A Peek into SoCal Pickleball
Challenges that can deter even enthusiastic rec players, highlights from the SoCal pickleball scene, and pickleball as just part of a happy, intentional life.
So here I was, settled into SoCal, ready to finish out what’s been a very eventful year. Pickleball play opportunities were in full-swing, and I was this close—indicates with fingers—to joining a women's league, when a family emergency took me to wintry Montana for a month. There, they closed the outdoor community courts in early November, and finding options for play felt—let’s just say—complicated.
It wasn’t just the opportunities for play that felt complicated. Finding time and social energy amidst this emergency was tricky. And then there were the challenges that can deter any rec player: finding people to play with, finding reasonably priced (not $25+) drop-in play, and navigating the social aspects of the game in a new scene.
Maybe it’s helpful to know that even an outgoing pickleball lover like me sometimes gets daunted by these dynamics. Thankfully, I—most days—love the game and love playing with new people enough to keep navigating new scenes, and try to help others do the same.
But the thirty days in Montana were not those days. In fact, the only pickleball I played was 45 minutes in a church gym with my dad. I can’t remember if he asked his more-pickleball-seasoned daughter for tips—or if I simply fell into the bad habit we pickleballers can have of giving unsolicited coaching. So sorry if that was the case, Dad.
The family situation has stabilized in miraculous ways, and I’m now back in SoCal. I’m thrilled to have returned to more pickleball playing and diving back into writing. With no further ado, here are the latest pickleball musings and observations from this pocket of the United States.
Public play
When I first arrived here in Oceanside area, I went to the local courts during public play hours. I didn’t know of anyone playing, but had my handy-dandy Ballszie fanny pack so I could more easily practice my serve. Heaven knows it needs work. [Side note: I met the creator of this genius product, Alex, on a pickleball court in Colorado. I use it often and think every coach and player should have one. I’m not an affiliate, just genuinely love it.] Anyway, I got no serving practice in, since three people playing snatched me right up, happy to have a fourth player.
That’s one of my favorite parts of pickleball, the people who proactively include even a perfect stranger. Any stranger, that is, with a paddle.
Pickleball is just part of a happy, intentional life
The pickleball hype and love is still real, but I’ve become more “real” about it all. The pendulum swung pretty far to the “Pickleball is life!” end of the spectrum, but I’ve swung back to considering it as a happy part of a happy, intentional life.
This may come as a shock, but there are even times when I don’t feel like going to pickleball. The scheduled playtime might feel too early, too cold, the timing is inconvenient, or I’m caught up doing something else. And sometimes I’m just not in the mood—gasp. But every single time I go, which is basically every time it’s on my schedule, I am really glad I did.
Getting off the sidelines
Speaking of that, I’ve come to appreciate that scheduled pickleball commitments are a total gift for this work-from-home writer and entrepreneur. They give me a dedicated place to do physical and fun things with my gift of a body, get out of my head, and be around more people. It’s such an immersive experience, one you can’t totally control, and an opportunity to get off the sidelines—literally and figuratively. Life is where people are.
Recent people highlights include a conversation with a woman about family losses—she did not look old enough to have already lost her mother and father, choices of adult children, their names. Another was with a woman who was finally back on the court after eight months away thanks to two broken toes. Ouch. A third was less of a conversation, and more just shared laughter with my teammate over her inability to get the ball over the net. I’ve seen her play before, and this was just an off day for her.
Clinics + drills
A local tennis and pickleball club offers an intermediate clinic I attend most Thursdays. The drills are fair-to-middling helpful, since at this level, we’re all working on our ability to place shots consistently. We know what we’re supposed to do, but doing it is another story. We thus aren’t able to reliably feed the ball to each other, but I get enough benefit from the drills and play that I return, week after week. Plus, I’ve gotten to know everyone who comes, and it feels almost like a college class—the kind you look forward to instead of dread.
Chickleball + Lazy River
A morning “Chickleball” (women’s-only) playtime has become one of my favorite organized pickleball experiences. Members of the local pickleball boosters association play for free, and non-members like myself pay a mere $3 for two hours of organized drills, playtime, training moments, and camaraderie.
Each week, we end with what we at least call “Lazy River.” This is where all players—regardless of ability—are randomly assigned to a court, using bottle corks with numbers written on them. Winners of each 11-minute game advance toward Court #1, while losers move toward Court #11, with teams splitting up on the new court.
I was caught off-guard last week when my very athletic-looking partner for the second game asked, “So, what are your strengths and weaknesses?” My mind went completely blank—blank like an expanse of undisturbed Montana snow. It felt like I suddenly didn’t know a single thing about myself, and I was so distracted that I’m not sure I heard what she shared about her strengths and weaknesses. Thankfully, I ended up playing beyond my usual abilities and hope that compensated for my nincompoop response to her question.
Your turn
Do any of my recent experiences make you think of a highlight or lowlight from your own recent pickleball experiences? Please share! One of the great things about this game is that even similar experiences have their individual nuances, and it’s a treat to witness and share.