Are you new to pickleball? SSFA Saskatoon Pickleball offers lessons for beginners, or those new in their pickleball journey. They are held Mondays from 10 am to 12 noon at Elim Church. We suggest:

• Protective Eyewear

• Pickleball play is getting faster and harder thanks to better paddles, more experienced players and plain evolution of the sport. Protective eyewear is important to save your eyesight! There are many types of safety sports glasses on the market so do your research. Look for something that is impact resistant. Make sure the glasses are designed for your environment: indoors vs outdoors, for example.

• Good Footwear

• There are many different brands of “pickleball shoes” on the market. They are basically court shoes that are used for other sports such as tennis, badminton, racquetball. Running shoes may not provide the best support for you. The most important thing is comfort and stability. You should choose shoes designed for your playing surface. 

• Comfortable Clothing

• You don’t have to be a fashionista to play pickleball! Wear whatever is comfortable and allows movement. Your wardrobe will depend on whether you are playing indoors or outdoors.

• Pickleball Paddle

• Beginners should look for a paddle that emphasizes control and comfort. Lightweight paddles (under 7.3 oz) are good for beginners because they offer better maneuverability and quicker reactions. Watch for grip size: a smaller grip allows for more wrist action and a larger grip provides stability. Also look for paddle shape. A rectangular paddle offers balance and an elongated paddles provides more reach and power. Some places will let you test a paddle before you purchase. Ask around!

• Stretch

• Don’t forget to do some warmup and cool down stretches!