Pickleball
Come check out pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the United States. A combination of tennis, badminton, and paddleball, it is played on a smaller version of a tennis court, with graphite paddles and a whiffle ball. It is easy to learn; fun for youth, adult, and senior players; a good workout; and very social as well as competitive. Players will meet and compete against other players of similar skills levels.
Six lit courts are located at Portola Springs Community Park.
Four lit hybrid tennis and pickleball courts are located at San Carlo and Knollcrest Neighborhood Parks. Two courts each park.
For general pickleball questions, please call 949-724-6617 or email pickleball@cityofirvine.org
Pickleball programming includes:
Adult & Private Pickleball Lessons
City of Irvine contract instructors teach adult and private pickleball lessons at Portola Springs Community Park. Adult lessons cater to beginner and intermediate levels.
Register for Adult Group Lessons
Instructor: Jay Unantenne
Jehan Unantenne, simply known as Jay, has had a passion for sports from a very early age. Growing up in Sri Lanka, Jay was fortunate enough to excel at numerous sports including Water Polo, Tennis, Table Tennis, and Rugby, ultimately playing Water Polo for the Sri Lanka National Team. Jay immigrated to the United States in 2011. Being an avid sportsman, Jay was drawn to the new sport of Pickleball and within a very short time, he mastered the game! He became an International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) certified instructor, giving private lessons and also conducting classes for the City of Orange.
Jay is now the Tournament Director for Tustin Pickleball, with many successful tournaments under his belt, in addition to being a sponsored player for the TOPP brand. In May 2018, Jay won Gold in the Men's Open Pro division at the Tustin Memorial Day Pickleball Tournament. He has con-ducted several Pickleball clinics and boot camps in California, Nevada and Arizona. Jay serves as an United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) ambassador for Pickleball for Orange County.
For private lessons, please call 949-724-6617 or email pickleball@cityofirvine.org for instructor contact information. Schedule a time and day with the instructor prior to registering for a private lesson.
Orange County Team Pickleball (OCTP)
This recreational coed league for adults is played on Wednesday nights at Portola Springs Community Park. 3.0 and 3.5-4.0 skill level divisions will be offered. Matches start at 6:45 p.m. with 15 minutes of warm-up prior to the start of the match. A team match consists of men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles. Teams consist of a minimum of two men and two women. League runs eight-ten weeks. Every team makes the playoffs. For more information about the league, please call 949-724-6617 or email pickleball@cityofirvine.org
Memorial Day Pickleball Tournament
Saturday, May 25 - Monday, May 27
Come test your and your partner’s skills against players of the same skill level at this United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) sanctioned weekend doubles tournament. Skill Levels 3.0-5.0 and Open levels for Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles. Winners of each event will receive an award.
All players must have a current USAPA Membership and Pickleballtournaments.com profile to register for the tournament.
Create Pickleballtournaments.com Profile
Location: Portola Spring Community Park
Skill levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0
Events: Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
Age Divisions: 18 and Older, 50 and Older, 60 and Older (Super Seniors)
Saturday, May 25: Men's Open, Women's Doubles, and Super Seniors
Sunday, May 26: Mixed Doubles and Super Seniors
Monday, May 27: Women's Open, Men's Doubles, and Super Seniors
Players must find their own partner
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 1
Fee: $60 per player, Irvine Residents; $65 per player, non-Irvine Residents (+$5, if playing in more than one event)
Tournament Director: Jay Unantenne
For additional information, please go to Pickleballtournaments.com or call 949-724-6785 or email pickleball@cityofirvine.org.
