San Carlos Pickleball Club July Newsletter ✨
Look how far we’ve come!
The Club in July 2022
The Club in July 2026
Investing in our Future
One of the most exciting milestones in SCPC’s history is now complete—all 14 courts have been professionally resurfaced!
The transformation has been incredible. Not only do the courts look fantastic, but they also provide a more consistent, enjoyable playing surface for everyone. Our goal is for this resurfacing to serve our membership well for approximately three years before another full resurfacing is needed. Between major resurfacing projects, we anticipate periodic maintenance every 12 to 18 months to help maximize the life of the courts. Keeping our courts in excellent condition requires much more than resurfacing alone. Regular blowing, washing, cleaning, crack repair, and preventative maintenance are all essential if we want to protect this investment and keep our courts playing their best. These ongoing efforts require both volunteer time and financial resources.
This project would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of Gary and Tibby Levinson. As they have done so many times over the years, Gary and Tibby stepped forward to fund a significant portion of this resurfacing project. Their vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have helped create one of the premier pickleball facilities in the region, and we are deeply grateful for everything they have done for SCPC and our community.
Many members will remember that sponsorships were sold several years ago to help support our courts. Those funds were used to expand and develop our facilities, leaving no reserve available for this resurfacing project. While those investments helped create the beautiful club we enjoy today, they also highlighted the importance of planning ahead for future maintenance.
Moving forward, our goal is to build a dedicated reserve fund so that future court maintenance and resurfacing can be funded responsibly over time, rather than relying on generous donations or special fundraising efforts. By setting aside a portion of our annual operating revenue each year, we can ensure that SCPC remains financially sustainable while continuing to provide outstanding courts for our members and guests.
To support this long-term plan, the Board has approved updated membership dues, effective July 1, 2026. Our rates have remained unchanged for several years despite steadily increasing costs for maintenance, utilities, equipment, supplies, court care, and resurfacing.
New Membership Dues (Effective July 1, 2026):
- Daily Pass: $250
- Weekly Pass: $1,250
- Monthly Pass: $2,500
- Annual Membership: $6,250
These updated rates represent an investment in the future of SCPC. They will allow us to properly maintain our facilities, build reserves for future court maintenance and resurfacing, and continue providing the high-quality playing experience our members have come to expect.
On behalf of the SCPC Board and Management Team, thank you to Gary and Tibby Levinson for their incredible generosity, and thank you to every member, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter who continues to help make SCPC such a special place.
Together, we’re building something that will last and continue making San Carlos the pickleball capital of Latin America.
Gary Levinson – SCPC President’s Message
My Message to SC Pickleball Membership
As you all can see with the beautifully resurfaced courts, San Carlos Pickleball Club (SCPC) is “Gearing Up” for the coming season. Amazing for a Non-Profit funded only by Membership and Donations to be the talk of Latin American PB. For those who are relatively new to San Carlos, The SCPC went from only playing on a couple of private courts or on a very few HOAs, to our Mirador courts. Mirador, where a very few PB visionaries turned two dilapidated tennis courts into 6 wonderful PB courts. The only problem was that we rapidly outgrew Mirador. The proverbial fuse they lit exploded PB bringing us to our wonderful present courts.
Over the last 3-4 years the SCPC facility has steadily grown and improved. If you have been coming during this time I ask you to think back at the many changes. We are excited that the coming season anticipates the completion of our front wall and beautifying the entry.
The facility is wonderful, but what is even more magnificent is the “Community” in which we all participate. This is International, bringing together Mexico, Canada, US, Germany, Netherlands and others. If you don’t see a lot of the Mexican players during the day, come in the evening. You will appreciate the level of play then, as their daytime still requires devotion to their jobs.
Finally, we appreciate all who choose SCPC and purchase memberships whether daily, weekly, monthly or annual. SCPC operates all 12 months and expenses continue during the “quiet” times of the year also. If SCPC and our Community is an important part of your life, I am here to encourage you in the following ways:
– up your membership to the next level beyond the actual time you will spend with us. This will help insure your next seasons visit is even better
– we would love to add your name with a plaque on our Donor Wall. You see it on the wall by the restrooms. There for all to see that you participate in more than just on the courts.
-there are court sponsorships available up to and including buying one of the courts. Yes, it is costly, but we can show you how you can make your donation tax deductible.
-to those who pay US taxes, there is a 501(C)(3) FEIN 87-4702824 approved by the IRS in 2022 as San Carlos Pickleball Club, International, Inc. (SCPC, Intnl). In that IRS approval, it was disclosed that we would “make grants, loans, or other distributions to San Carlos Pickleball Club, AC, a non-profit set up under the laws of Mexico”. This makes your donation tax deductible the same as any other US appropriate donation. (Note, this does not include your dues since you receive value, only that which exceeds what you pay in dues to play).
Finally, SCPC is helping to change lives. Ours, who participate for our health, mental and physical, Ex Pats coming together with the Mexican citizenry in friendly cross-cultural competition. We also have programs including the youth from Ranchitos, La Manga, and Ancla de Amor Orphanage. You can only imagine how important that is to these kids. Come sometime and see them, it will turn imagination into reality.
We are now entering the final stages of construction enclosing the courts and more. Soon to complete even more than the first PB visionaries could have conceived a short time ago.
In my vision, I see our San Carlos Pickleball Club continuing for many, many years to come, outliving us all. I know that Tibby and I want to leave a lasting legacy here in San Carlos. Not just that we breathed the air, the culture and the friendships of San Carlos but that we left something of value behind for all to appreciate. If SCPC has added to your life and I know it has, I hope you see fit to open your heart and pocketbook to insure our San Carlos Pickleball Club for future generations as our courts move into the final stages of completion.
Projects we are working on
LAST TOURNAMENT – MARCH 2026
🏅🔥 SCPC GLP Club Group Olympics!
What an incredible tournament!
Amazing energy, teamwork, competition, and community spirit all weekend long. Thank you to *everyone who participated, supported, organized, and cheered* — you made this event awesome! 🙌🏓
👏 Congratulations to all our winners and to everyone who competed!
This tournament was full of heart, great matches, and awesome team spirit.
Thank you all for making the SCPC GLP Club Group Olympics such a fun and memorable event!
HELP US SHARE THE STORY OF SCPC
Help Us Connect Our SCPC Community Around the World! 🌎🏓
Over the past year, San Carlos Pickleball Club has become much more than a place to play pickleball. It has grown into an international community where friendships are formed, volunteers make a difference, families come together, and players from around the world call San Carlos their second home.
To celebrate that journey, we’re working on the very first edition of The Heart of Pickleball in Latin America—a publication dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of the people, places, and communities that make pickleball so special.
This inaugural edition is a tribute to the San Carlos Pickleball Club community.
We’re currently collecting stories, photos, and community information as we put the finishing touches on this first edition, and we’d love your help.
Inside, you’ll discover:
🏓 The story of San Carlos Pickleball Club
🌎 Why hundreds of players from the U.S. and Canada return to San Carlos every year
❤️ Our youth programs and community impact
🏆 Tournament highlights, milestones, and unforgettable moments
We’re also creating a directory of where our members come from and the pickleball clubs they belong to back home. This short form helps us learn more about our members—including your home pickleball club in the U.S. or Canada—so we can build connections, share stories, and distribute the magazine throughout our extended pickleball community.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete the form and for being part of this incredible community.
This is more than a magazine. It’s a tribute to a community without borders, united by a simple game that has changed so many lives. It is also the beginning of a project to preserve and share the stories of the people and communities that make pickleball so special—and it all begins with San Carlos Pickleball Club.
Thank you for helping us preserve the story of San Carlos Pickleball Club and for becoming part of the very first edition of The Heart of Pickleball in Latin America. Together, we’re creating a lasting tribute to this incredible community and inspiring pickleball communities throughout Latin America and beyond.
Suggestions, sponsorship opportunities, stories, or photos to share?
Please contact Mariel Rivera. We’d love to hear from you!
Fill the form to connect our community beyond SC here!SCPC YouTube channel & LIVE Court Cam!
🎥 WE’RE LIVE! 🎉
We’re excited to announce the launch of the official San Carlos Pickleball Club YouTube channel and our very first LIVE Court Cam! Starting today, you can check in on the club from anywhere in the world and see what’s happening in real time.
Watch: 🏓 Court conditions, 🌬️ Wind conditions, ☀️ Weather, 👥 Club activity, 🏆 Tournaments and special events
Whether you’re planning to come play today, visiting San Carlos, or simply staying connected with our amazing pickleball community, we hope you’ll enjoy following along. This is just the beginning! Our live stream is a work in progress, and we’ll continue improving it over the coming weeks by adding new camera angles, better production, live tournament coverage, and other exciting features. From time to time, the stream may be temporarily offline while we make upgrades and improvements.
❤️ We’d love your help. Please take a moment to subscribe to our new YouTube channel. Subscribing is free, helps us grow the channel, and supports future improvements.
YouTube channel & Live Court Cam here!
LESSONS, WORKSHOPS & FITNESS CLASSES
🏓✨ PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO GROW AT SCPC ✨🏓
This past season was an incredible step forward for the Pickle Smart Academy at SCPC. The energy at the courts, the growth of our players, and the sense of community around the academy exceeded all expectations. From newer players developing their shots and strategy to advanced players sharpening their competitive game, it was amazing to see so much progress happening every week.
A huge part of that success has been the vision, leadership, and dedication of Kevin Duff, who leads and created the Pickle Smart Academy. Kevin has worked incredibly hard to build a positive, organized, and high-level training environment that represents what SCPC is all about – improvement, community, and passion for the game. 💪🏓
We are very happy to announce that Sara Bochte, an instructor from Arizona who many members may remember from previous clinics at SCPC, will now also be teaching at the club alongside Kevin. This collaboration has been organized under Kevin’s leadership and oversight as Club Pro, helping continue the long-term growth and sustainability of the academy while providing additional support during the busy winter season.
Sara brings great energy, experience, and passion for teaching, and we believe she will be a fantastic addition to the academy and SCPC community. Kevin and Sara are excited to work together to continue elevating the level of pickleball instruction at SCPC. 🙌
Thank you to all of our members and players who continue supporting the academy and helping make SCPC such a special place to play pickleball. ❤️🏓
To register for Lessons Message or call our Club Pro´s
Kevin Duff +52 (622) 147 2979 & Sara Bochte: +1 (925) 683-3479
Summer Women´s Pickleball night
Ladies, are invited to join our new Summer women’s Pickleball Nights! 💕
✨ 1 hour of group instruction with Sara Bochte
✨ 1 hour of open play to practice what you’ve learned
✨ Fun, friendly, and supportive environment
We have the 1st night in june and the next date is on
📅 Monday, July 13
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 San Carlos Pickleball Club
💰 SCPC Members: 300 MXN
💰 Non-Members: 350 MXN
The goal isn’t just a lesson—it’s a complete pickleball night! Learn, play, meet new friends, and enjoy some great games together. 💖🏓
Sara Bochte: +1 (925) 683-3479
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Introduction to Pickleball (English & Spanish) 🏓
📅 Every Monday (registration required)
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 San Carlos Pickleball Club
📲 Contact: +52 1 622 162 6652
The perfect beginner combo!
Your registration includes: The Introduction to Pickleball class + Táctica Tuesday fee — the best way to start your pickleball journey, learn the basics, and enjoy the game with our community.
Contact Darren: +52 622 1651762
Social Impact Program
Our Kids Pickleball Program has continued without interruption throughout the spring and summer, bringing together children from Ancla de Amor Orphanage and kids from our local community every Monday for an afternoon filled with learning, play, friendship, and connection.
Before many of our seasonal volunteers returned home, they were invited to share a homemade pizza dinner at the orphanage. It was a beautiful experience and a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the incredible work being done there. Later in the season, our volunteers returned with fresh bagels to share with the children — an extra special treat, as for many of them, it was their very first time trying one.
Every Monday is about much more than pickleball. The kids enjoy time on the courts, while the youngest children have fun in the inflatable bounce house. Afterwards, everyone comes together to share dinner as one big family. We regularly serve favorites like pizza, spaghetti, and salad, always ending the evening with a special dessert or treat. This is only possible thanks to the incredible support of our community.Although many of our amazing snowbird volunteers have returned home for the summer, the program continues thanks to Darren, Mariel, and Enrique, who have united efforts to keep it rolling, along with the support of several of our older junior players in the group who have stepped up to help coach, encourage, and mentor the younger children.
Just like last summer, we wanted to create more opportunities for the kids to enjoy their school vacation. This year, we introduced a new tradition: Monday Pool Parties hosted by different members of our community! 🌊
The first pool party of the summer was generously hosted by Kelly and Scott Buntenbah, who welcomed the kids for an afternoon filled with swimming, Picklevolleyball, games, and delicious food, including hot dogs and homemade macaroni and cheese. This past Monday, Mariel and Darren hosted the second pool party. Mia had the time of her life welcoming the kids and joining in the fun. After hours of swimming, laughter, and games, everyone enjoyed pizza, spaghetti, salad, and ice cream for dessert. It was another unforgettable afternoon filled with friendship, smiles, and memories. The fun will continue, as Karen and Ron have already volunteered to host the next pool party.
The staff at Ancla de Amor Orphanage has shared how grateful they are for the love and support shown by our pickleball community. They remind us that these experiences are about much more than a few hours of fun — they help children feel included, valued, and loved. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We are incredibly proud that the San Carlos Pickleball Club community has become part of that village.
SCPC Beyond the Courts
Friendships formed at the club now extend far beyond the pickleball courts. The impact of our community reaches throughout San Carlos, as many of our members actively support local organizations dedicated to meaningful causes.
This season, San Carlos Pickleball Club proudly supported every fundraiser held in San Carlos, donating items for auctions and raffles while our members attended and contributed to each event. The CRRIF Gala Dinner, held at the end of the snowbird season, was no exception as well as the frundraiser of Tanta Vida ¨for the love of dogs¨ , with support from our community.
Another wonderful example is the Bagel Buddies initiative, led by Jeff and Kari, which raised funds to support the children in our summer pickleball program. It’s also been rewarding to see the friendships created at SCPC continue well beyond San Carlos. Throughout the year, our members have reunited while traveling and have met up back home across the United States and Canada—a testament to the lasting relationships our club has helped create.
SCPC isn’t just building better pickleball players—we’re building a stronger community and lifelong friendships.
Members Proudly Representing our Club
🏅 From Canada, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Hermosillo, and Los Barriles, our members proudly represent San Carlos Pickleball Club at tournaments near and far! Their passion, dedication, and sportsmanship continue to showcase the spirit of our club wherever they play. These are just a few of the tournament moments we received photos from — we know there are many more! 📸 Don’t forget to share your tournament photos with us so we can celebrate and highlight our amazing pickleball community! 🏓
Summer in San Carlos is Booming
Our Pelotas de Fuego Summer Sessions are full of energy, and we’ve had packed courts every Tuesday evening during Táctica Tuesday as the sun goes down.
Pickleball, friends, and great summer vibes — the fun continues in San Carlos!
🎯 With over 950 players already part of Táctica’s history and SOLD-OUT sessions week after week due to overwhelming demand from national players and our growing pickleball community, San Carlos Pickleball Club is piloting additional night sessions! 🔥
🎯 TÁCTICA TUESDAY
Mixed Play | Men & Women
Our signature SCPC format where players are strategically assigned to courts according to skill level, creating balanced, competitive, and fun matches.
👑 KING OF THE COURT
Mixed Play | Men & Women
A dynamic format:
2 Up / 2 Down
Winners move up, challengers move down, and partners rotate after each round to create new teams and exciting competition.
♛ QUEENS & KINGS
The same Táctica format you know and love, with dedicated courts for women and men, allowing players of similar levels to compete, connect, and have fun.
More action. More connections. More pickleball at SCPC.
Join the fastest-growing pickleball community in Mexico!
🙏 We deeply thank the individuals who have reached out to sponsor the talented teenagers from Orphanage Ancla de Amor and our social impact program, making it possible for them to join Táctica, even covering dinner, as it is an evening event.
⏰ Schedule: Warm-up 6:30, Games Start at 7:00pm
⏳ Duration: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours
✅ Registration is required for all players, including kids and teens.
💵 Costs:
- Adults (Táctica Tuesday): $150 pesos
- Táctica Teens: $100 pesos
- Club members: $100 pesos
Contact Darren: +52 622 1651762
Summer Calendar
Check out our summer Calentar. As the season keeps evolving the groups will be adjusted.Ask SCPC Admin to add you to the groups or scan the QR codes above. 🎯
Anytime a court isn’t reserved for scheduled play, it can be reserved for private play using Court Reserve.
If you are in town join in on the action!
Pro Shop
Consignment: We are currently accepting items for sale from our members. We will display the items at the various club events in exchange for 25% of the sale value. Contact Enrique, Mariel or Darren if you have something to sell!
Purchasing merchandise directly from the official Pro Shop supports the sustainability of the Club’s operations, allowing us to pay the bills and limit increases of the membership fees.
Rent the pickleball machine
The Club’s Erne Pickleball Machine is available for use at San Carlos Pickleball Club.
Rental rates:
*200 pesos per hour for members
*300 pesos for non-members (plus daily pass).
Take advantage of this great feature and elevate your pickleball practice!
To operate the machine, simply download the Erne App on your phone or use the remote control.
To reserve the machine, please contact Enrique at +52 622-162-6652.
Click here to download the Erne App on Android devices and click here to download it from the Apple store. And, you can download the Erne manual for tips on drills and how to operate it.
Contact Us
We have a WhatsApp Business phone line for your queries, designed to streamline communication and assist you promptly with any questions related to memberships and gate codes. To get into the courts, the Pro Shop, or to purchase merchandise, please reach out to our Management team staff support, Enrique Dorame at SCPC Admin Services: WhatsApp +52 622-162-6652.
And for any further questions or concerns, please contact our Management team, Darren Thompson and Mariel Rivera.
Mariel Rivera: +52 622-107-0085. Tournament sponsorship and Social Programs.
Darren Thompson: +52 622-165-1762. Court schedules, activities and tournaments.
We are here to help and support you in any way we can.
Court Reserve:
We use Court Reserve to enhance your experience at the club. If you are not already on Court Reserve, then find courtreserve.com on your phone or computer and Sign Up. Then look for San Carlos Pickleball Club. With this system, you can easily:
- Reserve a court
- Buy your membership or daily passes
- Check out our weekly events
- Register for workshops or paid events
Your Health Matters
Safety reminder for all members:
If you experience any injury on the courts, please call Rescate for assistance — they provide Emergency Services for all our members.
Simply dial 911 and tell the dispatcher to Send Rescate. Your safety is our priority, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rescate if needed.
Thank you so much to Gary and Tibby Levinson for helping keep us safe at the courts. Their generous support in maintaining our Gold Membership with Rescate makes a meaningful difference for our community, and we are truly grateful.