Pickleball

'The expert in anything was once a beginner.' Waterloo Pickleball welcomes all ages and abilities — no membership is required. Connect with other pickleballers in our Facebook group.

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On this page

1. Booking a game
2. Fees
3. Learn to play clinics
4. RIM Park schedule
5. Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex schedule
6. Free games
7. League registration
8. League standings
9. Contact us

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Booking a game

• book online using ActiveWaterloo
• online booking opens 72 hours in advance
• equipment is available for use
• pickleball activities take place at the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex or Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
• review the schedule carefully when booking as it may change

Book a Pickleball time on ActiveWaterloo

Levels of play

Beginner (2.0) Players are new to the sport, have limited knowledge of the game and want to learn in a fun environment. Staff are there to guide as needed with rules, etiquette and gameplay. Novice (2.5) Novice players are starting to understand the basics of pickleball. They are learning: where to stand at the beginning of each point serve in the proper "in" location the two-bounce rule on returns keep score without mistakes keep the ball in play for a few hits aware of a dink shot and working toward this fundamental skill Intermediate (3.0) Intermediate players are moving beyond the basics. They will: know basic rules but may not be aware of higher-level rules position themselves well on the court relative to other players and action some of the time working on consistent serves and returns but may lack depth, power and speed understand why shallow dinks are necessary and are working on consistent execution able to rally 4 dinks in a row with a player of equal ability execute backhand shots add more power or softness to the game as needed Intermediate plus (3.5) The intermediate plus player understands everything in beginner, novice and intermediate levels, and: knows most of the rules and how they affect the game (including net rules, net post issues, kitchen lines, non-volley zone, etc.) knows more scenarios and positions themselves well on the court relative to other players move quickly to the net sustain rallies easily with strategic hits that may miss the mark serves and returns are almost always deep successfully hits third-shot drops some of the time understand not to pop up dinks but can't execute consistently understand hard and soft game and varies shots appropriately work with their partner to win a point Advanced (4.0) Advanced players know the rules and how to play. They also apply strategy well and expect opponents' shots. This player can do the following: hit forehand and backhand with varying speed and control can often finish the point when their opponents give them an opening moderate consistency with drop shots and dink shots starting to understand balls that are attackable and those that should be reset sustain rallies of 20-30 hits without much difficulty almost always plays at the non-volley line and gets there quickly can handle lobs and reset position move as a team with their partner and can cover most of the court be patient and wait for an opening while selectively placing shots Open All skill levels are welcome. It is helpful to understand the rules and the basics of how to play. Family This program is for multigenerational/family play. All skill levels are welcome. It is helpful to understand the rules and the basics of how to play. An adult must accompany children under 14 years of age.

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Fees

This chart outlines single admission costs and multiple visit costs using our FitPass. FitPasses can be purchased online using ActiveWaterloo.

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Learn to play clinics

If you are new to the sport of pickleball and prefer to have some basics before coming out to drop in, we offer clinics. Participants will leave with:

• an understanding of the basic rules of pickleball
• the proper way to hold a paddle
• how to keep score
• how to serve

All participants must pre‐register online on ActiveWaterloo.

Clinics are open for registration. Additional dates will be added based on need and space availability.

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RIM Park schedule

Schedule effective September 5

Game format:

• maximum of 40 players, 4 per court
• players get 1 hour and 20 minutes of continuous play, rotation amongst courts is allowed

Games are played from Monday to Friday.

Monday

• Intermediate: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (52 spots)
• Intermediate: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (28 spots)

Tuesday

• Open: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (52 spots)
• Open: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (28 spots)

Wednesday

• Beginner: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (28 spots in Gyms 1 and 2)
• Advanced: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (28 spots in Gyms 3 and 4)
• Intermediate: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (28 spots)

Thursday

• Open: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (52 spots)
• Intermediate Plus/Advanced: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (28 spots)

Friday

• Intermediate: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m. (52 spots)

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Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex schedule

Schedule effective September 5

Game format:

• maximum of 20 players, 4 per court
• players get 1 hour and 20 minutes of continuous play, rotation amongst courts is allowed

Games are played from Monday to Sunday.

Monday

• Beginner: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m.
• Intermediate: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m.
• Open: 12:00 to 1:20 p.m.

Tuesday

• Novice: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m.
• Intermediate: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m.
• Open: 12:00 to 1:20 p.m.
• Open: 5:00 to 6:20 p.m.

Wednesday

• Intermediate: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m.
• Beginner: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m.

Thursday

• Novice: 9:00 to 10:20 a.m.
• Beginner: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m.
• Open: 12:00 to 1:20 p.m.

Friday

• Open: 7:30 to 8:50 a.m.
• Beginner: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m.

Saturday

• Family: 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (10 spots)
• Family: 12:00 to 1:20 p.m. (10 spots)
• Open: 1:30 to 2:50 p.m.
• Open: 3:00 to 4:20 p.m.

Sunday

• Beginner: 12:30 to 1:50 p.m.
• Novice: 2:00 to 3:20 p.m.
• Intermediate: 3:30 to 4:50 p.m.

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Free games

Thank you to our sponsor, Chartwell Retirement Residences for these complimentary pickleball sessions that are provided to the community at no charge. Register in advance, up to 72 hours prior to the game.

RIM Park

• October 4, 10:30 to 11:50 a.m. (intermediate skill level)

Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex

• November 13, 12:00 to 1:20 p.m. (open to all skill levels)

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League registration

Fall Pickleball Tuesdays – RIM Park (18+)

Register as a team (4 people) or as a free agent. Registration opens June 9.

• games are at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex
• game times are at 9:15 and 10:15 p.m.
• runs September 19 to November 14
• includes 8 weeks of play, three matches a night and no sit time
• Levels of play: Recreational, Intermediate and Advanced

Fall Pickleball Mondays – WMRC (18+)

This league is currently full. To join the waitlist, email CARL@waterloo.ca.

• games are at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
• game times are at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 p.m.
• runs September 18 to December
• includes 12 weeks of play, three matches a night and no sit time
• Levels of play: Recreational, Intermediate and Advanced

Fall Pickleball Tuesdays – WMRC (18+)

This league is currently full. To join the waitlist, email CARL@waterloo.ca.

• games are at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
• game times are at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.
• runs September 19 to December
• includes 12 weeks of play, three matches a night and no sit time
• Levels of play: Recreational, Intermediate and Advanced

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League standings

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Contact us

Join our email list or join our Facebook group for the latest news on pickleball in Waterloo.

To contact City of Waterloo staff regarding Pickleball, email pickleball@waterloo.ca or call 519-884-5363 x17239.

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