The Academy Blog

We all know the physical, mental, and social benefits of pickleball; let's use these benefits to help others.

Because of a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) recently awarded to our Academy, we will be able to bring our First Paddle program to even more youth in 2026!

Annual sponsors are our heroes! Your contributions are so appreciated and make a difference in the work we do in our communities.

In 2025, Southern Pickleball Academy expanded youth pickleball access across Aiken and Edgefield counties, strengthened school partnerships, grew the First Paddle youth program, and hosted the region’s only junior pickleball tournament, Battle of the Paddles. Through clinics, tournaments, and community events, the Academy continued building healthy youth and communities through pickleball.

On Dasher, on Dink-er, on Lob-er and Smash-em! All these and more were at the Reindeer Games Pickleball Tournament at Dink'd Pickleball on Saturday, December 6.

Discover the inspiring First Paddle Success story of Caleb at Southern Pickleball Academy. Join us in supporting more First Paddle Success stories!

Discover how First Paddle Success transformed Weston's life, providing a welcoming alternative to traditional sports. Support more First Paddle success stories today!

It won't be long before these Home-Grown Pickles are giving us Grown-ups a real dill of a time on the court!

Read how the Southern Pickleball Academy is helping schools in the middle of peach country!