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.

She had a sparkle in her eye that was present when speaking about family, her interactions with her grandchildren, introducing and teaching pickleball to anyone, and when giving assistance to various charities by offering her time, teachings, and artistic contributions.

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!

See what happens when kids get great pickleball instruction mixed with solid life lessons - First Paddle success!

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

Pickleball.com now offers parent-managed accounts for kids under 17! Learn how families can safely register young players for pickleball tournaments, lessons, and ratings while maintaining full parental control and oversight.

Southern Pickleball Academy welcomes Paul Turner to our Board of Directors. A talented pickleball player and lifelong athlete, Paul brings decades of business leadership, nonprofit service, and passion for helping under-resourced youth to support our mission of growing the game of pickleball and empowering young players.

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

We're thrilled to announce that Southern Pickleball Academy has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar – the highest level of recognition available and a distinction held by only a small percentage of nonprofits nationwide.

The Southern Pickleball Academy's Battle of the Paddles youth pickleball tournament was a great way to give a real tournament experience to our kids, hooking them on this sport.

Who knew that it could be so much fun to earn a scholarship? Yet that's just what Carson Colmer, a senior at Aiken High School, has done!

Imagine a room full of curious kids, digital scales, sound level recorders, and an array of pickleball equipment.

Sometimes all it takes is one person: one person with a passion, an idea, and the drive to make things happen.

Listen in to "What's Shakin' in Aiken" with Brian Katonak & Beth Eberhard as they discuss the hugely positive impact of pickleball in Aiken.

The Second Annual Reindeer Games pickleball tournament was nothing short of spectacular!