Thursday, 3 p.m. to dusk
Sunday, 2 p.m. to dusk
Harry A. Lyon Park, 150 De Anza Drive
6 courts
Tuesday and Thursday, 3 p.m. to dusk
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sunday, 2 p.m. to dusk
All other times, subject to first-come, first-served basis for pickleball and tennis
Pickleball Rules
Court and Equipment
- The Court: The game is played on a rectangular court measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a net set at 36 inches in the center.
- Paddles: Players use solid paddles, which can be made from wood, composite, or graphite. These paddles are smaller than tennis rackets but larger than ping-pong paddles.
- Ball: The ball is made of plastic and is similar to a wiffle ball.
Game Rules
- Starting Play: Pickleball is usually played in doubles, with two players on each team. The game begins with one player serving the ball diagonally across the net to the opponent.
- Serving: The serve is performed underhand from behind the baseline, and the ball must be struck below the waist. The server must aim diagonally, landing the ball within the opposite service box.
- Scoring: Points can be scored by either team, and games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21 points, with a requirement to win by two points.
- Faults: A fault occurs if the server fails to get the ball over the net, steps into the non-volley zone during a volley, or hits the ball out of bounds.
- Non-Volley Zone: Also known as the “kitchen,” this 7-foot area on each side of the net is off-limits for volleys. Players can only enter this zone to play a ball that has bounced but must move out before being able to hit again.
- Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. This rule helps to prevent aggressive play at the net immediately after the serve.
- Side Switching: Players switch sides at agreed upon scores (typically after one team reaches 6 points) to ensure no one has an advantage due to environmental factors like wind or sun.
- Let Serves: If the serve hits the net but still lands in the correct service court, it is a live ball. It cannot hit the kitchen line on the opposite side of the net.
- Out of Bounds: Any ball that lands outside the boundary lines is out. If the ball lands on a boundary line, it is in.
- Serving Rotation: In doubles, the serving team alternates sides after scoring a point, with the server switching positions with their partner.
Etiquette and Sportsmanship
- Fair Play: Good sportsmanship is essential. Players should always be respectful and avoid any unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Line Calls: Players are responsible for calling their own lines. If there is a dispute, it’s customary to replay the point.
Want to learn about Pickleball history, visit https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/history-of-the-game.
