Susannah Barr Teaches Pickleball Skills: Professional pickleball player Susannah Barr, known for her dynamic presence both on and off the court, visited the Nitro Pickleball Court on Friday. Her mission was to impart valuable skills and knowledge to local players. Throughout the day, Barr conducted sessions focused on serving, returning serves, and other essential aspects of the game.
“My goal is to help people improve and help build community here at the courts,” Barr explained. “Getting everyone better is half the goal. They’re out here because they want to improve. They want to learn. I love sharing.”
Barr, originally from Boise, Idaho, has achieved significant success in the pickleball world. She holds the title of the No. 1 mixed female player on the Association of Pickleball Players Tour and has amassed over 30 medals, including a super final victory with the Major League Pickleball team Chicago Slice.
The Joy and Strategy of Pickleball
Barr’s passion for pickleball is fueled by the fun and constant improvement the sport offers. “[My love] comes from the fact that it’s so much fun,” Barr said. “That’s the foundation of it. You’re going to go to any pickleball court, and you’re going to hear people laughing, smiling, and having a great time. But on top of that, there’s so much more to pickleball than that. That’s where these students are picking up, is that there’s a lot of strategy.”
Like many pickleball players, Barr transitioned from a tennis background and has been dedicated to pickleball for about seven years. “One of the great things about pickleball is that it’s pretty easy to learn,” she said. “Anybody can pick it up, but it’s hard to master. But tennis players are coming to pickleball because of the fun. It’s accessible. It’s easier to get involved. There’s a great sense of community, and some of that’s lacking in tennis, to some degree.”
Local Enthusiasm and Community Spirit
Dominic Catalano, Barr’s coach and a pickleball commentator, expressed his excitement about teaching local players. “It’s absolutely incredible to come here to West Virginia,” Catalano said. “To be here and see the welcoming that the pickleball community has here is absolutely incredible.”
Barr also felt warmly welcomed by the West Virginia community. “The biggest thing I’ve seen since I arrived here in West Virginia is how welcoming everybody is and how excited everybody is,” she said. “Everybody’s been great. They’ve been paying attention. They’re out here wanting to learn and improve. They’re so excited for pickleball here in West Virginia and here at Nitro. The club’s done a great job.”
Catalano echoed Barr’s sentiments about the sport’s growing popularity. “It’s because of how simple it is to learn,” Catalano said. “The sport is very simple to learn. It’s simple to learn, but it’s hard to master. To play at the level of Susannah and the top pickleball pros is very hard. It’s so easy to play, and anyone can play it… A pickleball court is only about a third of the size of a tennis court.”
Encouraging New Players
Barr has inspired many pickleball players and offers straightforward advice for beginners. She emphasizes the importance of getting a paddle and being brave enough to join in. Barr notes that newcomers would be surprised by how friendly and welcoming people are, encouraging them to go to the park and inform others that they have never played.
“You got to get a paddle and go out there and be brave,” she advised. “You have to put your paddle in line. You would be surprised how friendly people are and how much they want new people to join in. So, go to the park and tell them you’ve never played.”
News in Brief: Susannah Barr Teaches Pickleball Skills
Professional pickleball player Susannah Barr visited Nitro Pickleball Court to teach local players essential skills. Barr, a top-ranked player, conducted sessions on serving and strategy, aiming to build community and improve players’ abilities.
Her coach, Dominic Catalano, praised the welcoming West Virginia community. Barr highlighted pickleball’s fun and strategic elements, noting its accessibility compared to tennis. She encouraged beginners to get involved, emphasizing the sport’s friendly and inclusive nature. Barr’s passion and success, including over 30 medals, inspire players to embrace pickleball’s growing popularity
