Frequently Asked Questions

Playing pickleball

• What is pickleball?

  Pickleball, often described as the fastest-growing sport in North America, is a court sport similar to tennis, but played on a badminton-sized court with a paddle instead of a racquet and a plastic ball rather than a tennis ball. Invented in 1968 in the state of Washington, pickleball has quickly spread throughout the world as a simple game that can be easily learned and played by people of all ages and athletic ability. Unlike tennis, which can take many years to master, it is not uncommon for people to learn pickleball quickly and compete at national tournaments within a year or two. But be warned--the sport may just be the most addictive sport you have ever tried!

• I am a total beginner. What should I do?

  SAPC welcomes players of all skill levels. We recommend that you start by taking a free beginner lesson; for details, please email the club’s training coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Although players are expected to buy their own equipment, the club has loaner paddles available for new players attending a beginner lesson.

• What should I do after I have taken my first beginner lesson?

  Everyone learns at a different pace and in different ways, so you are the best judge as to what your next step should be. SAPC offers a mentoring session for people who feel they are not yet ready to play with the rest of the members just yet. Check the SAPC calendar for the next available mentoring sessions for those rated 2.0. After one to three mentoring sessions, you should be ready to play at the 2.0 level, and can check the calendar for the next available 2.0 session (or "2.0 to 2.5" session).

• What is a player rating?

  To help differentiate players of different skill levels, a rating system allows players to self-identify a rating based on specific criteria, or acquire a rating by participating in a rating clinic or by playing in tournaments sanctioned by Pickleball Canada. Ratings follow a scale of 1.0 to 5.0 (1.0 is beginner, 5.0 is world-class player) that includes half-point increments. As most club play sessions are organized by rating level, you will need to assess your rating so that you can play in the appropriate session. You can find self-rating guidelines at http://ifpickleball.org/ifp-rating-descriptions.

  When assessing your own rating, remember to err on the side of rating yourself DOWN rather than rating yourself UP. For instance, if you feel you might be a 2.5 or a 3.0 but are not sure, you should rate yourself at the lower rating of 2.5.

  SAPC members who would like to play at the 3.0 level or higher should first attend a rating clinic and earn a club rating at a 3.0 or 3.5 level.  See member newsletters and web-site announcements for the next available ratings clinic.  Members can also access our Skill Levels and Ratings page for more information.

• What can I do to improve my skills/rating?

  St. Albert Pickleball Club, at times, offers advanced clinics at a cost, dependent on finding coaches and suitable venues. Advanced players will sometimes volunteer to conduct skill development sessions as well.

• What should I wear?

  Wear appropriate workout clothing and footwear and stay hydrated to ensure your safety during play. Proper shoes are a must; court shoes (such as for tennis) are recommended. If playing at an indoor venue, court shoes must be clean and only used indoors. Visors, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen are also advisable during outdoor play. Do not play on the outdoor courts when they are wet and slippery.

• Does the club provide balls?

  Yes, the club provides balls for use during club organized play. Please do not remove them from the courts as the club funds were used to purchase them, and they belong to the club.

• Does the club provide loaner paddles?

  Aside from beginner lessons, players are required to bring their own paddles. Although St. Albert Pickleball Club does not endorse suppliers, paddles can be purchased at local sporting goods stores. In addition, home-based pickleball trainers who periodically provide training at club venues will often have paddles for sale.  When buying a paddle, buy one that feels good in your hand. Paddles to avoid include paddles that come in a set of two with a ball (they are a play set), along with paddles that have foam cores (these are of very low quality, and are often sold in department stores such as Canadian Tire). A typical paddle will have a core made of polymer, graphite, aluminum, or Nomex (a type of polymer). Prices will vary, but any paddle in the price range of $70 or up should be of sufficient quality.  You are strongly encouraged to buy a paddle that meets official approved specifications. Non-approved paddles cannot be used in sanctioned tournaments. A list of paddles that meet official specifications can be found at https://www.pickleballcanada.org/approved_paddle_list.php

• When are your scheduled play sessions?

  Check the Calendar to confirm start time for drop-in sessions. Times vary according to the season and the available venues, and sometimes there are last-minute cancellations (particularly for school venues).  Always check the calendar before heading out to play!

• What if I can not make it to any scheduled play sessions?

  Many members play outdoors at times that are not scheduled by the club. The club’s Facebook group is the best way to organize a play session outside of scheduled hours.

• How is play organized at club sessions?

  Each club play session generally follows either the paddle system or round robin system.  

  Paddle System

  After a match is finished, the winners place their paddles in the GOLD box, and losers place their paddles in the SILVER box. Paddles for the next game are pulled from each box in alternating groups of four. (This helps to to mix up play, so that you do not play with the same partner two games in a row). This is good for inclusive play, which our club promotes.

  Round Robin

  When you arrive at a venue for a round robin session, you will be assigned a random number. A sheet or white board specifies each game as a group of four random “numbers” (players), which helps ensure people play with and against different players throughout the session.

  When attending a round robin session, please arrive no later than fifteen minutes before the session is scheduled to start. Latecomers may not be allowed to participate in the session.

  A club ladder is also sometimes organized during the outdoor season.

  A more complete set of club rules and conventions for these and other play types may be found here.  

Membership

• Why should I become a St. Albert Pickleball Club member?

  You need to be a member of St Albert Pickleball Club in order to play at designated "Members Only" drop-in times and participate in certain club-sponsored events, such as advanced lessons, training opportunities, round robin mixers, club tournaments, ladder play and social events. Your membership fee also includes affiliation with Pickleball Alberta and Pickleball Canada, which allows you to enter sanctioned tournaments.  (Membership in Pickleball Canada also provides the club and members with insurance, and helps develop pickleball as a provincial, national, and international sport.)

  Members also save on indoor play, as they pay one sticker to play versus the two stickers charged for a visitor's play.

  For more information or to apply for membership, please visit Membership.

• How do members and visitors obtain stickers?

  Members can purchase an indoor venue card of 20 stickers for $60 from the private members section of this website. Visitors may purchase two stickers from any member for $6.00 exact change.

• How can I get more involved in the club as a member?

  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the St. Albert Pickleball Club, and are needed to continue almost all aspects of the club’s operations. Whether volunteering to help at tournaments, setting up and taking down equipment at round robin sessions, organizing pot lucks, or even serving on the executive board, the club needs YOU. Please consider volunteering; without volunteers these events cannot take place.

  In addition, the club holds monthly board meetings and a general membership meeting (AGM) once a year in the spring. All members are encouraged to attend the AGM, speak up, and vote on the important matters affecting the future direction of the club. Board elections also take place at the AGM; please consider standing for election.

  As a member you will automatically be on the mailing list and will receive important information, including regular newsletters.  The newsletter and this website are the primary means by which the club communicates matters of importance to all members. 

• What are the club’s expectations of me?

  Whether you are a new or longtime member of the St. Albert Pickleball Club, you are expected to know and practice the club’s Code of Conduct, Safety, Pickleball Rules, and Courtesy and Etiquette; these are described in the club’s Membership Handbook. The Handbook can be found under Play With Us.

• Do you allow guests?

  Visitors may attend events other than those marked "Members Only" on the calendar. At indoor events, including mentoring sessions, visitors pay two stickers to attend, and may purchase these stickers for $6.00 exact change from any other member in attendance. 

  Visitors living in the vicinity of St. Albert are expected to become members after three drop-ins as a visitor, and may become members before attending any drop-in sessions.

Money matters

• Do I have to pay to play on public outdoor courts?

  With the exception of tournaments and certain other special events, members and non-members can play on the city's outdoor courts at no additional cost. However, the City of St Albert has granted the club exclusive access to some of the courts on certain scheduled times. If indicated as "Members Only" on the calendar, then only members are allowed to play on the courts at those times.  

• How are club funds used?

  Money collected from membership dues, drop-in fees, fundraisers, donations, etc. is used to pay for rental of venues, insurance, equipment and balls, social events, and the administrative requirements of running the club. Some money is also set aside for court maintenance and upgrades.  In addition, $5 of each membership fee goes to Pickleball Alberta and another $5 goes to Pickleball Canada, and members automatically become members of those organizations as well.

• Is my annual membership fee tax deductible?

  No, it is not.

Safety

• Are there bathrooms near the courts?

  Yes, there are outdoor toilets located next to the outdoor courts, and there are indoor bathrooms at the gymnasiums.  If you play in the early spring, before the court's official season opening, it is possible that the City won't have yet installed the outdoor toilets.

• Is there a first aid kit at the courts?

  There should always be a first aid kit available at the courts during club organized play. If it is not there when you need it, contact a club officer and report that it is not there.

• Is there an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the courts?

  There may be an AED available at some indoor courts and the actual location is generally set for the season. The City does not provide AED's for outdoor courts.

• What should I do in case of emergency?

  If a player becomes injured, notify the venue captain if possible and administer first aid as needed. If there is an emergency, dial 911, state the nature of the problem, give your exact location (posted on the board or in the front jacket of the Captain’s book), your name, and your phone number.

Miscellaneous

• Do you have a lost and found?

  Players sometimes leave items at the courts. Check with the captain at the venue for the lost and found items.

• Does the club sell t-shirts?

  Yes, SAPC usually has a blitz in the spring for club T-shirts. A notice will be sent out when orders are being accepted. The price will be determined by the quantity being ordered.

If you have other questions and answers you would like added to this list, or if you have questions you want to ask the club, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks!