Pickleball Beginner Experience Los Angeles: Deborah Lew, Managing Editor at the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), recently took her first pickleball class at PowerPlay Pickleball in Los Angeles. With encouragement from friends and colleagues, she joined a free beginner session on a Saturday morning to experience the fast-growing sport for herself.
Deborah, who had never played pickleball before, joined the class with her cousin Tracey and friend Alex. The trio, all new to the game, took their first lesson under instructor Kelley, whom Deborah had met earlier at the APP Newport Beach tournament. The indoor facility had six people in total for the session and provided equipment for those who needed it.
From Curious to Confident
Deborah decided to learn pickleball after two years of covering the sport as a journalist. A comment from someone calling her a “fraud” for not playing inspired her to give it a try. Her growing interest was fueled by watching matches, wanting a fun way to stay fit, and hearing from APP professional Max Manthou, who once told her, “My number of friends was about to multiply exponentially.”
She took her first class at PowerPlay Pickleball, a new facility located just ten minutes from her home. The venue has nine indoor courts and plans to add 21 outdoor courts. Owner Steve gave Deborah a tour and suggested she start with the free Intro to Pickleball class.
Learning the Basics
The one-hour class focused on three main shots: serves, returns, and dinks. Deborah noted how quickly the time passed and how clear Kelley’s teaching was. She had always struggled with racquet sports but found success in this new game.
“I was ecstatic and relieved to see that this was not the case with pickleball,” said Deborah. “This former figure skater was actually able to make contact with the pickleball!”
She admitted to occasionally admiring her own shots instead of staying ready, but she was happy with her progress. She also learned about the bounce serve, which isn’t commonly seen in pro matches but is useful for beginners.
Group Progress
Deborah wasn’t the only one gaining confidence. One woman in the class struggled at first and missed every ball. But by the second half, she was serving and joining rallies with the group.
“My biggest takeaway from this class was that all the people who previously told me that pickleball has a low barrier for entry were correct,” Deborah shared.
Her cousin Tracey, who also lacked hand-eye coordination, was able to serve, rally, and follow the scoring rules. Alex, a former tennis player, had strong shots but needed time to adjust to the differences between tennis and pickleball.
What Comes Next
After the class, Deborah, Tracey, and Alex stayed back to practice more. They had fun, got a good workout, and doubled their Apple Watch move goals. Deborah isn’t sure what their next step will be, but they’re excited to return.
“Intro to Pickleball class – check! It was a great, fun workout with friends,” she said. “We are looking forward to going back, but not sure what our next step is because we still feel like beginners but aren’t allowed to take that same class again.”
Despite the post-lesson soreness, Deborah looks forward to continuing her journey in pickleball.
News in Brief: Pickleball Beginner Experience Los Angeles
Deborah Lew, APP Managing Editor, took her first pickleball class at PowerPlay Pickleball in Los Angeles with friends. Guided by coach Kelley, the class taught beginner skills in a fun and supportive environment. The session proved that pickleball is easy to learn and a great way to meet people and stay active.
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