Your Voice Matters: Shaping the 2024 Dinkville Calendar!
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Dear Dinkville Community,
We hope this message finds you in high spirits and anticipation for the upcoming events with Dinkville. As we embark on the journey to shape the 2024 calendar, we're eager to hear your valuable opinions on tournaments and flex leagues.
Tournaments: We're considering the frequency of tournaments and would love to know your preference. Are you inclined towards having a monthly pickleball tournament, creating a more frequent adrenaline rush? Or do you lean towards a bi-monthly schedule, allowing for a more extended build-up and anticipation?
Flex Leagues: In addition to tournaments, we're exploring the idea of flex leagues. What are your thoughts on having flex leagues every month, ensuring a consistent flow of competitive play? Alternatively, would you prefer seasonal flex leagues, aligning with the changing seasons – spring, summer, fall, winter?
Your insights are essential in tailoring the 2024 calendar to meet the desires of our dynamic community. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, your feedback will contribute to creating an experience that resonates with everyone.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts by clicking HERE for a quick 2 question survey!
If you prefer a more interactive discussion, reply to this email or give me a call as I'd love to connect with you. Together, let's build a calendar that reflects the diverse preferences and aspirations of the fantastic Dinkville community.
Thank you for being an integral part of this collaborative journey. I look forward to hearing from you and crafting a calendar that ensures 2024 is an extraordinary year for pickleball in Dinkville!
Upcoming Tournaments in Middle Tennessee
C2 St. Patty's Invitational- March 16th, Men's Women's, and Mixed. $500 cash prize to 4.5+ Division Winners. Limited space Available so sign up today HERE
Nashville Young Life Tournament- Register here for the inaugural Nashville Young Life Pickleball Tournament at Lipscomb Racquet Club on Saturday, May 11th! Young Life is an outreach ministry for high schoolers, middle schoolers, parenting teens, and friends with disabilities in Nashville. All proceeds directly benefit ministry in Central and Southeast Nashville, so that Young Life leaders can continue showing up in the lives of our high school friends.
- Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles are available for all skill levels.
- $75/player - pool play followed by single elimination (minimum of 4 games)
- Registration closes on May 8th - get your spot today!
- Sign Up HERE
Dinkville Members Get Silver in Kentucky Tournament
Dinkville members John Bartow and John O'Brien placed Silver in the Men's 50+ 4.5 division at the 2nd Annual Rivertown Pickleball Tournament in Owensboro, KY. Both Bartow and O'Brien are in their 60's so this was very tough division to compete in and came out strong with a Silver! Excellent work guys!
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Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink
How to Respond to Perfection
Every once in a while, someone will lay it on you, the perfect drop. The ball floats toward you, just out of reach in the air but still nearly lands on your shoelaces.
You're forced to awkwardly play it on the short hop or as a volley from your ankles. You're caught in a vulnerable position but still want to maintain an advantage in the point by keeping your opponent back.
Well, guess what, it's too late. Your court position advantage is gone. Unless of course, your opponent stopped at the bathroom on their way to the kitchen.
Selkirk Coach Mark Price explains how to respond to the perfect drop in a new video.
What you should do: Price suggests you dink the ball cross-court and shallow. Sending the ball cross-court gives the player in front of you less chance to jump on a high ball or poach.
What you should avoid: Don’t try to hit a shot deep into the court. You're at risk of the other team closing in on a high ball if you try to put the ball too deep in the court.
This decision allows your opponent to easily reach the kitchen line but it keeps you safe from a potentially point-ending mistake. It happens often at higher levels and is also known as conceding the kitchen.
But you don't always have to settle.
Although one drop might have been perfect, it doesn't mean the next one will be. Here are two adjustments you can use to make their next drop look a little less perfect.
Pickleball Theft Caught on Tape
Call the cops. Call the FBI. Call the National Guard. There is a new crime spree targeting pickleball shops in Colorado.
Family-owned, Game Set Match is a tennis and pickleball retailer with three locations in the Denver area. According to a recent news story, all three locations have been hit by the theft spree.
Security cameras caught two separate groups of people concealing paddles in their clothing and exiting the store. The store owner estimates the total value stolen to be a staggering $20,000 - $30,000.
As a precaution, paddles have been placed closer to the register where employees can keep a more watchful eye on the goods.
While the temptation to get your mitts on a new top-of-the-line paddle might be high, don’t resort to shoplifting. Get free paddles for life through our newsletter referral program, just copy and share your unique link from the bottom of the page to start earning rewards.
Next Gen Stars Shine in San Antonio
The APP wrapped up their first NEXT GEN event last weekend in San Antonio. Players aged 16-23 competed to be the individual points leader of the weekend following singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
In the men’s competition, Richard Livornese squeezed out the win by only ten points over second-place finisher and his men’s doubles partner Jack Munro.
Brooke Revuelta had a breakout weekend on the women’s side. She took the mixed doubles title with the help of partner Jackson Ayotte. Her second gold came on Sunday with a close women’s singles final against Riley Bohnert.
You can catch the Next Gen in action again this summer. Their next event is July 18-21 in St. Louis.
Pickleball in the French Riviera?
Imagine soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the French Riviera, sharing laughs with new friends as you warm up for epic morning rallies on the courts of Nice, France. This can be your reality, fellow dinkers.
From May 6 - 11, 2024, elevate your pickleball skills with Nike's Director of Pickleball, then unwind with local wines and seaside strolls. Pickleball de France's retreat offers a serious pickleball camp (levels 3.0 - 4.0 are welcome) combined with a cultural dive into the breathtaking Mediterranean lifestyle.
Get a sneak peek of the action, check out the curriculum, and explore planned activities (hint: rosé tastings and Monte Carlo outings included). Spots have almost filled up—join players from around the world and reserve yours now. Click for details.
Pickleball After-Party in Phoenix
Have you ever seen a gorilla play pickleball? Okay, we’re still not ready for that Planet of the Apes movie. But last week, the Phoenix Suns iconic gorilla mascot hit the court with a contingency of Suns fans.
February 14th was Pickleball Night in AZ as the Suns took on the Detroit Pistons. Fans who purchased promotional tickets received a free Suns pickleball paddle and were able to play a little pickle on the court after the game.
While fans were able to mix it up with the gorilla, Suns superstar forward and pickleball aficionado Kevin Durant was unavailable to challenge after the game. Check out KD’s early attempts at playing pickle here.
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Thanks,
Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO