Courts All Full of Players Thursday NIght

Pickleball explosion in Abbotsford! There were about 40 pickleball players came to play on Thursday night, four courts were full and people waiting to play so four more courts were open. They were mostly younger players (young adults, family with kids), full of energy, eager to learn and having lots of fun. I played with Jacob, about 12 years old, he played very well. I also had fun playing with three younger players, two were learning but they can hit hard and they were laughing hard when they scored a point that they really enjoyed the game. They were happy to get the free Olympic flags. Mike and I were happy playing and giving out flags. Scientific proof that 'Happiness Is Contagious' is true and happiness can improve your health.

Last Sunday night all eight courts were also full of players. Since the introduction of the new Thur. and Sunday pickleball evening times, there have been about two hundred new players came to learn pickleball and enjoying it.

Thursday Night Younger Pickleball Players

Mike had a lot of fun playing wtih Nomi, Nathan, Matt and another Mike, smashing the ball hard at each other! Power play!

Free 2010 Olympic 'Go Canada' Flags

I will be giving out more free 2010 Olympic 'Go Canada' flags, courtesy of Murray GM from Dave, at pickleball snack time at about 4pm Tues. and Thur. See you there!

Play with the ultimate pickleball paddle

As I had advertised before I have brought in a whole whack load of factory second S-Type pickleball paddles for sale. As most of you that have been demoing them have found out...these paddles are amazingly responsive, light, inexpensive and make you a force to be reckoned with on the pickleball court. They also conform with USAPA paddle rules. I have them for sale in Abbotsford, but have also been selling them elsewhere as far away as Kansas. See the full post on these paddles for more information.

Play with the ultimate pickleball paddles...Play with an S-Type!

Double bounce rule!!!

Double bounce rule!

So let's go over this again for all the regulars that sometimes forget, and all the new people that need to know this important rule!

Double Bounce Rule
Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. That is, the first receiving team must let the served ball bounce, and the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before playing it. After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can be either volleyed or played off the bounce.

The natural tendency for all of us is to hit the little perforated ball that is hurtling towards us from the opposing team, we need to remember that it must bounce first on both sides.

Just 1 of those special rules that makes pickleball unique:)

Pickleball Etiquette

Pickleball Etiquette

! To get onto your court, go around another court, or go under the net, not over top, as it
pushes the net down and disrupts adjoining games already in play.
! Never walk behind a court, or enter one, while a rally is in progress
! When a point is over, return the ball to your opponent, not merely in his/her general
direction
! If the opponent claims there was a major distraction while hitting a shot (such as a ball
bouncing onto the court), don't hesitate to replay the point.
! Verbal outbursts are ‑distracting to your opponent and to players on other courts.
! Throwing equipment in anger is unsportsmanlike and dangerous. Control your temper on
the court at all times.
! Give your opponent time to get into position to return the ball before you serve.
! It is the server's responsibility to clearly announce the score before serving each point.
! Don't Purposely break the ball.
! Don't Purposely throw the paddle.
! Know the rules of the game and observe them.
! More experienced Pickleball players should take time to play with beginner players to help
encourage them and offer teaching if needed.

Pickleball is a great social game, but following these simple etiquettes will make it more enjoyable for everyone.

PICKLEBRRRRR Florida

Florida pickle ball players were braving the cold at 45 degree F. on Jan 10, 2010. Florida has been experiencing record lows. Players dressed in winter jackets to play despite the weather. One family came out to cheer on the group and brought hot chocolate to keep everyone warm. Read more: http://south.usapa.org/ Nighttime temperature plunged into the 20's, electric blanket cranked to HIGH! Everyone was dressed for the weather, sweatshirts, hats, gloves and even blankets. They used campfires to warm up the pickleball players! http://pickleballontario.blogspot.com/ said "my camera froze, I decided to take a break from playing and not take the risk pulling a muscle or tendon in the cold. So if you are stuck in the frigid North, don't feel all that bad after reading this. In fact, I belief playing indoor pickleball is much more fun despite the fact I am an outdoors person."

So we are lucky to play pickleball indoor, nice and warm!!!

Another new Pickleball time@ ARC!!!!!!!!

New Pickleball time Sundays 5:30-7:30 pm @ Abbotsford Recreation Center.

That's right due to the growing popularity of Pickleball in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley, another Pickleball time has been added. We will have access to both gyms (8 pickleball courts) What a great time to bring friends, neighbors, and family as this will be an age 11+ time slot.

Watch 2010 be the year that Pickleball explodes in Abbotsford!

Pickleball serving rules

Serving Rules:
* The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made at or below waist level.
* The server must keep both feet behind the baseline during the serve with at least one foot on the court surface or ground at the time the ball is struck.
* The serve must be made without bouncing the ball off the court before hitting it.
* The serve must be made to the crosscourt (diagonally opposite court) service court.
* The service must clear the net and the non-volley line and land into the opponent’s service court. Serves may land on any service court line, except the non-volley zone lines.
* Double Bounce Rule: The serve and the service return MUST be allowed to bounce before striking the ball. After allowing these two bounces, volleys are allowed.

Singles (two players):
* At the start of each game the server begins the serve on the right side and alternates from right to left to right, etc., as long as the server holds serve.
* The server must serve to the court diagonally opposite of him/her.

Doubles (four players):
* The service always starts in the right-hand court and alternates from right to left to right, etc., as long as server holds serve.
* The server must serve to the court diagonally opposite of him/her.
* The team serving the initial serve of each game is allowed only one fault before passing service to the opposing team. After that, each team member must serve and fault before passing service to the opposing team.
* The serving team will rotate positions after scoring a point. After the first server faults, the second serve is performed from whatever side the second server is playing. The service will continue to rotate positions as long as the server continues to win points.

Pickleball paddles for sale @ Discount prices

They're here!!! The 2nd wave of Brand-new factory 2nd's paddles from S-Type sports. 60 paddles of different models and colours! E-mail for pictures or demo them at one of our pickleball times. They are brand new, but are factory 2nd's: which means they may have a colour flaw, or minor scratch/dent that in NO WAY affects play. These paddles are used by some of the top players in the sport of pickleball, and are a great investment for your futurein pickleball. Because they are factory 2nds, I am able to offer them at discount canadian $pricing$ . This is an extra income iniative by me to help offset costs of my growing family, but also to further the sport of pickleball in Abbotsford, throughout B.C., and anywhere else in the world that is wanting a great deal on an even greater pickleball paddle.

The models and $ is:

Composite Slammer $40 cdn

Composite Stryker $45 cdn

Composite Extreme $45 cdn

Graphite Slammer $50 cdn

Graphite Stryker $50 cdn

Graphite Stinger $60 cdn

What is the difference between the Stryker and the Slammer?
The Stryker paddle is our oversized paddle and it has a slightly larger
hitting surface than the Slammer. Both paddles have great power and
control. The Slammer is popular with those Pickleball players that like a
longer handle than the handle of the Stryker. Both paddles are used by
many of the best players in the game.

What is the difference between the Graphite and Composite?
The Graphite paddles are lighter in weight. They range from 6.5 ounces
to 7.0 ounces. The Composite range from 7.0 ounces to 8.0 ounces.
Many players that enjoy a durable lightweight paddle choose the
Graphite paddles. Some feel that the lighter the weight the more control.
Also, it reduces strain on joints and muscles since players would not
have to over exert themselves while hitting the ball.

Does the size of the paddle really matter?
In reality, most Pickleball players know that whether you are using a
Slammer or a Stryker it really does not matter. Players make contact
with the ball in the center of the paddle know as the “sweet spot.” There
are other paddle makers that have larger sizes by an inch or less. This is
just wasted space and adds more bulk to the paddles. The Slammer and
Stryker are designed to use the most control and power in the “sweet
spot.”

Buy yours today! Talk to Grant for more info! uthdudegrant@hotmail.com

Pickleball Humour

How's that for a death-defying pickleball match?

Who's up for some light-hearted pickleball jokes :)


Q? Where is the first pickleball match mentioned in the Bible?


A! When Joseph served in Pharoah's court (Genesis 37-45)





Q? How many pickleball players does it take to screw in a light bulb?


A! What do you mean the bulb was out? It wasn't out, it was in!





To err is human. To put the blame on someone else is doubles.





A badminton player, a squash player and a pickleball player decided to stay at a country inn, but when they arrived there, the innkeeper told them he only had 2 beds free, one of them would have to sleep in the barn.
“That’s OK”, said the badminton player, “I`ll sleep in the barn.” So off he went.
A few moments later there was a knock at the inn door. The innkeeper opened the door to see the badminton player who explained that he was unable to sleep in the barn as there was a pig in there, and he could not sleep with a pig.
“That’s OK,” said the squash player. “I’ll sleep there.”
So, off he went. A few moments later there was a knock at the inn door. The innkeeper opened the door to see the squash player there, who explained that he was unable to sleep in the barn as there was a cow in there, and he could not sleep with a cow.
“That’s OK,” said the pickleball player, “I`ll sleep there.” So, off he went. A few moments later there was a knock at the inn door. The innkeeper opened the door to see a cow and a pig standing there.

Anybody have any jokes or humour to add?

Pickleball Canada New Year's newsletter

Jan 6, 2010 Abby Pickleball is featured in the New Year's Newsletter of Pickleball Canada - information of our Abbotsford Pickleball group, date of formation, location, number of courts, people, tournament etc. http://www.pickleballcanada.org/

Abbotsford, BC is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, 45 minutes by freeway east of Vancouver.

Pickleball started in 2007 at Agr-Rec building in Abbotsford, then moved to ARC in 2008 with eight pickleball courts...Abbypickleball blog started by Ken Witt in March 2009. Grant Brittain is the host at ARC. Shirley Shepherd posts pictures and videos of players in action!! The blog has become an extremely useful and informative way to attract new players and to communicate with our group...We have a social snack time every Tuesday after pickleball...We will add more pickleball time during the week and in evenings. Grant plans to give pickleball lessons in ARC and local schools. He is planning an annual Abbotsford pickleball tournament in 2010. A new drop-in program has started in UFV...

Our group includes Jane Squires and Carol Haworth who captured Gold medals in the Fraser Valley Zone 2009. Other excellent players include Allen Turner and Herb Peters. Rod Koch, ambassador of Abbotsford won Gold and Silver medals in Idaho Senior Games in August, 2009. An exhibition pickleball game to be played by our group during "Live Site" Olympic time will spread Abby PB excitement/fever to the world.