Coming Soon to a Court Near You: FIRST PADDLE LEVEL 2: SKILL BUILDERS and FIRST PADDLE LEVEL 1: NOVICE

You asked for it--here it is! Our second level of First Paddle will be taught by Perry Wong and Caitlin Barry at the St. John's Methodist gym in downtown Aiken the first week of Aiken's Fall Break: September 28-October 2, 2026.

The Skill Builders level of the First Paddle program is an intermediate course designed to strengthen fundamental pickleball skills while introducing strategic gameplay elements. Participants refine dinking consistency, serving accuracy, third-shot execution, volleys, and overheads through structured drills and match scenarios. Emphasizing resilience, teamwork, and court awareness, players learn to make tactical decisions and transition effectively between baseline and net play.

To participate in this program, youth should have successfully completed FP1 or have equivalent pickleball experience. They should also

• understand basic rules and scoring,

• be able to serve and return the ball,

• demonstrate basic forehand and backhand ground strokes and volleys, and

• sustain a short rally.

Those those not quite ready for this second level, stay tuned! We'll be holding a First Paddle 1: Novice right before Thanksgiving, also taught by Perry Wong and Caitlin Barry.

Questions? Email Caitlin.Barry@southernpickleballacademy.org

FP2 Registration: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/first-paddle-fall--2026

FP1 Registration: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/first-paddle-thanksgiving-2026-level--1