PickleballMEXICO
By Javier Regalado
PRESIDENT , LPPM
VIVA PB TOURNAMENTS IN MEXICO : THEY ARE FUN , FUN , FUN !
We have just concluded wrapping up our 2021 National Tournament . We feel it was a great success ! Although there are many areas of opportunities for improving , we accomplished the three main reasons people go to tournaments : having fun , having fun and having fun !! Yes , people also love competing , comparing themselves to other players , being a part of a national ranking , and yes , players love to take the picture on the winners ’ podium .
But really the most important reason people play tournaments is to have fun . That includes meeting new people , playing lots of pickleball in great weather , visiting new places , and having awesome food and drinks . During our tournament , we had a party and even a fashion show ! We aced the fun part .
The venue was a very good choice in getting everyone together . The
Group of Participants from the National Tournament . beauty of the place just made a great relaxed atmosphere , and people really turned into vacation / celebration mode .
We had players from nine countries , with very special recognition to the Associação Brasileira de Pickleball delegation that traveled such a long distance to be a part of this special event . Although its president , Toninho Coelho , couldn ’ t make the trip , they were very well-represented by a group of young , enthusiastic , fun , very friendly and amazing players . Our hearts went back to Brazil with them .
The tournament was a great opportunity for players from other countries to visit tourist attractions nearby . They went to vineyards in the area , and visited the amazing beautiful colonial towns of San Juan del Rio , Peña de Bernal , Tequisquiapan and the largest colonial city in central Mexico , Queretaro .
Of course , there was a lot of pickleball playing . We left open courts all the time for players to practice , warm up , or just get together with other players they have never met before . From our experience in other tournaments , this is very important . Usually all the courts are very busy for the tournament , and players can only play during their scheduled matches . We wanted the tournament to be an opportunity to meet and play with people from all over , a critical ingredient for the fun .
Now , we are looking forward to 2022 . We are planning great , fun tournaments at amazing locations throughout the country . There are four warm-up tournaments ( Tijuana and San Carlos , Sonora , Jan . 15-16 ; Los Cabos , Jan . 22-23 ; and Chapala , Jan . 29-30 ) leading to the big APP tournament in Guadalajara May 5-8 . The APP tournament will be played at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis , an amazing venue with 14 tennis courts that recently hosted the finals of the WTA ( Women ’ s Tennis Association ). It has two incredible stadiums with capacity of 2,500 and 5,000 spectators respectively .
The city of Guadalajara is the second largest , and probably the most beautiful , city of Mexico . It ’ s a perfect tourist destination . It has great weather year-round and a wide variety of hotels , restaurants , and sightseeing locations . The town of Tequila is very close , just like Tlaquepaque and Tonala .
Guadalajara holds one of the largest expat populations in Mexico . People from the U . S ., Canada , Europe and South America make the city and surroundings their place of residence . Guadalajara has a topquality international airport with direct flights from many cities in the U . S ., Canada and Europe .
So , if you want to have serious fun , fun , fun and play lots of pickleball while visiting amazing places , come join us down here . We will be honored to host you . Nos vemos pronto amigos ! If you would like any information please write to me at
javier . regalado @ lppm . mx . •