The Denman Activity Centre (DAC) encourages an active lifestyle. The gym hosts dances, martial arts, and sports like pickleball. Pickleball, played with a perforated plastic ball and paddles on a netted court, is easy to learn and fun for all ages.
Participants must wear clean, non-marking indoor court shoes. Outdoor footwear is not allowed. Paddles and balls are available for new participants or guests. New players are welcome.
In 2022, the Denman Island Pickleball Club was formed to give its members access to Pickleball BC and Pickleball Canada for recreation grants. Membership also allows participation in tournaments and play at other clubs. The club charges a one-time fee and organizes social gatherings and private lessons. The club is not affiliated with the Activity Centre; it supports pickleball players who are also members of the Fitness Centre and enjoy regularly scheduled sessions for play.
Pickleball has become popular on Denman Island, with players from beginners to advanced levels. To accommodate everyone, we’ve set general play levels based on the provincial Pickleball organization (https://www.pickleballbc.ca/rankings–ratings.html). This helps new players or guests choose time slots that are most relevant to them.
Denman pickleball players enjoy both exercise and social engagement. Some compete in tournaments, while others play recreationally to improve their skills by moving between different sessions. New players and guests can book sessions through the DSMS booking agent. Noel Villard offers training once or twice a week.
Players have three options:
- Drop-in play is $3 per person per session for non-fitness centre members and they must be accompanied by a person with a valid fitness centre membership.
- Fitness Centre Membership is $150/year and $75/year for those people under 19 years old who must be accompanied by a parent who is also a member. To apply for membership to the Fitness Centre, click here to fill out the on-line Google form. Follow the instructions on the form. (For questions concerning fitness centre membership information, please contact Sue Stewart at suelognest4@gmail.com.
- Private booking: Rental fees apply, and private bookings will supersede use of the facility by members. Private bookings and special events could include Celebrations of Life, Elections, Social Events and Vaccination Clinics. Scheduling must be coordinated through the DSMS’ Booking Agent, Olena Starchuk at denmanactivitycentrebookings@gmail.com or 250-210-8912.
If you are interested in an introduction to pickleball or are new to playing pickleball on Denman Island, please contact Paddy Broster @ paddy.gary@live.com, phone 250-335-4761 and/or Noel Villard @ nvillard@telus.net, phone 250-335-2120.
See below for explanations of the number levels.
Newest to pickle ball
Level 1.5 – 2.5
Monday 12 – 2 pm; Wednesday 1 – 3 pm; Saturday 2 – 4 pm
Contact: Norah Wright norahjoannew@gmail.com
Intermediate level groups
Level 2-3:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00 – 1:00 pm
Contact: Susanne Beauchemin Susannebeau1@gmail.com
Level 2-3:
Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00-3:00 pm
Contact: DD Fuchs at tdfuchs@gmail.com
Level 2.5 – 3.25:
Sunday 1:00- 3:00 pm; Wednesdays 9:00 am-11:00 am; Friday from 1:00-3:00 pm
Contact: Bill Engleson bengleson@telus.net
Advanced
Level 3.25 – 4.25
Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00 pm -5:00 pm
Contact: Noel Villard nvillard@telus.net
And young couples are playing
Level 2 – 3
Monday from 5-7 pm
Contact: Paola Brodsgaard elizabeth.homestead@gmail.com
Contact: Lindsey McGinn Linzmcginn@gmail.com
Coaching/teaching times at present are Monday mornings from 9 to 11 am and some Saturday mornings.
Explanations of the Levels
Level 1.5 – 2.5: This is the level for players new to pickle ball. Players are learning the basics of play, and one is just starting to understand the rules of pickleball. A player has limited experience playing pickleball, can keep a short rally on the pickleball court, and has a basic understanding of the rules of pickleball.
Level 2 – 3: This level is considered more of an intermediate level of play. Players have played the game at some level, are knowledgeable about the game and are proficient in engaging in multiple plays. Players can generally hit forehand drives, serves, and returns with medium pace, as well as dinks, but generally lack consistency and control (for instance, serves and returns are not consistent and lack depth); players understand the basic strategy and rules of pickleball.
Level 2.5 – 3.25: Players can hit drives, serves, and returns with pace (including developing backhand shots), as well as dinks and drop shots, and are developing some consistency and control (including consistently hitting serves and returns in play). Players are starting to vary shots between the hard and soft game and are moving quickly to the non-volley zone (NVZ) line.
Level 3.25 – 4.25: Players have dependable strokes. They can differentiate between a soft and a hard game and move quickly into an NVZ. Players can generally hit both forehand and backhand drives, serves, and returns with pace, as well as dinks, drop shots, and volleys (including block volleys) of different speeds, and have consistency and control. Players have a moderate number of unforced errors and understand how to attack opponents’ weaknesses on the pickleball court.