Pickleball Magazine 4-3 | Page 88

PICKLEBALL UNIVERSITY ave you ever asked yourself, “What is USAPA Pickleball University all about? Is this something that I might want to attend?” This will give you a brief overview and an idea of what it’s like to go back to school. It’s not what you may remember about your days spent studying, worrying about if you will pass or fail or simply whether the teacher likes you. USAPA Pickleball University is nothing like that at all. It’s about pickleball, meeting new friends, learning new skills to improve your pickleball game, and the most important thing, it’s pure FUN! It all starts with a “meet and greet” welcoming party where you’ll be introduced to the instructors and socialize with other enthusiastic pickleball players who have decided to go back to school with you – incoming freshmen, if you will. People come from all over the country and are eager to share many pickleball stories from their local communities. Each night everyone gathers for dinner, students (players), pro instructors and USAPA Board Members, for great food and beverages. There are two full days of instruction where groups are divided into eight students and one instructor based on skill level. For the next two days, students are on the pickleball courts learning new skills and techniques to help improve their 86 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM game. The students will also be challenged to use and demonstrate the new skills they learned along with new drills, which will ultimately improve their game. Then comes the fun stuff. Students get to apply all those new skills in exhibition game-like settings against their fellow students and, of course, the pro instructors jump into the action to make it even more challenging. One of the key and unique qualities that make your USAPA Pickleball University special is that some of the finest coaches and instructors from across the country are selected to help you improve your game. This differs from many other clinics that only have one instructor, and for many of us, we all learn and relate to instructors differently. So, with six instructors, your experience at USAPA Pickleball University will be much more productive and beneficial to your growth as a player. The last night at the university is the graduation ceremony and the highly popular instructor pickleball challenge. This has become a very exciting event and a highlight of USAPA Pickleball University. As is customary with most graduations, it’s complete with all the excitement that comes with beginning a new chapter in life and yes, diplomas are handed out for all the graduating students. So, if you enjoy playing the great sport of pickleball, want to meet new friends and improve your game, then USAPA Pickleball University is your ticket. Be on the lookout for more of these universities coming your way in 2020. Sign up early because USAPA Pickleball Universities fill up very fast and can only accommodate 48 students. If you should have any questions, please email [email protected]. •