The Paradise Center hosts beginners pickleball workshop

Longboat Key
Neighbors

The Paradise Center parking lot is the place to be if you want to become a pickleball pro.

Volunteer certified instructor Terri Noyes held the first pickleball workshop of the season on Nov. 13 to teach the basics of pickleball and make people feel more comfortable on the court.

Noyes invited three other experienced pickleball players to teach, including certified coach Elizabeth Apmann. The other two volunteers were Tina Lickey and Robby Reid. They all play together at Bayfront Park.

All equipment was provided. The group went over the rules of the game, different techniques and answered any questions.

Many of the participants in the workshop were former tennis players.

Barbara Cincotta, Jill Caruso and Yaz Packtor came together as a group and were excited to learn a new sport.

"It seems so fun and it is super popular so we thought it would be the perfect time to try it,” Cincotta said.

Cincotta also said that it's a great way to bond with her friends, and she is excited to start a new hobby.

Noyes encourages all beginner pickleball players to go to the next Paradise Center Workshop at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 11. She said it is an accessible opportunity to get a feel for the sport and get answers to all the questions that one might have as a beginner.

author

Petra Rivera

Petra Rivera is the Longboat community reporter. She holds a bachelor’s degree of journalism with an emphasis on reporting and writing from the University of Missouri. Previously, she was a food and drink writer for Vox magazine as well as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian.