SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Play a game of paddle tennis or watch from the sidelines.
ABOUT: Paddle Tennis is a game that looks like a cross between ping-pong and tennis. The court looks like a scaled down tennis court and the rules are the same as tennis as well. The racquets resemble large ping pong paddles. It is a great social game in that it is relatively easy to play and boys and girls seem to be equals. However, do not tell any of the local Venice paddle ball contingent this as they take their game very seriously. Several tournaments are held at our local courts throughout the year and local resident Scott Freedman has been considered one of the World’s best for over two decades. Come on down and play! This is something you have to do at least once while visiting Venice.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Anyone. All ages! 11 courts in Venice
ADMISSION FEE: Free to the public. Open play: No fee/reservations. First come basis.
NOTE: Tournament and permits take precedence on courts.
NUMBER OF PADDLE TENNIS COURTS: 11 Regulation size courts.
RACKET RENTAL: $5 per racket (Valid I.D. required) Rackets and tennis balls are available at the Recreation and Parks Office. 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, Ca 90291. 310.399.2775
2014 Paddle Tennis Tournaments:
March 1-2. Marche Doubles
April 5-6. Spring Singles
May. 3-4. Cinco de Mayo.
June 14-15 Venice Beach Singles
For more event info, or paddle tennis racket info and rentals, contact Fred Ealey at Venice Recreation and Parks. 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, CA 90291. 310.399.2775
Additional info:
the court is 50 feet long by 20 feet wide.
uses a deadened regulation tennis ball.
paddles are foam composite or wood.
same scoring as tennis.
faster play with longer rallies than tennis.
underhand serve only, single fault.
doubles or singles
59 year old Sherman Dickinson and Cyrus Joyner (far right)
Photo: Doug Kolker and Daryl Lemon
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PADDLE TENNIS: The strokes, grips, scoring, and strategy of paddle tennis are the same as tennis. The server, however, is allowed only one underhand serve. In singles, the server must allow the return of serve to bounce once before rushing to the net. Also, the official paddle tennis ball is deadened. It is a regular pressurized tennis ball that has its internal pressure reduced by being punctured (with a hypodermic needle). When the ball is dropped from a height of six feet to the court surface, the bounce should be not less than 31 inches (the height of the net), and not more than 33 inches. The regulation court is 50 feet long by 20 feet wide. The same court is used for singles and doubles; there are no doubles alleys. A minimum of 15 feet backspace and ten feet side space is recommended. For more results, upcoming tournaments and to learn about paddle tennis, visit http://www.theuspta.com.
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PADDLE TENNIS WEBSITES:
www.theuspta.com is the official website for the United States Paddle Tennis Association (USPTA). This site has been designed to provide you with up to date information on Paddle Tennis in the United States. You will find information on paddle tennis rules, tournaments, rankings and players, as well as photos and videos of some of the best paddle tennis competitors in the nation. www.theuspta.com.
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FREE PADDLE TENNIS INSTRUCTION BY Sonia Ode Lucci. Contact Recreation and Parks for more information. 310.399.2775. In photo: Sonia Ode Lucc far right! Free lessons sponsored by Wilson.
Call Sonia Delucci if you want to try out some Wilson’s paddles, and get a quick complimentary paddle tennis lesson. (310) 592-1108. [email protected]
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LIST OF ADDITIONAL PADDLE TENNIS INSTRUCTORS: Coming soon
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Let us hear what Paddle Tennis Champion Scotty Freedman has to say about the sport of Paddle Tennis.
Scotty Freedman credentials: Scotty Freedman has played Paddle Tennis for 39 years, and has won the most championships in Paddle Tennis sport’s history. 191 in all, too many to list.
What do I love about paddle tennis: I love the fact that people of all different skill levels and abilities and levels of play can think and understand the game of Paddle Tennis at their respective levels of play exactly like i think and do the game, playing the game at the games top level like i do is entirely different.
Venice beach paddle tennis courts are an eclectic mix of people from all different backgrounds, be it unemployed and hanging at the beach everyday or the richest of the rich in Los Angeles, they all have “ONE COMMON GOAL” they love the game of paddle tennis
www.scottfreedmanpaddletennis.com
www.paddletennis.biz
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Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Courts: 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, CA 90291. | 310.399.2775 | 310.396.6764
