GENERAL VW PICKLEBALL INFORMATION

Pickleball is a well-used amenity in Verona Walk, enjoyed by a very friendly and welcoming group of players. The pickleball club has our own web page: (http://www.veronawalkpickleball.com) with all needed information about playing in our community, including a portal to make court reservations through CourtReserve.

FACILITY INFORMATION

There are 2 court facilities: the original 4 courts and a newer 2 court facility near the playground. Equipment boxes by the courts hold extra paddles that can be borrowed (please return after using), a 1st aid kit, and towels to dry the benches when they are wet. 2 near-by restrooms are available: one by the basketball court and the other in the tennis gazebo (this one requires your amenity fob). There is an unrefrigerated water fountain by the 4-court facility, and refrigerated water fountains on the southwest side of the maintenance garage near the 2 courts and at the tennis gazebo. The nearest AED machine is located at the bocce gazebo near the playground. Another is in the tennis gazebo, above the water fountain. 

PLAYING TIMES AND PROCEDURES

The 4-court facility is open from 7:30 am until dusk. The 2 courts have lights and are open from 7:30 am until 9 pm with the light switch located just outside and on the left of the court gate. Early morning hours (7:30-10:00 am) are busy and all courts are designated as "open play" during these hours. There is a dry erase board at each court facility near the benches where players place their names in blocks to create foursomes and play one game on the first available open court. They exit the court after the game and place their names at the end of the line on the board, playing again in turn. 

Starting in October and extending through the busy season there is a “Just for Fun” VW community league for resident players on all courts during the hours of 10:00-11:30 am every day but Sunday. Groups are divided by gender and rating, with a different group playing each day. To take part players need to add their DOB and rating to their CourtReserve profile. Players then present to the 4 court benches at 9:45 am to sign in on the appropriate days for their gender and rating, and foursomes are created randomly. Contact Allie or consult the pickleball club web page for additional information, including the schedule and a self-rating guide. 

During the season there are recurring groups that reserve the courts in 1–2-hour blocks during the week. The schedule for group reservations can be found on our website or the CourtReserve app under "Events" where monthly and weekly court use calendars can be viewed. At other times, courts are open for residents and their guests to reserve a court or if a specific court is not reserved, play when they choose as walk-ons. Reservations are not required, however players with reservations have priority over walk-ons. Reservations are available through CourtReserve accessed through our website: (http://www.veronawalkpickleball.com) under "Court Reservations" or through a free app (CourtReserve). You must be registered on the site to use it. Notify Allie (akd50@earthlink.net) to generate a welcome email from CourtReserve with a link to registration. A free CourtReserve cell phone app can be downloaded from the app store which makes reservation creation easier.  

EQUIPMENT

For beginners, we recommend waiting to purchase a paddle, borrowing one from the equipment boxes by the courts or another player until you are sure you enjoy the game and want to continue playing. To help prevent injuries on the court, we strongly suggest court shoes that have firmer support than conventional sneakers or running shoes. Protective eye wear is also advised. Hats or visors are helpful as the courts are sunny. Due to surrounding homeowner noise complaints, we are required to use quieter softer balls: Onix Pure 2 or Onix Fuse G2. Fuse G2 balls are located inside the courts in ball holders for all players to use. Quiet paddles are also mandated for play. Numerous companies now manufacture quiet paddles, and there are many options. Avoid very inexpensive paddles, which tend to be constructed of loud materials. Look for a "POLYMER CORE" and also a “USAPA Approved” marking on the paddle face, indicating higher quality construction. Ask the salesperson or contact the manufacturer before purchase if there is any question that the paddle is a quiet variety. Three paddles that we have banned due to loudness are the Onix Z5, Paddletek’s Anna Leigh Waters Bantam, and the ProKennex Black Ace Pro. Please refer to our web page for more information about paddles.

If you want to purchase equipment such as paddles or court shoes there is an on-line site called Pickleball Central, www.pickleballcentral.com, 888 854-0163. Their selection is good, and we have an account with them, so if you enter our code (CRVW) when checking out, you will get a 5% discount, and another 5% is put in our club account. There is free shipping for orders of more than $69.00, and they often have sales. Their customer service representatives are very helpful, and if you buy a paddle there and don’t like it, you can return it.

A local store is Tennis/Pickleball US in Bonita Springs: 25987 Tamiami Trail #104, Bonita Springs, 34134. 239 221-7147, (http://www.tennis-us.com)  It takes about 40 minutes to get there by using 75 north to Bonita Beach Road (exit 116), turning left at the light (west) for about 3.5 miles, then turning right (north) on route 41 for about 2 miles. The store will be on the right in a mall.  They have indoor courts where you can try different paddles which helps with the selection.

Another local store is Pro-Am Tennis & Pickleball, 13,000 Tamiami Trail, North Naples, 239 597-1222, (http://www.proamtennis.com). It is about 20 miles away on Tamiami Trail (Rt 41) just north of Immokalee Rd, on the right (north side) in a strip mall. The store is small with a knowledgeable staff, and they will let you borrow demo paddles free for a week to see if you like them.

Finally, there is a shop at the East Naples pickleball park, about 5 miles away at 3500 Thomasson Dr, Naples 34112, 239 252-4414. You can try out paddles on the outdoor courts there. 

Gary Stouffer is a player advocate for the Selkirk paddle company, who manufacture excellent quiet paddles. He has several sample paddles that can be tried on our courts, and he can explain the benefits of the various models. If you order a paddle through the Selkirk web site, put in Gary’s code: ADVGSTOUFFER 15% of the sale will be put into our club account and you will also receive future store credit based on the value of the paddle. Details of the program are posted on this web page. Through these paddle sales we are able to provide the free demo paddles in the equipment boxes. 

Other local stores such as Walmart and Dicks have limited equipment, but their sales personnel are not usually as knowledgeable if you need assistance, and they don't always carry quiet paddles and balls. Amazon has several paddles, many of which are inexpensive and loud, so be careful if ordering from them.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

These can be found on our web page. In general, court use is restricted to residents and their guests, and the courts can only be used to play the game. Appropriate dress and conduct are expected. If you drive a cart to the area, please park on the diagonal or parallel to the court fence to avoid infringing on the sidewalk at the 4-court facility. If you ride a bike there, please park it on the pavers next to the court fence, not on the sidewalk. The 2 new courts are next to a parking lot where cars and carts can be parked, and a bike rack is also available there. Both court facilities have shade umbrellas which need to be closed by players after use.

CLUB RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES

Our web site has all information regarding playing the sport in Verona Walk.

There is a "Verona Walk Pickleball Club" private page on Facebook, and you can sign up on Facebook to be added. The site includes helpful posts related to pickleball in general as well as specifically regarding playing in VW.

Allie sends emails to pickleball club members updating players about club activities. Contact her to be added to the email list (akd50@earthlink.net)

The pickleball club has periodic group get-togethers for players and their significant others on the lawn behind the town center. Allie sends out group emails when the parties are planned.

 CLASSES

One of our players, Gary Stouffer, is an experienced pickleball instructor, and he and his wife Becky generously give excellent free classes for all levels of players on court 5 (the court nearest the street in the 2-court facility) during the fall and winter. The lessons include 4 players per session and are progressive. New players take the beginner session, and experienced players start with an Improving Adult class. Thereafter various specific skills classes are available. Allie organizes the schedule: email her directly if you are interested in participating in the lessons (akd50@earthlink.net).

John Irish is a professional tennis and pickleball instructor who is teaching both sports within Verona Walk. He instructs all levels of pickleball and gives private as well as group classes for a fee. For group classes you need to assemble 3 or 4 players, then contact John to set up a time and court reservation: 630 312-9846, irishjohncharles@gmail.com. His flyers are at both court facilities.