Hola San Carlos Pickleballers,
I hope you’re all doing great! I wanted to do an update and take a moment to thank everyone who joined and supported our fundraising party last December. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue improving our club and move forward with parts of the original design that are still waiting to be completed.

Now that court traffic has slowed down a bit, we’re excited to continue construction on the Cool Zone, located right in the heart of our common area. We’ve already installed the shade structures, and collected bids from local contractors and we’re now working on getting the necessary city permits.

This new Cool Zone will be a great addition to the club, offering a comfortable space to relax, hydrate, and connect with fellow players between matches. We’re really looking forward to bringing this space to life, and it wouldn’t be possible without your continued support.

Sending a big warm hug to all of you — thank you for being part of this amazing community!

Cheers,
Carlos Dessens, President
San Carlos Pickleball Club

Land Purchase & Construction Update

We have exciting news! We were able to make our final land payment early. Now, the Notario is working on the Escritura Pública (public deed) which will then be registered with the Public Registry. So, who will then own the land and club? All of us! It will be registered in the name The San Carlos Pickleball Club, AC which is an Asociaciones Civiles Sin Fines de Lucro, i.e., a Mexican nonprofit. You can read more about the structural organization of the Club here.

We’re making amazing progress on our SCPB Club construction project! We finished the shade structures and the practice walls (pictured below). In the mean time, Fabian has been working on getting the necessary construction permits and our Licencia de Uso de Suelo (zoning certificate). He’s also sourced quotes for the Cool Zone, remaining front wall and parking area. Construction of the Cool Zone will begin when we get the construction permit, which should be soon. We have the funds to complete the building of the Cool Zone.

Let’s keep building together!

Meet our New Board Members

But first, a huge thank you to departing board members, Debbie, Theresa (“T”) and Angie.

Words can’t express how much the pickleball community owes Debbie and T as pioneers of the sport in San Carlos. They’ve given so many hours, not just to the board, but to teaching the sport, organizing groups like Divas and running events. And many people, myself included (Christa), got their start playing with them.

Their contributions have been invaluable, and their passion for the sport has truly made a difference in our community. Their leadership and vision have helped us achieve so much, especially organizing hugely successful events like Sombrero Showdown and Amigos Cup and also fun smaller events like St. Patrick’s Day.

Angie was only with us for a year before family matters brought her to Arizona, but during that time her enthusiastic support and fundraising efforts were instrumental in bringing our shade structures to life. A true ambassador of the sport, Angie brought great energy to every initiative and inspired those around her.

The Board will miss all of their insights and the positive energy that they brought to our meetings. But I know we can count on all of them for continued support. Thank you once again for everything you have done for our club and the sport of pickleball.

You can read all of the Board members’ bios here.

Tania Quiñones, Secretary

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, I have made Guaymas my home for over 15 years.

With academic degrees in International Relations and Law, I have been working in the real estate industry since 2019 as part of the Coldwell Banker Encantado team in San Carlos.

This career allows me to stay professionally active while also being present for my family.

I was the Secretary of AMPI (Real Estate Association) for the last 2 years (while Carlos was the President) and look forward to working with the San Carlos Pickleball Club as Secretary.

I’m passionate about outdoor sports, music, and enjoying quality time with family and friends.

Fabian Sanchez, Construction Committee

I was born in Durango, but my family moved to San Carlos when I was just six months old. San Carlos has been my home for 48 wonderful years, and I wouldn’t trade it for any place in the world. I absolutely love my San Carlitos.

My pickleball journey began during the COVID pandemic, thanks to an invitation from Ron Halverson and Karen Stewart. Later, Terry and Angie Parmely made it their mission to get my wife, Fabiola, and me completely hooked on the game — and they succeeded!

I graduated from Civil Engineering in 2001 and have been at Sanchez Arquitectura ever since.

I’m proud to have been part of the team that helped build the Club’s walls and prepared the ground for the courts’ construction. Now, I am a Board Member and want to continue building this beautiful community.

Fabiola and I share a competitive spirit in every sport we play, always striving to improve. Personally, one of my goals is to sharpen my skills at the net and continue enjoying the journey of becoming a better player.

Ramón Rodríguez, Fundraising Committee

I’ve been playing pickleball in San Carlos for about three years now. It has become one of the most important parts of my life here.

I’m currently involved in several projects that reflect my lifestyle and values. I work on holistic wellness and retreat initiatives called Eter, and I run BICHAA, a local and Hermosillo-to-San Carlos transportation service. I’m also a certified real estate agent with Vive Real Estate.

I’m passionate about outdoor activities like hiking and spending time in the ocean. I also enjoy holistic practices such as temazcal, yoga, meditation, and other mind-body wellness techniques.

As a member of the San Carlos Pickleball board, one of my main goals is to contribute positively to the growth of the sport within our community. I want to support its development in the right way, helping it become a driving force in positioning San Carlos as a vibrant, healthy destination — one that attracts positive people with a passion for sports and a desire to make our town even better. My vision is to leave a meaningful impact and help foster a stronger, more connected San Carlos.

Management Update

As we said goodbye to our big winter crowd with some exciting events in March, the courts have remained full of life! Different groups continue to play, evening sessions are growing, and our Monday kids’ lessons are thriving. Even in May, the energy didn’t slow down — our spontaneous mini tournament kept the fun going and showed how more and more players are enjoying pickleball in San Carlos year-round. The community vibe is stronger than ever!

Meanwhile, during the quieter morning hours, we’ve kicked off some much-needed court maintenance — including crack filling and power-washing — thanks to Enrique’s hard work. A big shoutout to Roger for making the process fun and motivating supporting the maintenance committee!

We’re also working on:

• Renumbering the courts and updating signs and flags
• Replacing some lights
• General repairs and improvements to give the courts some love after a busy season.

Now that the land will be under the club’s name, we will begin the process of obtaining the permanent alcohol permit. It’s a thorough and lengthy journey, but an exciting one — wish us luck!
Thank you all for helping keep this community vibrant, active, and growing — both on and off the courts!

Spring Season Recap

🔥 What a Spring Season at the San Carlos Pickleball Club! 🔥

This spring was packed with unforgettable moments, friendly competition, and so much fun on and off the courts!

🎯 March was the grand finale of our GLP Team Events Weekend series — full of passion, strategy, and incredible team spirit. It was the perfect way to wrap up an exciting format that brought so many players together. We closed the month in style with a lively Farewell Friday Party under the lights at the courts — the perfect send-off for a memorable season!

🌸 May brought us a spontaneous and super fun Spring Mini Tournament, thanks to the awesome support of Orlie! What started as a casual day turned into an amazing doubles tournament, full of energy and laughs — and we capped it all off with a fantastic after party at Kelly’s house! 🏖️🏊‍♂️ Great games, great people, and perfect San Carlos Pickleball day!

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors who helped make it all happen, and to everyone who played, supported, or just came out to enjoy the fun. These are the moments that make our community truly special.

📸 Click here to see the pictures and re-live the fun! 
May Tourney and After Party Thanks to Ross Bloom
March Tournament and May and January-February Thanks to Tomas Palacios 

Upcoming Tournaments & Events 2025 / 26

✨ Save the Dates! San Carlos Pickleball Tournament Calendar is Here! ✨

In order to give everyone plenty of time to plan ahead, we’re excited to share the official calendar for our upcoming Autumn & Winter 2025–2026 Season! 🗓️

Mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable season of pickleball, friends, and fun in beautiful San Carlos, Mexico!

🌟 And for those who love San Carlos all year long… stay tuned! We’ve got some surprise Mini Tournaments coming your way during the spring and summer! ☀️🏖️

Let’s make this season the best one yet — see you on the courts! 🏓🔥

Social Impact Projects

Thanks to the community’s support, we’ve finished painting more courts in the community:

• 1 Court at Castaway Kids Community Center
• 1 Court at La Manga Community Center
• 1 Court at Primary school in Ranchitos
• 2 Courts at San José Public Elementary School
• 3 Sets of Pickleball Court Nets for Orphanage Ancla de Amor in Santa Clara

And the momentum continues! Our Monday lessons for kids and teenagers are now running year-round. A  huge thank you to everyone who made this possible!
From everyone who contributed to the Chef Festival fundraiser or donated used paddles, to the amazing volunteers who led lessons and those who helped with painting lines, to our generous sponsors, individual donors, supportive parents, schools, and community centers who put their trust in us — we are doing it all together. Here are some pictures from the La Manga Inauguration and  a video and photos from the Castaway Kids Community Center Inauguration.

If you are interested in supporting this program as a volunteer or if you’d like to  contribute something, please WhatsApp Mariel Rivera from the Management team at: +52 622-107-0085.

Improve your Game

Pickleball Lessons, Workshops & Drills Sessions

Improve your skills, technique, and strategy with instruction from our teaching pro, Kevin Duff. Click <HERE> for a summary of Kevin’s teaching credentials and experience.

Workshops: Workshops are in-depth, theme-based sessions designed to enhance a particular aspect of your game. Each workshop is two hours long and includes group discussion and custom drills. Currently available workshops include: Movement and Positioning, The Power Game, The Soft Game, Beating Bangers, Mid Court Mastery, Targeting and Stacking, Playing with Purpose, and GLP. During the winter season (November – April), workshops are held every Wednesday from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. During the summer season (May – October), workshops aren’t regularly scheduled but can be arranged according to demand. The cost for each workshop is 350 pesos/person.

Lessons: Private lessons are a great way to refine your technique, while semi-private and group lessons are useful for working on strategy with your friends.

• Private (one person): 1,200 pesos/hour
• Semi-private (two people): 800 pesos/person/hour
• Semi-private (three people): 600 pesos/person/hour
• Group (four to eight people): 500 pesos/person/hour

Drill Sessions: Playing pickleball is fun but it’s not always the best way to refine your skills. Drilling is a way to focus in on specific skills and get more repetitions than you would by playing games alone. During the winter season (November – April), drill sessions are held every Friday from 11:00am – noon. During the summer season (May – October), drill sessions aren’t regularly scheduled but can be arranged according to demand. Participants will be grouped according to skill level. The cost for each Drill session is 100 pesos/person.

Click <HERE> for the full menu of all instructional services offered at SCPC.

Pickle Smart Academy at SCPC by Kevin Duff: Are you ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? The Pickle Smart Academy is here to help you grow, refine, and master your pickleball skills in a cutting-edge and supportive environment. If you’re willing to make the commitment, then the Academy is ready to give you the tools, coaching, and support you need to succeed. There are no additional fees other than the requirement that you invest 5,000 pesos on instruction over the course of the year (November 1st – October 31st). Click <HERE> to read about the benefits of joining the Pickle Smart Academy.

For more information about pickleball instruction or the Pickle Smart Academy, please send a WhatsApp message to Kevin at +52 622-147-2979.

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 new feature and elevate your pickleball practice!

To operate the machine, simply download the Erne App on your phone. Please note that the machine is available during the following hours: 11:00am to 3:00pm Monday-Saturday. You can reserve the machine with 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.

Calendar

Summer Court Schedule and Activities

Check out our weekly Event Calendar packed with organized play, open play and social round robins at the San Carlos Pickleball Club.  Please note that as the weather continues to warm-up, some schedules may be adjusted. Check the respective WhatsApp groups for updates.

Here are explanations about the organized groups and events you see in the calendar:

Walk-in events:

• Open Play – Monday to Saturday from 8:00am to 11:00am. Courts are divided into self-rated groups: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Paddle Stacking within each group. Free to members.

• Hot Shots – Ladies Round Robin open to all skill levels. First come – first served; limited to 31 players. Free to members.

• Sorteo Sundays – Sundays at 8:00am (be there by 7:45am). First come – first served for all skills levels, limited to 70 people. Free to members.

Events that you need to Register for in advance:

• Tactica Tuesday (skill-based Round Robin) – 7:00pm (arrive by 6:45pm). 100 pesos for members and 150 pesos for non-members. Ask Darren to add you to the group or scan QR code.
• Pickleball Pals – Mondays and Fridays at 7:30am. Mixed round robin. Scan QR code. Free to members.
• Dinking Divas – Ladies Round Robin. 3.5 and above skill level. Scan QR code Free to members.
• AAA Pods – Organized group for players over 3.5 skill level. Free to members.
• Up and Comers – New or Beginner level players. Mondays at 6:00pm. Scan QR code. Free to members.

Anytime a court isn’t reserved for scheduled play, you’re welcome to use it to practice or for private play. NOTE: For events like Workshops or Dinks & Drills, please visit Court Reserve for registration and/or pricing, or contact Kevin Duff.
Plan your week and join in on the action!

Contact Us

We have a WhatsApp business phone line for your queries

We have a business phone line designed to streamline communication and assist you promptly with any questions or inquiries 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