New 2018/2019 Annual Membership Passes for Mirador Courts

Your Mirador Courts Annual Membership expired on September 30.

The new Annual Memberships run from October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019 and are available for purchase at Seaside Realty (behind the new ARCO gas station).

The fee is the same as last year — 1500 pesos for an Annual Pass. You’ll complete a membership form with your current information, sign the waiver, and receive a new 2018/2019 Annual Membership Card.

Click here to read all the benefits of being a Member at Mirador Courts, including a discount at Bonifacio’s and La Bartina 64 restaurants. As part of your membership fee, we are also providing the balls at the courts.

All Day Passes for the 2017/18 season also expire on September 30th. The cost for the 2018/19 Day Pass is the same as last year — 100 pesos per day, with a maximum of 10 Day Passes for the whole year. This year, Day Pass members will receive a Sticker that MUST BE WORN on the day of play, and is ONE USE ONLY.

Any player can be asked by ANY member at any time to show proof of current membership, so please bring your Annual Membership Cards every day that you play or wear the Day Pass sticker. 

For those players who purchased a Summer Special Pass, your new Annual Membership Cards are available at Seaside Realty. Please go in to pick it up from the receptionist.

Thanks to all Mirador Court members for making the inaugural season so fantastic! We had fun, enjoyed many exciting matches, learned lots of new skills, and made many new friends. The Board has lots of great ideas for this upcoming season. Keep an eye on these Pickleblasts, our sancarlospickleball.com website and on our Facebook page for current information.

Open Play, Monday – Saturday

Good news! This season, we’re providing more time for all levels of play during the week. Effective Monday, November 12, Open Play will now take place every morning except Sunday from 7:00am to 11:00am. In order to accommodate all the skill levels, we are scheduling the Open Play as follows:Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays:
Players under skill level 3.5 will play on four courts — Courts 4, 5, 6 and 1.
Players skill level 3.5 and above will play on two courts – Courts 2 and 3.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays:
Players skill level 3.5 and above will play on four courts — Courts 1, 2, 3 and 6.
Players under skill level 3.5 will play on two courts – Courts 3 and 4.

Continue to use the paddle holders as you are now — lower skill levels use the holders on the wind-sock side; higher skill levels use the paddle holder on the Bonifacio’s side). Please do not re-arrange players’ paddles once they are in the holder.

We will post signs at the court with this new schedule and adjust it as needed. How do you know your skill level? Base it on what skill level you would play in a tournament — including our upcoming Sombrero Showdown. The USAPA provides Skill Assessment Sheets on their website. Click here for assessments for levels 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. You can also ask James Main, Darren Thompson, Deb Forrester or Theresa Melius to help you determine your skill rating.

Open play is a great way to meet new friends and hone your skills. You don’t need to gather a group of friends to go play, you can just show up by yourself and get in on a game. Arrive and leave at any time during Open Play.

When you arrive at the courts, put your paddle in the paddle-holder so you can get on a court and PLAY!

You can also check the calendar or court reservation system for Open Play days and times.

And remember, you can reserve your own court anytime around the Open Play times if you want to play with specific people for a few hours or do some drills with a few friends.

Skills & Drills: Intermediate & Advanced on Tuesdays

Skills & Drills continues on Tuesdays, starting at 8:00am for Intermediate & Advanced players. In order to have more Open Play time, these drills will only be on Tuesdays (not on Thursdays anymore).

Darren, James & Deb are going to work on drills to improve shots that you should already know. For example, if you’re going to participate, you should already know what these shots are: a volley, dink, third shot, soft shot and drive.

Come on out and improve your skills with some of the top players in San Carlos.

Once T (Theresa) is back in town, we will offer clinics on Mondays at 8:00am for low Intermediate players. The first day will be Monday, November 19. More info to follow.

Pickleball Clinic for Beginners and Beyond, Thursdays

Have you wanted to try the sport of pickleball but didn’t know where to start? Or have you played a few games and know the rules (Beyond Beginners) but want to review the fundamentals?

Then come out to the Beginners and Beyond Pickleball Clinic on Thursdays at 11:00am.

If you don’t have a paddle, we will lend one to you. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring your own water. The clinic will take approx. 1 hour.

The clinic is free to members of Mirador Courts. If you are not a member but wish to take part in the clinic, then you can buy a Day Pass for 100 pesos at Seaside Realty in Plaza Arrecifes (behind the new ARCO gas station in town).

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today by contacting Michele Monlux at: monluxm@yosemite.edu.

Round Robin, Sundays

All Mirador Court members are invited to join us on Sundays at 8:00am for Round Robin play, starting on Sunday, November 18. We play for 15 minutes and then rotate players and courts. It’s a great way to meet and play with new people, without worrying about your scores.

Get out there and play!!

Private Lessons now available with James Main

Would you like to improve your game? Get help with your forehand or backhand, learn more about game strategy, improve your footwork, dinks, and more…

James Main (5.0 player) is offering private and/or small group lessons to all San Carlos pickleball players — whether you are a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced player. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from one of the best players and coaches in San Carlos!

If you have a private court or a court at your housing development, James will come to you. Otherwise, the lessons will take place at Mirador Courts. If you are a not a member of Mirador Courts, you’ll need to buy a Day Pass.

Click on the flyer for options and prices. For more information, contact James at skywalkmaverick@msn.com or call 253-226-5964.

Sun & Holiday Fun Round Robin Pickleball Tournament, December 15

On Saturday, December 15, come play in the Sun & Holiday Fun Round Robin pickleball tournament, which will be held at Mirador Courts, for Mirador Courts members only.This will be a fun event in the warm sunshine of San Carlos – what a great way to avoid winter!

This tournament is a Round Robin format. A “Round Robin” is a structured form of play designed so that all players are playing against people of roughly equal ability. In each Round Robin, you will play six games to a score of 15, each with a different partner and against a different pair of opponents. In most cases, teams will be mixed (men and women).

Spaces are limited, so if you would like to play, please email Theresa (T) Melius asap at theresamelius23@gmail.com. Your space will be confirmed by December 11.

On the day of the tournament, meet at 8:30am at Mirador Courts for Check-in. Play will start at 9:00am. Plan on about 3.5 hours of play.

Details of the Awards luncheon held after play TBA.

Sombrero Showdown & Amigos Cup is now FULL

The Sombrero Showdown and Amigos Cup is now FULL. 

There are currently 190 players registered for next February’s tournament in San Carlos (some of these are on the waiting list).

Players registering in any bracket now will be Wait-listed (unless they are partnering with an existing player already registered in that bracket). Some people may drop out over the next few months due to various circumstances, and we will do our best to get you off the Wait List and into the tournament.

If you haven’t paid your $45 USD registration fee, it is now due. If you are not able to pay via Paypal on the pickleballtournaments.com website, then please pay cash only ($45 USD or 900 Mexican pesos) at Seaside Realty. Put the money in an envelope and write on it: For Sue — Sombrero Showdown payment, and include your name(s) on the envelope so we can mark you as Paid.

Click here for more information and to get your name on the Wait List. If you have any questions, please contact Theresa (T), our Tournament Director at theresamelius23@gmail.com

Tournaments outside San Carlos:

You can find a list of tournaments from all over the USA and other countries at pickleballtournaments.com.

Ben Johns & Christine McGrath Clinic, January 15

We are fortunate to have two of the top players in the world join us for a day of clinics in San Carlos.

Ben Johns has risen to the top of the pro pickleball circuit after starting pickleball in 2016 at the age of 18. He has accumulated a vast array of medals and titles at the sport’s top events including Tournament of Champions, Nationals, and the US Open.

Christine McGrath is one of the top women’s players on the professional pickleball circuit having consistently medaled in all the major tournaments including winning both the US Open and Tournament of Champions.

In addition to competing, both Ben and Christine have organized and taught many clinics, camps, and exhibitions throughout the USA and beyond.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, they will host a number of 2.5 hour clinics, based on skill level.

8:00am – 10:30am: Beginner
11:00am – 1:30pm: Intermediate
2:00pm – 4:30pm: Advanced or 4.0+

The cost per clinic is $60 USD per person. There is a maximum of 16 players per group.

The clinics will be held at Mirador Courts. If you’re not a Mirador Court member but would like to participate, you’ll need to purchase a Day Pass for 100 pesos.

Spaces are limited so click here to sign up today.
If you have any questions, please contact James Main at skywalkmaverick@msn.com or call him at 253-226-5964.

Pro Scott Moore Clinics, February 4 – 5 or 6

Pro pickleballer, Scott Moore, recently won 5 Golds at the 2018 Minto US Open and we’re lucky enough to have him joining us in San Carlos for a boot camp and several smaller clinics this upcoming February. Get ready for the Sombrero Showdown pickleball tournament and/or step up your game in general with intensive, semi-private training in strategy, technique, skill development, positioning, effective practice, and mental toughness with IPTPA certified instructors, Scott Moore and Jon Moore. This opportunity is open to all San Carlos & Guaymas players.

Together with a small group of other players, you will improve your mental game, shot making, shot selection, and learn new strategies, drills, and a truly systematic approach to pickleball in order to become a more effective, better player! Choose from the 2-day Bootcamp or Mini-clinic options below.

2-day Bootcamp:
Monday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 5 from 8:30am – 12:30pm with instructional play in the afternoon from 1:00pm – 2:30pm. Cost is $299 USD.

Mini-clinic options:
Wednesday, February 6 from 8:45am – 11:45am for 4.0+ players. Cost is $90 USD.
Wednesday, February 6 from 12:30pm – 2:30pm for 3.0 & 3.5 players. Cost is $65.00 USD.

Groups will be separated by level. Location TBD.

Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today in either the Full-day or mini-clinic by contacting Jon at pickleballtrips@gmail.com or Susan at 719-235-8797 or by registering online at www.pickleballtrips.com.

Plastic Recycling Bin at Courts now

San Carlos is now recycling plastic, so we’ve put a green San Carlos Recycling bin at Mirador Courts beside the black garbage can for your plastic water, Gatorade, and soda bottles.

Please put your empty plastic bottles here. The broken balls will continue to go in the Broken Balls bin.

Thank you.

Referee Practice during Open Play

We’ll soon start up Referee Training for anyone interested in learning how to be a ref. Last season we had a number of people who took the training and did a terrific job during our international tournament. Pictured is our Referee Training leader, Becky Lupo, who reffed some games at the Fall Brawl in Utah last month.

For anyone who would like to practice reffing at Mirador Courts during Open Play, there are clipboards, clips, pencils and scoresheets in the shed for your use.

Players — if someone asks you if they can ref your game during Open Play, please say YES. It helps us as a pickleball community if our refs have a chance to practice and become confident with the tools and process.

And Refs, please say YES if someone would like to shadow you once you are confident so that we continue to train new people who are interested in learning.

The USAPA recently developed an excellent YouTube video called “Pickleball Referee Training Video – Ultimate Quick Start Guide to Reffing in Pickleball.” Click here to watch it.

For Dog owners and Smokers

We love Fido…but…

Dogs are NOT allowed on the courts (not in the playing or seating area). If you bring your dog, please bring a leash to tie your furry friend to the outside of the fence. Bonifacio’s restaurant will not allow dogs on their property either.

And as a courtesy to all members of this facility, pick up after your pets and discard of the trash. There is a green PASA bin at the far north-west side of the community complex where you can throw away dog poop.

Please DO NOT smoke on or near the courts, and DO NOT leave your cigarette butts on the ground in this area anymore.

If you must smoke, then kindly do it across the street and bring something to put your butts in and bring them home again with you. As we have landscaped around Mirador Courts, let’s all do our best to keep all areas around the courts clean now. Thank you.

Quick-Dry t-shirts for sale

Quick-dry tournament souvenir T-shirts for sale. Only 50 pesos!! Women’s and men’s sizes available. Limited quantities.

Great quality shirt — wear it for any outdoor activity.

Pick yours up today at Seaside Realty (Karen Stewart’s office in Plaza Arrecifes).

Paddles for sale

We have new Paddletek pickleball paddles for sale. You do not pay any taxes or shipping fees.

The following are available:

Club: $50 USD or 1000 pesos.
Element: $75 USD or 1500 pesos.

Discount on Pickleball Gear

Members of the San Carlos Pickleball Association get a 5% discount at PickleballCentral.com.

If you’re looking to buy a paddle, balls or gear, visit pickleballcentral.com.

Click on “My Account” (in red font at the top of the page). If you have an account, sign in. Otherwise, go to New Customers, and click on Continue…and go through the prompts until you have an Account set up.

At Check Out, there is a box where you should put the following Coupon Code: CRSANCARLOS
Then click Apply.

This will give you a 5% discount on your order. You will see San Carlos Pickleball Association with the discounted amount beside it. It will also give our San Carlos Pickleball Association a 5% Club Reward that will accumulate over the year, and next year they will give our club a credit for that amount. It’s a win-win for both you and for our club!