Aiken Pickleball News

New Outdoor Court Locations

New outdoor pickleball courts are now available to the public at Eustis Park (located on Edgefield Ave., N.W, between Morgan Street, NW and Church Street NW.) There are 4 purpose built courts there and they are open during park hours (dawn to dusk). There are two courts available (multi-purpose) at Kalmia Hills (Westcliff) Park (3311 Summit Drive). These two courts are superimposed on the two tennis courts. The height of the net (34 " in the center) for pickleball may be achieved by sliding the strap in the middle of the tennis net to the right or left until the desired height is achieved. There are no lights at this park so play is during daylight only. Neither location presently provides paddles or balls so bring your own.

Click here for a map of places to play pickleball in Aiken.

Photo below: Kalmia Hills Park

Photo below: Eustis Park

Packing nets into the bags

Nancy Racki shared the following link to a good video on the proper way to pack a net into the bag provided.

Let's all give it a try. It will probably save some wear and tear on our equipment!

Click here to see the video.

Thanks, Nancy!

Three Generations

Ron Nelson enjoyed some lively pickleball today with his son (Ron) and his grandson (Ron). Since there is not yet an R4 on the court, Dick Keeler filled in as the fourth.

Pickleball Central discount

Thank you to Pickleball Central for being one of the sponsors of the upcoming Palmetto Invitational Tournament. Pickleball Central, which is an online store selling everything related to pickleball, continues to offer our players a 5% discount on their orders. They also give Odell Weeks a 5% credit on each order. Just put in the discount code CRODELL when placing your order. It is a win/win for everyone, and helps pay for pickleball supplies at Odell Weeks. Check it out at www.pickleballcentral.com.

Grip size chart

Buying a new pickleball paddle? Check out the grip size chart under the "Information" tab on the menu to see which size is right for you!

Handicap parking spaces at Odell Weeks

The staff at Odell Weeks has asked us to remind our players that the handicap parking spaces in their parking lot require the car have a handicap license tag or a handicap pass displayed on the rear view mirror in the car. We ask players to please park in these parking spaces only if they have the proper signage displayed on their cars. Remember that this privilege is only for the handicapped person, so a player who has a qualifying family member cannot take advantage of parking in a handicap space when the qualifying person is not with him/her. These spaces must be reserved for those in need of them.

Aiken Pickleball t-shirts 2022

Marian and Mo Garcia have offered to place t-shirt orders for anyone who is interested. The order deadline will be June 15th. Please give $18.00 to Marian Garcia or Mo Garcia. Make checks payable to Mo Power Sport LLC. If you are paying with cash, please put it in an envelope with your name on it. You may also make payments via Zelle or Venmo. For information on using these methods, please e-mail Mo at mog01@aol.com or Marian at mag29803@aol.com.

To place an order for a t-shirt, click here.

Women's colors are listed below. Women's shirts are also available in v-neck style. Please indicate on the order form whether you want a regular neck or a v-neck.

Men's colors are:

The logo on the shirt will be similar to the one shown below.

Schedule

API Leadership Team Nominations Due by Oct. 15!

API is a two-year-old tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our intent is to promote the game of Pickleball and to provide competitive and social pickleball activities. Our responsibility as delineated in our MOU with the City of Aiken’s PRC is for the management and growth of Pickleball within the greater Aiken area which includes but not limited to; the annual Palmetto Tournament, the Aiken Area Social Pickleball League, social activities, scheduling for courts, player ratings and various Pickleball clinics.

Those interested in running for the Nov. 10 API Leadership Team elections should send an email to aikenpickleball@gmail.com. That email should include a brief resume about the nominee to include prior experience with pickleball and other qualifications.

We will elect a minimum of five people as board members. Members of the current API board and the Leadership Team members have voting rights. The term of office begins Jan. 1. Most Board Director positions are two-year terms, although some will be limited to a one-year term.

Ideal candidates should support API’s goals of promoting competitive and social pickleball activities. They should be willing to encourage sportsmanship and camaraderie and be able to work well with other board members. They should be of good character and operate with integrity and honesty. Duties include monthly meetings and occasional special meetings.

** All Board and Leadership positions within this organization are strictly volunteer and entirely non-compensated roles. Individuals serving in these capacities are driven solely by dedication to the organization's mission and objectives, with no financial renumeration, salary, or stipend provided for their service. The volunteer nature of these critical roles fundamentally affirms an organizational commitment to selfless service and mission advancement.

If you need more information, call Dean Cheatham at (760) 443-4379 or George Carr at (803) 507-4640.

New Player Clinic at the Gregg Park on Saturday, August 16th.

Aiken Pickleball, Inc. is hosting a New Player Clinic at the Gregg Park Civic Center on Saturday, August 16th. In this clinic you will learn everything you need to get started playing the sport of pickleball. Please wear tennis shoes and bring something to drink. Balls and paddles provided. Class limited to eight. Cost is $10 per person. Schedule as follows:

1030 - 11am - Check-in at front desk

11am - 12pm - New Players Clinic Instruction

12 - 1pm - Practice Play

Players must register and pay in advance which can be done online at GreggParkonline.com or at the Gregg Park Civic Center. Cost is $10 per person. Non-members are welcome to attend but must also pay an additional $10 daily admittance fee.

Fee also includes attendance at a New Players Practice session on the following Saturday at Gregg Park. Non members will still be required to pay the Gregg Park $10 additional admittance fee.