Thursday, June 25, 2015

Welcome, Summer and Welcome, New players!

Thanks to all who attended the great clinic Saturday, June 13 with 25 participants and Brenda Blackham's awesome leadership. She covered the 1,2,3 shot strategy and we learned just one more aspect of this great game of pickleball.



Here's what Brenda said about the clinic:

I really enjoyed the morning and appreciated how attentive and receptive everyone was. Your group is to be commended not only for the vast improvement they have shown, but for the beautiful sportsmanship they display every day.
 
And from the group: The clinic was perfect! weather, topics covered, and best of all, your instruction! So glad you could do this for the club and help us all become better players!
 
So.....

Yay! Another great clinic coming in July. Save the date and sign up soon for July 9th, 10 to noon clinic led by experienced players in Utah, Arizona, and the RV circuit. Jim and Alison Pelletier will conduct a skills clinic for those hoping to improve their games and learn some of the finer points of pickleball. Come for the clinic, come back for the appetizer potluck from 5 to 8 pm. Both events held at Valais courts and pavilion. To participate in the clinic, you must be a member of HVPC. Everyone, including non-members can certainly watch and all are welcome at the social. Bring an appetizer to share, your beverage of choice, and your lawn chairs. RSVP to Leslie, 2lolo@earthlink.net or 435-671-1405.

Early bird play

Summertime is here and the heat is cranked up, so many players have decided to start outdoors at 8 am. Tennis players still have the courts Mondays and Fridays, so we'll start at 9:30 those days. If you can find others who are real early birds, go for it even earlier. If you are interested in evening play, let me know and we can get a group together.

An update from our Vice-President, Cary Hobbs

In the past weeks, several regular players at the Wasatch Rec Center have asked the HVPC Board to consider scheduling pickleball games outside the "Open Play" times already scheduled by the Club. Some players have formed their own groups to play earlier than the regular 9 am start time. Many are interested in pursuing a more competitive level, somewhat based on the USAPA and International Association rating system. See the online description of the skill levels from 2 to 5 in ,5 increments. (www.ipickleball.org/ifg-rating-descriptions/ )

At the Board meeting June 15th, most of us felt that, in addition to growing the game, the primary goal/benefit of the HVPC is the social interaction we enjoy with each other. We also believe that playing regularly with other players who are more skilled tends to raise the level of play for everyone, another goal of our group. Many people have made many new friendships as a result of our "open play" format.

Although we don't promote league-type competition within the group, we realize that some people enjoy a game with others based on skill level or on other factors such as friendships, gender, couples, etc. Arranging groups of players and games other than the Club's open-type competition at scheduled times only expands the game of pickleball. And although the Club won't actually be scheduling those groups, we enthusiastically support any type of play that grows the game for all levels.

Just a reminder that our schedule of open play is 8 to noon daily (Monday and Friday at 9:30) at Valais outdoor courts. Games may still be going on at the Rec Center from 9 to noon as well.

Everyone is welcome to come and have fun!
Cary Hobbs

Save these dates:

Thursday, July 9 - 10 to noon - Clinic with Jim & Alison Pelletier at Valais Courts
Thursday, July 9 - 5 to 8 pm - Appetizer Potluck at Valais Pavilion
Wednesday, August 5 - 10 to noon - Clinic with Brenda Blackham
Social TBA

Monday, June 8, 2015

Summer Kickoff

Good morning, picklers!

The Summer Kickoff  held on Thursday, June 4 at the Valais courts and pavilion was attended by 33 members, spouses, and guests. Several played from 4-6, then joined the rest of the group for the potluck at 6:30. We were fortunate to have great weather, not too hot, not too breezy....pretty much a perfect pickleball day and evening!



And the food was amazing! If you missed the party, we hope you'll join us for the next one. No date set yet, but the board is meeting next week and we'll plan something fun and let you know. If you ever have any suggestions for the board, you can email any one of us with your ideas. We are the following:

President, Kris Beer - kbeer62@msn.com
Vice President, Csary Hobbs - caryhobbs@comcast.net
Secretary, Carol Lee - caleeinpc@aol.com
Treasurer, Kay Shean - kayshean@msn.com
Social Director, Leslie Oksner - 2lolo@earthlink.net
Training Director, Mike Altieri - ma1077@swbell.net

We'd love to know what is working or not, what you'd like to do about training and clinics, scheduling of open play indoors and outdoors, future tournaments, and of course, social get-togethers. Other clubs we have heard about have ladies days, breakfasts, lunches, cocktail parties...we are open to whatever suggestions you have.  So BRING IT ON!!!

Final Opportunity to Order Your HVPC T-shirt

Before the order goes in, later this week, order yours. Great summer dri-fit fabric, If you don't fall down n the dirt or drip your after-play ice cream cone down the front, or sweat profusely, you can even wear it multiple days without washing. You can also look like all your pickleball friends who have theirs. Togetherness may not help your game, but you'll be lookin' good!

Stay tuned for information about upcoming clinics and other pickleball-related news.


Check out the following websites:
http://www.allaboutpickleball.com/
http://www.pickleballrocks.com/
http://www.pickleballchannel.com
http://www.YouTube.com/pickleball/videos