Pickleball is a fast-paced, addictive racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, players use paddles and a plastic ball to volley and serve. It’s easy to learn, social and fun for all ages, making it a perfect activity for friends and families to enjoy together.
The origin of pickleball is attributed to three fathers, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who created the game to entertain their children in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. They combined elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong to create a game for their families. The Pritchard family and their friends were avid competitive rowers and gave their new game a name which came from the sport of competitive team rowing. The name “pickleball” came from the term “pickle boat,” which refers to a boat in a rowing race that’s made up of leftover or mixed crew members. This term fit the mixed nature of the sports that pickleball combines.
With its growing popularity, pickleball has become a great way to stay active, meet new people and have a blast on the court!
To play pickleball you need:
- a pickleball paddle,
- pickleball-specific shoes or good court shoes designed for tennis and other outdoor racquet sports; these court shoes are designed with superior lateral stability – movement common in pickleball.
- eye protection (regular eyeglasses can serve this function but there are many varieties of eye protection available that are designed specifically for pickleball and other racquet sports. Although not required eye protection is strongly advised as eye injuries are not uncommon in this sport.
- comfortable clothing that is weather-appropriate and suitable for vigorous physical movement.
Pickleball is played indoors or outdoors on a court that is the same size as a badminton court with a modified badminton net, uses a whiffle ball that players hit with a ping-pong-like paddle and is played as a “singles” (2 players) or as a “doubles” (4 players/2 teams) game. Games are played to 11 and the rules are not like tennis, badminton, ping-pong or any other racquet sport.
The expression, “One picture is worth a thousand words” certainly applies to pickleball; trying to explain how to play without using pictures or other visuals ends up with the listener’s eyes glazing over and asking you to repeat yourself, more than once! So, cue up this video and watch as Kyle Koszuta explains how to play pickleball. There is a lot of information provided in a short clip so buckle-up! Watching this video prior to stepping onto the court will be helpful and after giving pickleball a “go” a few times – come back to this video and re-watch it once you have hit a few balls and picked up a few bits of knowledge from your initial outings.
There are two ways to play pickleball at LHPC; play as a Member or as a Guest.
1. Play as a Member: Purchase a LHPC Individual or Family Membership. Memberships are valid for the calendar year and the outdoor pickleball season runs from April/May – October/November (weather dependent).
INDIVIDUAL: $75 Individual membership fee + $4.80 processing fee + $16.42 Pickleball Canada Insurance (required) = $96.22
FAMILY: $125 Family membership fee + $7.62 processing fee + $16.42 Pickleball Canada Insurance/PER PERSON (required) = $198.30 (for a family of 4 for example)
To purchase a LHPC Membership please visit this link, click the black “Join/Renew” button at the top left of your screen and follow the prompts. If you have any difficulties or challenges making your purchase, please contact Colin Ross, Membership Services at cdross56@icloud.com.
2. Play as a Guest: Non-members of LHPC can play at the Little Harbour courts when they do all of the following:
- Be invited to play as guest(s) of a current LHPC Member (the Guest’s Sponsor) that is also playing on the same day/time slot,
- Sign up on Playtime Scheduler for the desired play slot,
- Complete the waiver/Guest registration envelope and form properly,
- Include their $5.00 Drop-in Fee (per Guest) with their properly-completed Guest Waiver and Guest registration envelope in the designated drop box.
NOTE: All these requirements are to be met prior to a Guest entering the LHPC pickleball courts. All Guests that visit our LHPC courts are invited to consider purchasing a LHPC Membership if they intend on playing more than twice each year at the LHPC courts (this is for insurance purposes).
Getting a great start to playing pickleball will make playing more enjoyable at the beginning of your learning journey and as you continue to play and improve in your skill level, over time. Everyone learns in different ways but there are books, YouTube instructional videos and other resources online and in your local library to help you get started. The LHPC also offers the LHPC Mentorship Program and the LHPC Skill Development Clinics. Here is a bit of information about both of these LHPC programs.
LHPC Mentorship Program: We are launching the LHPC Mentorship Program this year (2025) expressly for brand new or inexperienced players who are looking for a little guidance, friendly instruction and planned opportunities to learn the basic skills necessary for playing pickleball. This program matches experienced volunteer LHPC players that want to welcome new LHPC Members by joining them in one-on-one or small group learning sessions at the LHPC courts. There is no cost for this program.
LHPC Skill Development Clinics: Another great way to improve your game and pick up new skills is to take advantage of skill-development events offered each season exclusively fort LHPC Members! Become a LHPC Member and receive regular notices about LHPC skill development clinics as well as tournaments and social events.
For more information about the Mentorship program or upcoming Skill Development Clinics please contact Allan Keefe, LHPC Development Chair via email at johnakeefe@outlook.com.
LHPC Courts are open from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm to Members & accompanied Guests, weather permitting. Court lights are to be turned off at 9:30 pm
* The LHPC 2025 Schedule offers 49 play slots each week
31 (yellow) are Open Sessions for any/all skill levels
4 (blue) are 2.0 – 2.5 Introductory/Novice Player Sessions
4 (light green) are 3.25+ Advanced Skill Player Sessions
5 (dark green) are weekly Program Activity Sessions (for Members only)
5 (orange) are Drill/Practice Sessions
- Member Access – there are locks sharing the same access code on all 3 gates and the washroom. This code is mailed to all Members each year and may be changed from time to time, as required. DO NOT SHARE THIS CODE WITH ANY NON-LHPC MEMBERS. Please ensure that all gates and the washroom door are securely closed/locked when leaving if there are no others present.
- Our 2025 Schedule provides an at-a-glance range of options for a wide variety of session options and special Weekly Program Activities. You will find the 2025 LHPC Schedule here.
To sign up for a play session (usually 2 hours long) you need to pick an appropriate time slot on the LHPC 2025 Weekly Schedule and sign up for that particular session using Playtime Scheduler; an app designed for this purpose. You will find the LHPC 2025 Weekly Schedule AND the link to get Playtime Scheduler here .
Once you have decided on the day, time and type of Session that you believe would best suit your skill level use your new membership with Playtime Scheduler to book into that Session. You may choose to check Playtime Scheduler prior to heading out for your scheduled play session to see how many people have also signed up for the same session as well as learning who else is attending.
You do not have to have come with other people if you want to play pickleball at LHPC. You can sign up to play in any session that suits your skill level, come alone, and join in with other Members that have signed up for the same day and time that you did. Player selection and game rotations are based on different rotation systems that are chosen court-side based on numbers playing and the rotation system preference of the group playing in that particular session/time slot.
Of course, bring other Members or Guests if you like but understand that we do not have private courts or court bookings for groups so, when you come to LHPC to play pickleball you will be joining in a Player/Game rotation system that involves all players signed up for a particular Time Slot and, you will be potentially playing against any other/all other Players also signed up for the same Time Slot; you will not be able to play exclusively with your friend group unless there are few other players signed up for your time slot and there is an open court for your group to use unless/until more people come to play in the same time slot.
Please remember that any/all Guests and their Member Sponsor (you) must fill out a Guest Waiver, Guest Envelope, sign up on Playtime Scheduler, and deposit a $5.00 Drop-in Fee with their registration envelope/form prior to entering the courts.
Many people find playing pickleball more fun when they are playing with others that are of a similar skill level as games are more evenly matched.
To rate your skill level take a look at the Pickleball Canada-provided Self-Assessment chart and evaluate your skill level for each skill element listed. With your self-assessed skill level you can now sign up on Playtime Scheduler for Open Sessions with your skill rating listed beside your name and use this rating for any recreational play, special events or tournaments requiring a skill rating.
If you are uncertain about using the Pickleball self-rating sheets on your own and want a bit of help, feel free to contact LHPC Membership Services Chair, Colin Ross, at cdross56@icloud.com for support.
Pickleball is a game that has its genesis in good-natured fun; as opposed to providing an athletic forum for elite athletes to demonstrate their skill & prowess. That is not to say, however, since its invention in the Pacific Northwest of the USA in 1965, that pickleball has not changed but, it still is a sport that has a large membership that enjoy the benefits of playing – fun, fitness and friendships. Knowing and following generally accepted pickleball etiquette and rules helps everyone maximize their enjoyment at the courts. Following are some of the most important etiquette guidelines for all to know and follow.
- Good sportsmanship is the rule, Respect all players. Verbal or emotional outbursts, rude behaviour have no place on the pickleball court and will not be tolerated.
- Begin each game by acknowledging the other players and unless all players know each other – share introductions all around.
- If the ball is “out” and it is on your side of the net – you or your partner need to call it “out” good and loud. If it’s close – give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent(s). If you and your partner cannot agree on the call, the call should favour your opponents.
- If you step into the Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) when hitting a volley or if your partner does – call “Kitchen Fault” good and loud.
- If you are a skilled player playing with less-skilled players – consider adjusting your game so that all players have an enjoyable experience/fun game.
- Never leave a game without acknowledging and thanking the other team/players/tapping paddles is customary.
- If you arrive early and there are empty courts feel free to warm up. If you do start a game(s) before your scheduled start time please be mindful of player arriving closer to the scheduled start time and include them in the rotation system chosen for that play session as soon as possible so that they are not kept waiting for your game to finish.
- All players should be given a chance to warmup prior to play. Even if the warmup is short, please ensure all have an opportunity. It leads to safer play and fewer injuries.
- Please make all effort to arrive early enough to ensure the court is swept and dry (brooms and squeegees are inside the court hanging on the fence), you have time to change into your court-only shoes/gear, collaboratively determine the rotation system to be used with all players present ideally, and warmup. Coming late can negatively affect the rotation system and everyone’s game(s). This can affect the tone of the entire session so please arrive early enough and let others know when you arrive if you intend to leave early.
- Bring your own equipment (although at LHPC outdoor balls are provided through Membership fees as a service to Members).
- During social play and playing against a team where one player is weaker than the other, do not consistently hit the ball to the weaker player.
- Each server must call the score properly and loudly prior to serving; not while serving but – prior to serving.
- When returning a “dead” ball, pick it up and hit it to the next Server (The next Server is to raise their hand to indicate who the ball is to go to.)
- Cancel your participation in any Playtime Scheduler-booked play session as soon as possible so that other Members can book in to play in the slot you were occupying. The sooner the better.
There are specific practices you can follow that will make your pickleball play as safe and injury-free as possible. Here are a list of some of these…
- For insurance reasons all players at LHPC must be members of Pickleball Canada/Pickleball Nova Scotia OR sign the LHPC Waiver and Registration Procedures available court-side AND sign up on Playtime Scheduler for a specific Play Session before entering the pickleball courts.
- All players must wear clean, pickleball or other court shoes (recommended for the lateral support and safety they provide).
- Ensure that playing pickleball is something that is safe for you to do; consider consulting your physician if you are unsure.
- Use the gate closest to your chosen or assigned court to avoid walking through other courts where players are actively playing. Not only is this safer for you and the other players but it is more considerate as you won’t be interrupting their game.
- If you must walk behind players playing on a court, wait for a stoppage in play and get their attention and permission to pass through. Move quickly so you don’t hold up their game.
- Never chase a ball onto another court; instead yell out “BALL!” loudly so that everyone hears and can immediately cease play until the wayward ball is returned.
- Suspend play if the court becomes wet for any reason. Do not resume play until the court is dry.
- Running backward to get a shot is dangerous and considered unsafe in pickleball. Instead, turn and run back quickly to where you think the ball will bounce and then turn to face the ball and make your shot. With practice, this manoeuvre can be done extremely quickly and much more safely. DO NOT RUN BACKWARD TO GET TO A BALL/MAKE A SHOT.
- Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Nova Scotia both recommend wearing eye protection as eye injuries are not uncommon.
- Gentle warm-up including stretching before and after playing pickleball or having a drill session is highly recommended to avoid injury.
- Know your physical limits and play within these.
- Communicate with your partner and know where they are on the court at all times.
- Stay hydrated and consider wearing sun protection (spf clothing &/or sunscreen/hat, sunglasses, etc)
- Learn how to use the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in case someone at the courts has a cardiac event requiring emergency intervention. The LHPC AED is located either court-side at the Registration and Information Kiosk OR in the Pickleball Washroom at the back corner of the Community Centre building (same code as the gates to the courts to open this washroom).
You can expect:
- Friendly people looking for fun, fitness and friendship through play!
- Clean, safe, well-lit and well-maintained facilities with the necessary equipment available to foster safe, fun play during the regular playing season (May to October)/
- Clear operating policies and procedures
- Regular newsletters, updates and special announcements via your personal email and also via our LHPC Facebook Group.
- Preferred time slots via Playtime Scheduler.
- A regular Pickleball Season Schedule posted on this LHPC webpage. This schedule provides lots of daily Open Play sessions for all skill levels, weekly Program Activities (like Ladies’ Nite, Men’s Nite, Partner Play Nite and Dink’n’Dine), and room for Skill Development Clinics, Tournaments, Pub Nights and other special events that will be announced throughout the 2025 season.
- An LHPC Executive made up of fellow LHPC Members volunteering to continue to make our LHPC a vital and exciting place to play pickleball, have a blast and meet a wonderful community of active people!
All members of LHPC are expected to:
- Demonstrate respect for other players and our LHPC courts and the Little Harbour Community Centre and grounds.
- Know and follow all LHPC Etiquette Guidelines & the LHPC Code of Conduct
- Use Playtime Scheduler every time you book in to play and follow the Playtime Scheduler Code of Conduct (see their site for more information about this Code of Conduct).
- REFRAIN from using Playtime Scheduler messaging option to make general comments, lodge complaints, engage in discussion with other LHPC Members (use private platforms for private conversations please) or for anything other than necessary communication about your participation in a particular session (i.e. you have to cancel, that you will be arriving late or leaving early).
- If you have a problem or concern please Contact via email or phone any member of your LHPC Executive or contact Colin Ross, Membership Chair at cdross56@icloud.com to lodge a complaint, make a suggestion or ask a question/provide feedback to the LHPC Executive about any issue(s) or matter of concern.
- Follow the newly revised Guest Procedures that require both Guest and LHPC Member sponsor to sign the Insurance Waiver (if Guest is NOT a Pickleball Canada Member already) and the Registration Envelope properly; which includes the $5.00/session drop-in fee. All required forms/envelopes and the drop box are at the Information Kiosk court-side.
- Follow all of the LHPC Safety Guidelines and report any all injuries using the LHPC Incident Report found court-side at the Information Kiosk. To make an insurance claim if injured while playing pickleball at LHPC or at another location – please use the Pickleball Canada forms for insurance claims made to IA Financial Group (Pickleball Canada’s Insurance carrier) found at this link. Note that all claims must be filed within 90 days of an accident.
Yes we do! We have formed a relationship with local business WearWell Factory Outlet in Stellarton to offer quality sportswear and gear that comes with the attractive Little Harbour Pickleball Club embroidered logo. Visit WearWell’s Little Harbour Pickleball Club Virtual Store at this link and enter the password “Store4190” to browse all the LHPC merch you will want for yourself or as unique gifts for friends and family members! Order directly from WearWell online and have your order shipped to you or pick it up at their Factory Outlet in Stellarton.
The LHPC Code of Conduct was drafted to clearly frame and outline guidelines for promoting good sportsmanship and exemplary, respectful behaviour between all LHPC Members and Guests.
LHPC CODE OF CONDUCT – Revised January 2025
While the mission of the Little Harbour Pickleball Club is to promote the growth and development of pickleball, the long-tern success of the sport requires that our players embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Therefore, in order to achieve our mission, it is essential that LHPC Members and volunteers display respect and self-control, model good behaviour and ultimately lead by example.
Every person (Members and their Guests) involved in the sport of pickleball at the LHPC agrees to:
- Engage in sportsmanlike conduct and encourage others to do so.
- Engage in behaviour that promotes the health and safety of others.
- Treat others with respect and exhibit fairness, honesty and self-control in my dealings with others.
- Refrain from the use of profanity.
- Refrain from unacceptable behaviour.
- Treat the facility and equipment with respect. (Keep play areas clean and free from garbage, personal items, etc.).
- Understand that pickleball plan and set-up may vary from pickleball facility to facility. Therefore, I will respect the formats and rotation systems offered or recommended regardless and understand that these decisions are made to best fit the needs of the entire LHPC Membership, as understood by the LHPC Executive.
