Carpinteria Pickleball Community Growth: Pickleball has become a big part of life in Carpinteria, California. Over the past few years, the sport has grown from a small group to hundreds of local players. Today, more than 230 people follow the Carpinteria Pickleball Club online, and many gather to play on shared courts at Carpinteria Middle School and Girls Inc. of Carpinteria.
A Personal Story Sparks a Movement
Carpinteria resident Erick Trigueros discovered pickleball by chance.
“I was riding my bike past Carpinteria Middle School when I heard a clicking sound from the tennis courts. Curious, I stopped and saw a group of women playing a game I’d never seen before. One of them said hello and asked if I played. I replied, ‘I don’t even know what this is.’ She said, ‘Pickleball! Why don’t you get a paddle and join us.’ I went home, Googled ‘pickleball,’ ordered a cheap paddle from Amazon, and two days later, I was playing with those amazing ladies,” Trigueros said.
He soon learned the sport’s popularity was rising everywhere.
“One of pickleball’s greatest appeals is how easy it is to learn and start playing (getting good is another story), and how inclusive it is. That small group of 12 players has now grown to over 150 in Carpinteria in just two and a half years. Nationally, it’s the fastest-growing sport — jumping from four million players in 2020 to an estimated 40 million in 2025, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association,” Trigueros explained.
Where to Learn and Play
Many beginners want to join but struggle to find places to learn.
“Unless you dive in on your own or qualify for the 55+ AgeWell program, opportunities are limited. I now teach the beginner classes for AgeWell. We started last summer with a handful of sign-ups and now have over 50 participants,” Trigueros said.
He recommends starting at Dynamite Pickleball Club in Santa Barbara.
“For beginners, I recommend Dynamite Pickleball Club in Santa Barbara, which offers free intro classes and excellent programming. Paddles and balls are provided. I taught there for several months and highly recommend it. As players improve, I suggest investing in quality shoes and paddles. Carlos Ruiz at Santa Barbara Pickleball Shop is a great resource and even offers AgeWell discounts,” he said.
Trigueros believes pickleball is more than a sport.
“I’m biased, but pickleball is special. It bridges ability, generations, genders, age, races, and socioeconomic levels. Here in Carpinteria, you’ll see 90-year-olds playing competitively with 20-year-olds. People with Parkinson’s, joint replacements, or asthma play alongside athletes at their peak. It’s incredibly social — I’ve made four times as many friends in two years, including players from around the world. Recently, 31 of us traveled to Costa Rica on a pickleball vacation,” he said.
The Push for Permanent Courts
Even with so much excitement, Carpinteria still has no dedicated courts.
“Unfortunately, Carpinteria still has no permanent courts. We play on two temporary courts at the middle school, which are only available after school hours and on weekends. During summer break, they’re more accessible, with AgeWell playing Wednesday and Friday mornings. The demand is high and wait times between games can exceed 20 minutes because of the amount of local players, plus the people from the campgrounds that also play. Many of us now play in neighboring towns like Ojai (which has 11 courts with half our population), Goleta, Montecito, Ventura or Santa Barbara — where I regularly see 10 or more Carpinterians playing on Monday mornings. We’re eager to partner with the city to find a location and help fundraise for permanent courts. We ask the Carpinteria community to support this effort and help express our need to the city council. Dedicated courts would serve not just pickleball players, but the health, wellness and social connection of our entire community,” Trigueros said.
For now, indoor courts at Girls Inc. are open daily from 9 a.m. to noon for $5 per player. Outdoor courts at Carpinteria Middle School are open when school is not in session, except Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-10 a.m. during AgeWell sessions.
News in Brief: Carpinteria Pickleball Community Growth
Carpinteria’s pickleball community has grown fast but still lacks permanent courts. Enthusiasts like Erick Trigueros hope city leaders will help create new places to play, supporting health, social ties, and the growth of the sport for all ages and abilities.
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