Maui's First Pickleball Ambassador

A big welcome to Maui's first Pickleball Ambassador, Todd Richter. Todd works for the County of Maui and has been instrumental, in the past few months, in setting up a number of pickleball venues on the island. Looking forward to Todd's continued efforts to grow the game on the Valley Isle.

Enjoying the 'Pickleball Life' on Kauai.

National Pickleball Champion Scott Moore

Eighty-eight Kauai pickelball enthusiasts were treated to a free clinic at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on March 20, 2016.  The clinic was given by visitor Scott Moore, the reigning No. 1 senior  pickleball player in the world.  Scott shared his expertise, letting players know, among other bits of advice, that "for every hour you play you should also drill for an hour."  Scott is pictured with his wife Susan in the group photo(second row--center).  For more info on Kauai Pickleball:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Tournament Results 2016 Kauai Senior Olympics Pickleball

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Senior Olympics Pickleball Begins

Tonight's reception/potluck kicked off the official start of the Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament on Kauai. 95 people were in attendance and all enjoyed food prepared by our local pickleball 'ohana (family). Entries were limited to the first 100 players. 64 are from off island. Furthest participant...The Villages in Florida. California led all participants from out of state. This tournament is a qualifier for the National Senior Games in 2017. Play starts tomorrow thru Sunday. Aloha to all our friends playing this wonderful game.

Reception/Potluck At The Kalaheo Neighborhood Center

Getting Ready For Pickleball In Paradise

Finalizing everything for the Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Doubles Pickleball Tournament next weekend (3/11-3/13) on Kauai. Lots of fun work. Our pickleball ohana is ready for their volunteer assignments. 80 teams will be playing for fun....and hardware. This tournament is a qualifier for the National Senior Games. www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Kauai's First Pickleball Tournament A Success

Just completed our first ever Pickleball tournament on Kauai. It was a round robin tournament with eight teams each in an 'A' and 'B' bracket. Tourney was a precursor to our Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Pickleball tournament to be held in two weeks. Wanted to give our players a chance to referee matches so they could prepare for the upcoming sanctioned Senior Games.  Fun pickleball day that was followed by a wonderful pot luck luncheon.

Center: Gold-Victor and Sara Betancourt; Left-Silver-Fran Graziano and Tiffany Rae; Right: Bronze-Lucia and Ray Bartels

Center: Gold-Carol Surrat and Wendell Condon; Left-Bronze-David and Theresa Della Lana (daughter Nohea); Right: Silver-Janet Nathanson and Phil Eliana

Hawaii Pickleball Competition In March

Pickleball in Hawaii will be more than evident as the 2016 Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Pickleball tournament will commence on Kauai March 11-13.  The competition will feature men's, women's, and mixed doubles.  82 teams will vie for medals and a chance to compete in the 2017 National Senior Games.

Kauai Christmas Pickleball Play

Kauai's southside pickleball players gathered at the Hanapepe Tennis Courts this week for some fun Christmas play.  The hub of Kauai pickleball is the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym, but over the Holidays, the youngsters have gym priority, so the pickleball group moves outside for two weeks.  Gym play is normally Tuesday and Thursday.  Outside play is on Fridays.  For these two weeks, play will be T-TH-F.  Mele Kalikimaka.  More info:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Christmas 2015

Five Fun Friday Hawaii Pickleball Facts

1. Split Sessions-Kalaheo Neighborhood Center (Kauai):  We are averaging 30 players (or 60 each day).  TTH, 8:30-10:30 (novice) and 10:30-12:30 (more advanced).
2. March, 2016 Senior Olympics Tournament:  We are FULL.  76 teams.  We will take ten more registrations so that we can cover anyone dropping out for various reasons.
3. Diamond Head Tennis Center has just finished the renovation of one pickleball court.  New surface, new lines, continued new interest.  Lots of mainland visitors!!!!
4. Maui Pickleball: Mahalo to Cathy White, Maris van der Lee, and Laurie Loney for getting the pukaball rolling on Maui.  They have approached the Maui Recreation Dept.  Interest is keen.
5. State of Hawaii Pickleball websites:  www.kauaipickleball.shuttterfly.com  konapickleballhui.weebly.com  http://holuatennisandpickleballcenter.com  Diamond Head Pickleball is on Facebook.  Kailua Pukaball Ohana is also on Facebook.

Kauai Halloween Pickleball Clinic Big Success

The second Demonstration Pickleball Clinic on Kauai's south side of the island was a big success, with 40 new, interested, players.  A staff of 12 Kauai club players were also on hand to welcome the new players and guide them through a presentation that included rules, scoring, technique, strategy, and court positioning.  State Ambassador Jack Hodges (a resident of Kauai) gave a brief introduction to the game and then turned the instruction over to club players.  The clinic was sponsored by the Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation and was conducted at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym.  Department staff on hand included Cindy Duterte, Melanie Okamoto and James Kealalio.

New Kauai Pickleball Attendance Record

New attendance record today--10/22/15--for our gym pickleball group.  We had 47 players at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym on Kauai.  Our numbers continue to grow.  Twice last week we had 30+ players and Tuesday of this week...36.  Everyone is getting ready for the 2016 Senior Olympics Pickleball tournament on Kauai, March 11-13.

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Senior Olympics Pickleball On Kauai

This will be the first ever Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament on Kauai.  Proceeds go to the Kauai Ho'ohui Recreation Foundation, an organization that works in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation to help promote the involvement of Kauai's people in fun and worthwhile recreational activities and events. 

2016 Hawaii Senior Olympics Pickleball

The Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that the 2016 Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament will take place on Kauai at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center in the town of Kalaheo.  The event, part of the Aloha State Games, is scheduled for March 11-13.  The 2016 Senior Olympics Games is a qualifier for the 2017 National Senior Games.  This is an "open" tournament, meaning players may enter from anywhere in the world.  The tournament will be limited to the first 100 entries.  The tournament is USAPA sanctioned.  Players must be a member of the USAPA.  Entry form is available at:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

How To Find Pickleball In Paradise

Looking for places to play in Paradise....Hawaii that is?  Pickleball is going strong on four different islands--Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.  Google any of these islands with the keyword pickleball and you will probably find what you are looking for.  Kona (on the island of Hawaii) has two strong groups--Kona Pickleball Hui and The Holua Pickleball Center.  They also play in Hilo.  Oahu has two groups playing in Waikiki and another in Kailua.  Kauai has five venues--Hanapepe Tennis Courts, Kalaheo Neighborhood Gym, Kauai Christian Fellowship Center (Koloa), Kilauea Gym, and Princeville.  A with venue is scheduled to open in March.  Maui is just getting public pickleball together, but many Mauians play on private courts and welcome visitors.  You just have to know how to find them.  pickleballmaui.com is a good start.  If you need help, contact Hawaii State Pickleball Ambassador Jack Hodges www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com  He will put you in contact with site coordinators.  Pack your paddle and be ready to play pickleball in paradise.  Aloha.

National Pickleball Champion Alex Hamner

Four time National Pickleball Champion Alex Hamner will appear at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym (Island of Kauai) to play pickleball and give any interested persons free instruction on one of “America’s Fastest Growing Sports.”  Alex (and her doubles partner Jennifer Lucore) has won more women's doubles tournaments and gold medals than anyone in the 50 year history of this game.  Stop by to hear her words of advice.  Dress to play if you would like.  Equipment provided.  Date: Thursday, Aug. 13th.  Time: 9:00 a.m.

More Info: www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

The Origins of Pickleball

Ever wonder how this amazing game that you love so much got started? Well, don’t miss this episode of I ♥ Pickleball! Pickleball Channel was fortunate enough to go to Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of the sport, to speak with one of the founders of pickleball, Barney McCallum. Join us as we take you back to a rainy island day when the kids had nothing to do, and some charismatic men decided to make up a game! Learn how the founders made up the rules, how it spread off of Bainbridge Island, and how it eventually became the amazing sport we know today.  This is one episode you do not want to miss! Watch it now!

Note:  The picture is a screen shot.  You will have to click above "Watch It Now"

Places To Play Pickleball In Hawaii

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Would you pack your pickleball paddle when traveling to Hawaii if you knew there were pickleball venues near you?  Would you choose a particular island based on pickleball opportunities on that island?  Here is everything pickleball in Hawaii as of February, 2016.  I have listed websites (if available).  Check Facebook as well.  Also check usapa.org and click on "Places To Play."

Kauai: www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com  Public pickleball venues are located in Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Koloa, Kapaa, Kilauea and Princeville.  There are a number of private courts at hotels and clubs.  Another source would be kauaipickleball.com

Oahu:  Public venues in Kailua, Waikiki (Diamond Head Tennis Center and Ft. DeRussy).  See Waikiki Outdoor Pickleball on Facebook.  Wilson Community Park is another venue.

Maui:  Check usapa.org "Places To Play."  A few private courts and a couple of hotels.  Good source: pickleballmaui.com A few hardworking people are doing their best to get Maui Recreation on board.

Hawaii (Big Island):  Two thriving groups in Kailua Kona.  Kona Pickleball Hui (lookup on Facebook).  Holua Tennis and Pickleball Center in Kona (Google).  They also play in Hilo, but no contact information at this time.

Pickleball is growing in Hawaii.  We completed the first ever Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament in Kona in July of 2015.  2016 Games will be on Kauai in March.  This will be a qualifier for the Nationals in 2017.

Did I mention to be sure you packed your pickleball paddle if you are traveling to Hawaii?  Play in the morning, sightsee the rest of the day, mai tais at sunset.  Repeat.  It doesn't get much better.

Pickleball Tips

It is very important to understand "Coverage" of the court (with your partner) relative to the position of the ball in your opponents court.  See diagram above.

1.  If the ball is directly opposite you (not diagonally opposite), you must cover your line.  This shot down the line is the easiest (highest percentage) shot for your opponent.  Shot A.

2.  Your partner will cover the middle.  He/she is responsible for Shot B.

3.  Shot C is very low percentage and your partner may get to it, but if she/he does not....you both clap and congratulate your opponent on a nice shot.

4.  If the ball is opposite both of you in the middle, you both cover the middle.  Make them angle the shot toward either line.  Much lower percentage.  If they hit it hard, the ball could carry out wide.  If they dink, one of you can get to it.

5.  The game becomes much easier if you just employ the above coverages.  Of course, you have to keep the ball in play and/or "place" a winner.  Patience and Placement....don't forget the two "P's."

Pickleball Portable Storage Bin

Visit Our Kauai Pickleball Website at  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

One of the perks of being a USAPA Ambassador (or on-site coordinator).  You are in charge of the portable storage bin.  Nets, paddles, balls, USAPA sign, fold-up table, painter's tape, chalk, tape measure, markers, clipboards, string (weights to hold down string in case you are chalking all by yourself), etc.  BTW, there is a broom/squeegee in there.  Wouldn't have it any other way (except when I go to Costco)!