Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (Court Day #923)
Big news, Joola has filed a lawsuit against 11 other paddle companies with regard to their core technology:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/thekitchenPB/permalink/2408611612986537/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Teaching
I sent Scotts Valley Parks & Rec a required IRS W-9 form in preparation for teaching classes through them this summer. They also require me to have them to be specifically named on a liability insurance policy. So I reached out to PPR (where I get my annual certification) about adding an insurance rider in addition to my standard coaching insurance. It’s another $90 to add SV.
There is a lot more paperwork and more expenses when teaching through the Parks & Rec department directly than when I was teaching for them through Rec.us which organized classes and reservations for them. Between their city administrative fee and the additional insurance and the nonresident fee for students registering, even with their 60%/40% (instructor/city) split, I still end up making about the same or even less through their program than I did through their expiring contract with Rec.us.
No Gear
With my wife off for spring break and my work demands, I ended up not going home for lunch today to take out and feed the dogs, so I didn’t have the opportunity to pick up all my pickleball gear midday. Instead, I ended up leaving work a bit early at 5:45 p.m., asking my nephew to close the business.
I drove home, changed, grabbed my stuff, then was on my way lickety-split to Scotts Valley.
Perhaps ironically, Jess had suggested to me at Skypark last week to try to keep at least some pickleball gear in my car so that I am ready at all times. That is hard to argue with! Though I would not be too keen on keeping a paddle that I really care about in a really hot car for long periods of time. I can’t imagine that it would be good on the various adhesives found in a paddle.
Skypark
I was walking into the courts by 6:20 p.m.
My first game was teamed up with Paul’s young son Declan against Paul and tall Dan. (Not Daniel Borlean.) We lost, as expected, but it wasn’t too bad. I think the game ended 5–11 or 6–11.
Alex, the bird researcher, and I played against Leo, who I had just seen a Derby Park two days ago, and a tall newer player named Shane. (There is a younger, shorter Shane who was there tonight also.) Before the game started, I was kind of kidding with Alex saying that I was expecting us to win 15–0. It wasn’t too far off. We were leading 10–0 when Alex got into some kind of battle with Leo when Alex hit the ball into the net giving them a point. But that would be the last and only point that they would make in the game. We finished them off with our next service, winning 11-1.
Matt, Alex, Aaron H.
After a few games against and with weaker players, I decided to hang out with Matt Babb until we could find two more similar skill players. Alex was done and we grabbed him and then Aaron Hicks came off of a game so we grabbed him too and then we had four.
I teamed up with Aaron and, in the first game, Aaron and I got spanked 4–11.
We switched sides and played again and we were much happier with the outcome of this game. We absolutely clobbered Matt and Alex winning 11–1.
The third and final game was much closer. At one point we were down 4-6, but then we tied it up 6–6, then took the lead 8–6. We were serving with a lead of 10-8 when the lights clicked out.
In that third game, Aaron and I were initially doing a poor job communicating properly for shots down the middle. But we did tighten that up after about five minutes of play.
It went from 66° and sunny to 59° and dark over the two hours I was there.
In one of the later games in the evening, my partner Aaron had just served and the service return came to him. Of our two opponents, he hit a drive to the one set at the net who simply drove the ball off a court for a winner. I wasn’t upset by the shot, but I knew it wasn’t the best shot selection. Aaron could’ve very easily hit to our opponent who was moving in. That would’ve made it a much more difficult shot than the stationary opponent.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (No Play)
I found this to be interesting… just how expensive it is to break into pro pickleball. The spectator tickets are high, pro registration to compete is high, youth “Next Gen” registration to compete is high… it makes it hard to go pro:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DW18hOxlSRN
Yet another example of why you want to wear eye protection!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW453vLiQAh
Another Pickleball Facility
Another dedicated commercial pickleball facility is opening up in the Silicon Valley… Ace Pickleball Club in San Jose:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 (No Play)
I had a board meeting for the Santa Cruz Art League tonight, of which I had completely forgotten. So, while at lunch I had grabbed all my pickleball gear, there would be no play for me tonight!
This afternoon I sent copies of my instructor insurance as well as the new insurance rider covering the City of Scotts Valley to them. At this point, all their insurance requirements are now taken care of.
Foot
The top of my left foot was bothering me after my play on Tuesday night. It’s kind of weird, like I strained something. Regardless, it’ll get a break tonight.
Friday, April 10, 2026. (No Play)
Apparently there’s a new pickleball reality series coming out called “Partners”, connected with the PPA.
Another Pickleball Movie
And a new pickleball movie. I hope it’s better than the Lifetime network one that came out over Christmas that was roundly ridiculed.
Here’s a link to the film studio:
https://www.pinelinestudios.com/pickleball
Weather
It’s not looking good for play the next few days!
Saturday, April 11, 2026 (No Play)
Mike Cattivera texted me asking if I wanted to be a fourth at The Hub tomorrow afternoon. I’ve never been to The Hub in Campbell and I certainly would like to go sometime. However, tomorrow afternoon is a fundraising sale at the Santa Cruz Art League from 3 to 6 p.m., proceeded by a memorial for one of the art instructors an hour before that. I had to tell him no.
I had to work today and it was a little consolation to me to know that no one else was playing outside either with the rain continuing off and on all day.
DUPR Grumbling
Win a tournament decisively but still have your DUPR rating go down? Ouch!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXAhr2UksE1/
Number of days on a court: 923
Number of total hours: 3,442.5
Number of paid coaching hours: 209.5
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