Duluth, MN, Superior, WI, and the surrounding area
Friday, July 9, 2021
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Duluth Area Places to Play
List of places to play pickleball in the Duluth area. Check the calendar for scheduled play.
Woodland Community Center (summer, outdoor)
Duluth Indoor Sports Center (DISC) (all year, indoor)
Fredenberg (summer, outdoor)
Merritt Park (summer, outdoor)
Cloquet Sunnyside Park (summer, outdoor)
Downtown Duluth, Essentia Wellness Center, Superior YMCA (all year, indoor)
Hermantown High School (summer, outdoor)
Wheeler Athletic Complex (summer, outdoor)
Longview Tennis Club (summer, outdoor)
Superior, WI Central Park (summer, outdoor)
Gnesen Community Center (summer, outdoor)
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Vulcan V510 Hybrid Graphite Review
Duluth Area Pickleball Association would like to thank,
Charlsey Webster, Affiliate Program Manager at Pickleball Central
pickleballcentral.com
for including DAPA in the Vulcan V510 paddle review.
It is a great program to connect our players with new equipment as at:
Vulcan Advanced Logic Pickleball. https://www.pickleballcentral.
The new Vulcan V510 Hybrid was used by many players at our open play and
Kathryn added her thoughts in this review.
Vulcan V510 Hybrid Graphite Review
I played with the Vulcan V510 Hybrid Paddle over the course of several days in competitive 3.0 - 4.0 play. I did not have overly high expectations for this paddle at the price point. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed playing with it. I found that there was a good amount of both power and control. At 7.9 ounces this paddle is heavy enough to provide some real power from the baseline, while at the same time encouraging good control on soft shots from the NVZ. I'm used to playing with a much lighter paddle, and was glad to find that the weight of the Vulcan V510 did not put undue strain on my wrist or elbow. There was no noticeable vibration on harder shots and the connection to the ball felt solid on every hit. The surface texture also allowed for a good deal of top spin action with minimal effort. The comfort of the grip was immediately noticeable and allowed for good ease of use right from the start. I would highly recommend this paddle for any beginner to intermediate player looking to upgrade to a new paddle that won't break the bank.
Kathryn Mongan-Rallis
check out more from VALCAN ADVANCED LOGIC PICKLEBALL Equipment at: https://www.pickleballcentral.
Gitchi Gummi Pickleball Tournament gitchpb.com
Silver Medal Women's Doubles
Bronze Medal Mixed Double
Charlsey Webster, Affiliate Program Manager at Pickleball Central
pickleballcentral.com
for including DAPA in the Vulcan V510 paddle review.
It is a great program to connect our players with new equipment as at:
Vulcan Advanced Logic Pickleball. https://www.pickleballcentral.
The new Vulcan V510 Hybrid was used by many players at our open play and
Kathryn added her thoughts in this review.
Vulcan V510 Hybrid Graphite Review
I played with the Vulcan V510 Hybrid Paddle over the course of several days in competitive 3.0 - 4.0 play. I did not have overly high expectations for this paddle at the price point. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed playing with it. I found that there was a good amount of both power and control. At 7.9 ounces this paddle is heavy enough to provide some real power from the baseline, while at the same time encouraging good control on soft shots from the NVZ. I'm used to playing with a much lighter paddle, and was glad to find that the weight of the Vulcan V510 did not put undue strain on my wrist or elbow. There was no noticeable vibration on harder shots and the connection to the ball felt solid on every hit. The surface texture also allowed for a good deal of top spin action with minimal effort. The comfort of the grip was immediately noticeable and allowed for good ease of use right from the start. I would highly recommend this paddle for any beginner to intermediate player looking to upgrade to a new paddle that won't break the bank.
Kathryn Mongan-Rallis
check out more from VALCAN ADVANCED LOGIC PICKLEBALL Equipment at: https://www.pickleballcentral.
Gitchi Gummi Pickleball Tournament gitchpb.com
Bronze Medal Mixed Double
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Onix Outbreak Paddle Review
A Paddle That Lowers Errors
The Outbreak is a great offering from Onix, with several features that make it ideal for those seeking maximum stability, as well as seasoned tennis players.
Feel - The grip instantly reminded me of holding a tennis racket, with a larger diameter and distinctly "square" feel. This made it feel incredibly secure right away. I noticed no slip or need for grip adjustment throughout the games. For those who keep an index finger of the grip, the difference was even more noticeable in how much contact the grip kept with my other 4 fingers at all times.
Paddle Design - With a wide face and above average thickness, you might expect the paddle to underperform in the precision department. However, the shots remained consistent throughout the entire paddle face, making for a larger margin of error when making contact with the ball.
The textured face allowed for good ball control, and felt almost as though the paddle were catching the ball before quietly sending it back, emphasis on quiet. This is ideal for tennis players who are used to a larger backswing, as the paddle size, consistency throughout the face, and soft touch create a more forgiving response all-around.
Weight - The paddle is lighter than it looks, and by no means a power paddle. It was harder to send the ball out of bounds than I expected. Smashes were more accurate with less velocity, and felt very secure to execute. This is what I liked the most about the paddle.
This paddle is best suited for players transitioning from tennis, players who struggle with hitting shots out of bounds, players with larger hands, and players working to decrease their back swing habits. It is a forgiving paddle with good ball control and ability to minimize mistakes.
Thanks to Pickleball Central for providing the paddle to demo!
Kevin M Pilon
For more on Onix Paddles: https://www.pickleballcentral.com/Onix_Sports_Paddles_s/122.htm
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
DAPA Review of the Gamma Needle Graphite Paddle
During out club's open play, several of our players got the chance to use the Gamma Needle Graphite Paddle to get familiar with the paddle. We wanted feedback on the weight of the paddle, the feel of the grip and how the paddle handles when hitting the ball.
One player said that he like the feel of the "tacky" grip which prevented the paddle from spinning in his hand. He felt the Gamma grip was comfortable, even though it is shorter with smaller diameter than his current paddle. This player especially like the longer length and was positive that he was able to reach more shots with that extra length. The textured surface also helped him in adding spin to his shots.
Another player said he like the Gamma paddle overall. What he particularly liked was the relatively light weight and the "grippy" handle. He felt the paddle gave good touch and better control with his overhead smashes. The Gamma paddle's surface is about 3/4" longer than his current paddle which gave him a good reach, and he had more contact with balls when reaching compared to his own paddle.
A third player mentioned that what she liked most about the paddle was the extra length. She felt the longer paddle gave her more confidence when reaching for shots that she may not have been able to hit with her own paddle.
Another player's thoughts were that she really liked how lightweight the paddle felt, yet it had the power needed. She was skeptical of the elongated paddle but the extra reach far outweighed the narrower face, as it helped get shots that she could not have gotten with own paddle. She like the feel of the grip and size was perfect. The paddle's surface gripped the ball so she could control her delivery angles.
Other comments included "awesome grip", "great for dinking" and "good sound".
All players who tried out this Gamma paddle had positive feedback and mentioned that they would definitely consider buying this paddle in the future.
On behalf of Duluth Area Pickleball Association, we want to thank Pickleball Central for the opportunity to provide our club the chance to try out the Gamma Needle Graphite Paddle. Link to their website to purchase this paddle is:
http://www.pickleballcentral.com/Gamma_Pickleball_Paddles_s/260.htm
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Why Should I Enter a Tournament?
I have been receiving a lot of questions lately about tournaments. My wife and I love pickleball tournaments. In this FAQ, I hope to answer some of the questions I've received and encourage others to come to the tournaments with us.
I don't think I'm good enough for a tournament. Why should I go if I'll just get creamed?
The great thing about most pickleball tournaments is that the brackets are based on skill levels. For example, there might be a beginner, intermediate, and advanced brackets. You enter the bracket pertaining to your skill level. This way the tournament is competitive and fun for everybody.
How do I know what skill level I am?
There are specific definition for skill levels in pickleball. Before filling out the registration form, read them and evaluate where you are. You can also ask more experienced players (ones that have gone to tournaments) where they think you would fit best.
Pickleball skill levels are on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0. They are found here - http://ipickleball.org/ifp-rating-descriptions/
Most tournaments have skill levels from 3.0 and up, though I've seen some go as low as 2.5. You can play up a skill level but not down.
Why not age groups instead of skill levels?
Most small tournaments will only classify based on skill level. After all, does it matter what age you are as long as everyone is at the same level?
Large tournaments will have brackets by skill level and age. You can play up a skill level and/or down an age group, but not the other way. Some small or medium-sized tournaments will also have a "golden" division for seniors or a "high school" division for younger players. The skill levels in these divisions can vary greatly, though.
If you are still skeptical of not having age groups, I'll tell you about my first tournament experience. Both my wife and I were in our 20s. I had been playing pickleball since I was eight years old with my family. My wife is the most athletic person I know. When we arrived at the tournament, there were a bunch of what we considered "old people." We thought the young, athletic folks would take the day.
To make a long story short, we got creamed. We found out we didn't know what we were doing. In one game, we lost to a couple of 70-year-olds 11-2. (I would post the video here, but it's embarrassing.) Out of the many games we played, we only won one. We still had a lot of fun - and learned that age doesn't matter much in this game.
If I lose one game, am I out?
Every tournament is different. However, none of the ones I have entered are single elimination. At the very least, it is double elimination. Most of the ones I've been in involve some sort of round robin.
OK, maybe that would be fun. What else do you enjoy about tournaments?
There are many things I love about tournaments. Here are just a few.
Play competitive games
I know I'll probably win some and lose some, but that makes it fun. It is not much fun crushing teams or getting crushed. The skill levels ensure that there will always be competitive games.
Challenge myself
I find tournaments to be a good way to see if I am improving. Win or lose, I love the challenge.
Play new people
Around here, we play the same people week after week. It is a lot of fun playing someone you have never met before.
Meet new people
At a tournament we entered recently, we talked to Chris Wong, a 5.0 player from Sioux Falls. He said that as he has progressed in the sport, he has come to realize that there is a huge social aspect to tournaments, even among the top competitive players. Especially among the top players. Tournaments are a chance for them to get together, catch up, grab a bite to eat, and just hang out. They get competitive on the court, but off of it they are great friends.
My wife and I have come to know quite a few people in the tournaments we've entered. We feel that we have "pickleball friends" all over the state. We enjoy meeting new people or catching up with ones we've played before. And we will probably only ever see these people if we go to the tournaments.
All right, you've convinced me. How much do they cost? Where are they? What else do I need to know?
We are pretty lucky here in Duluth. Not only do we live in God's Country, but pickleball tournaments are pretty close. There are quite a few tournaments in the Twin Cities. Various places in Wisconsin have some, too. There is one in Grand Rapids, MN, in September. Someday we might host our own!
I maintain a list on the website of the upcoming tournaments that are near us - http://www.duluthpickleball.org/calendar/tournaments.aspx
The cost to enter a tournament is pretty minimal. It is typically less than $50 per team, usually much less than that.
What else do you need to know? I'll cover tournament prep in another post, but for now you can read this great article by a pickleball pro - Pickleball Tournaments, Plan for Success by Sarah Ansboury
I don't think I'm good enough for a tournament. Why should I go if I'll just get creamed?
The great thing about most pickleball tournaments is that the brackets are based on skill levels. For example, there might be a beginner, intermediate, and advanced brackets. You enter the bracket pertaining to your skill level. This way the tournament is competitive and fun for everybody.
How do I know what skill level I am?
There are specific definition for skill levels in pickleball. Before filling out the registration form, read them and evaluate where you are. You can also ask more experienced players (ones that have gone to tournaments) where they think you would fit best.
Pickleball skill levels are on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0. They are found here - http://ipickleball.org/ifp-rating-descriptions/
Most tournaments have skill levels from 3.0 and up, though I've seen some go as low as 2.5. You can play up a skill level but not down.
Why not age groups instead of skill levels?
Most small tournaments will only classify based on skill level. After all, does it matter what age you are as long as everyone is at the same level?
Large tournaments will have brackets by skill level and age. You can play up a skill level and/or down an age group, but not the other way. Some small or medium-sized tournaments will also have a "golden" division for seniors or a "high school" division for younger players. The skill levels in these divisions can vary greatly, though.
If you are still skeptical of not having age groups, I'll tell you about my first tournament experience. Both my wife and I were in our 20s. I had been playing pickleball since I was eight years old with my family. My wife is the most athletic person I know. When we arrived at the tournament, there were a bunch of what we considered "old people." We thought the young, athletic folks would take the day.
To make a long story short, we got creamed. We found out we didn't know what we were doing. In one game, we lost to a couple of 70-year-olds 11-2. (I would post the video here, but it's embarrassing.) Out of the many games we played, we only won one. We still had a lot of fun - and learned that age doesn't matter much in this game.
If I lose one game, am I out?
Every tournament is different. However, none of the ones I have entered are single elimination. At the very least, it is double elimination. Most of the ones I've been in involve some sort of round robin.
OK, maybe that would be fun. What else do you enjoy about tournaments?
There are many things I love about tournaments. Here are just a few.
Play competitive games
I know I'll probably win some and lose some, but that makes it fun. It is not much fun crushing teams or getting crushed. The skill levels ensure that there will always be competitive games.
Challenge myself
I find tournaments to be a good way to see if I am improving. Win or lose, I love the challenge.
Play new people
Around here, we play the same people week after week. It is a lot of fun playing someone you have never met before.
Meet new people
At a tournament we entered recently, we talked to Chris Wong, a 5.0 player from Sioux Falls. He said that as he has progressed in the sport, he has come to realize that there is a huge social aspect to tournaments, even among the top competitive players. Especially among the top players. Tournaments are a chance for them to get together, catch up, grab a bite to eat, and just hang out. They get competitive on the court, but off of it they are great friends.
My wife and I have come to know quite a few people in the tournaments we've entered. We feel that we have "pickleball friends" all over the state. We enjoy meeting new people or catching up with ones we've played before. And we will probably only ever see these people if we go to the tournaments.
All right, you've convinced me. How much do they cost? Where are they? What else do I need to know?
We are pretty lucky here in Duluth. Not only do we live in God's Country, but pickleball tournaments are pretty close. There are quite a few tournaments in the Twin Cities. Various places in Wisconsin have some, too. There is one in Grand Rapids, MN, in September. Someday we might host our own!
I maintain a list on the website of the upcoming tournaments that are near us - http://www.duluthpickleball.org/calendar/tournaments.aspx
The cost to enter a tournament is pretty minimal. It is typically less than $50 per team, usually much less than that.
What else do you need to know? I'll cover tournament prep in another post, but for now you can read this great article by a pickleball pro - Pickleball Tournaments, Plan for Success by Sarah Ansboury
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Pickleball in Duluth, MN
Do you want to play pickleball in Duluth? Come and join us!
We recently created the Duluth Area Pickleball Association to help spread the sport of pickleball in Duluth, MN, Superior, WI, and the surrounding area. We help organize play and search for locations to set up courts.
In addition to our calendar and information on the association, this website also has general information on the sport of pickleball and its strategy. Feel free to explore and drop us an email if you have questions!
We recently created the Duluth Area Pickleball Association to help spread the sport of pickleball in Duluth, MN, Superior, WI, and the surrounding area. We help organize play and search for locations to set up courts.
In addition to our calendar and information on the association, this website also has general information on the sport of pickleball and its strategy. Feel free to explore and drop us an email if you have questions!
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