Highland Lakes

The 2014 pickleball season begins Sunday, May 18 from 9 am to 12 noon. The three permanent courts are located at the end of Glen Wild Way off Cherry Ridge Road.

The growth of pickleball in Highland Lakes has created opportunities for all of us to learn more about this exciting sport. In this process we have learned that quieter paddles can be used without reducing the fun of the game and the play of the paddles. As a result, HLCC has instituted two new regulations regarding the use of paddles.

The  first is that all paddles purchased for use on HLCC pickleball courts must be selected from the Sun City Grand “Green Zone”. These paddles were tested by Acoustics Group, Inc. and found to be the quietest paddles on the market. The only paddles approved in addition to those are the “Venom” by Pickleball Specialties and the “Vortex”.

In order that Club members can try some of these “Green Zone” paddles, the Club has purchased five that were recommended by Pickleball Central, one of the leading suppliers of pickleball equipment. These demo paddles will be available whenever there is league play.

The other regulation is that paddles previously purchased by members that are not in the “Green Zone” list will have to be dampened with “quiet pickleball pads” which will be supplied by HLCC. These pads, when tested by HLCC members, were found to significantly reduce the noise of the ball striking the paddle without affecting the play of the paddle. If you have purchased one or more paddles prior to 1/1/14, please contact Bill Beardsley by email or phone at (973) 764-7730.

Pickleball Central is offering members of the Highland Lakes community a five percent discount on all purchases. An additional five percent will be deposited in the Club account which will then be used to make future purchases of equipment for the Club. You simply have to give Pickleball Central  the Club membership
code, HL Pickleball, when making your purchase.

Pickleball play and instruction will be offered throughout the season on Sunday mornings from 9 to 12 noon and on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm. Pickleball will also be offered to women only on Friday mornings from 9 – 11 am. Equipment will be provided. Sneakers are necessary.

With the new permanent courts, once you learn the sport, you can play with friends and family whenever you wish. If you have any questions, please call Bill Beardsley (973.764.7730) or Dori Zaar (973.764.1648).