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Welcome NEW Pickleball Players!

Welcome to the great sport of Pickleball. We hope this page will provide you with information to get you started playing pickleball with the Santa Cruz Pickleball Club (SCPC). 

First: What does a pickleball court look like?
 
It's basically a 44 foot by 20 foot playing surface with specific lines to manage play. CLICK HERE for more details.
Second: What equipment do I need to play pickleball?

When playing pickleball, each player will need a pickleball paddle, which is smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Originally, paddles were made only from
wood, however today’s paddles have evolved dramatically and are primarily 
made of lightweight composite materials,including aluminum and graphite.
Players will also need a net and a pickleball. The ball itself is unique, with
holes through it like a wiffle ball and there are different ball models intended
for indoor and outdoor play. The ball travels at 1/3 the speed of a tennis
ball and is usually white or yellow in color.
 
If you play with the SCPC, we have paddles available for a donation of $2.00 per use. We recommend using our paddles to start with so you can get a feel for the different paddles and what suits your playing style. We will supply balls and the nets during scheduled play times. If you decide to purchase your own paddle, see below under "How Much Does it Costs".

We HIGHLY recommend wearing some type of eye protection as the ball can travel fast and you may not have enough time to protect yourself. Most players wear sunglasses with shatter proof lenses. However, there are safety glasses available that have no lenses but still protect the eyes. So as to not mark up the courts, please wear court or tennis shoes to play in.
Third:  Where can I play?

The SCPC has scheduled play 5 days a week and there is also play at Scotts Valley on Saturdays. New players are welcome; however, we currently have an 18 year old or older requirement.  Each venue has a Site Coordinator who is in charge of that site for that day. Please arrive at 11:30am on your first day and ask for the Site Coordinator. You will be asked to sign a waiver, and then you will get a quick overview of the game and they will show you some basic shots. The Site Coordinator will then get you your first game and introduce you to the signup board and how to sign up for games.

CLICK HERE to see where we play and who the Site Coordinator is for that site.
Fourth:  How much does it cost?

The SCPC requests a small $2.00 donation when you play at one of our scheduled play times. The money goes towards purchasing pickleball nets, balls and loaner paddle. We also purchase equipment to maintain the court and clean the playing surfaces. If you use one of the Clubs paddles, we suggest an additional $2.00 donation for its use.

If you decide to purchase your own paddle, there a number of websites that sell pickleball paddles. The Play It Again Sports store in Soquel, CA has some paddles for sale. As an alternative Pickleball Central website has a number of paddles for all skill levels and typically cost $35 to over $100. If you use the code "crsantacruz" during checkout, you will receive a 5% discount and the SCPC will also receive a 5% credit. CLICK HERE to access Pickleball Central.
Fifth and Final: HAVE FUN!

The SCPC mission is to provide pickleball to people that want to play regardless of age or skill level. We are a fun and friendly group and you will be welcomed no matter what venue to decide to attend  We have various activities throughout the year such as Trainings and our Halloween (everyone dressed up) tournament. Again be sure to signup and become a member of the Santa Cruz Pickleball Club so you can receive the club informational emails.
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