Pickleball | Canmore Seniors Association

Welcome to the Canmore Seniors Association (CSA) pickleball group.

*** NEW ***

To improve availability of weekly CSA signups, the following changes have been made to weekly sign ups. Effective March 17, 2025, initial signups will be limited to one signup per player. On the Sunday, after 4 PM, you may sign up for an additional 2 signups, making 3 total, for the week. If you have already signed up for the maximum 3 sessions for that week but notice an open session spot at your level you can now sign up for an extra session after 9 PM the night before — in the COMMENTS state: Same day sign up.

A pickleball volunteer will monitor this and change any mistakes or violations.

We use an app called SignUpGenius and you will start receiving a weekly invite. If you click on the SIGN UP button you will be taken to the schedule.

For details including screenshots of how to sign up after receiving this invite, see canmoreseniors.org/pickleball-signup

A volunteer will try to send out the schedule sometime Thursday. The sessions in the schedule change each week, depending on what other uses the gym is being use for such as table tennis, Lifelong Learning presentations, private functions, etc.

When the schedule comes out on Thursday players are allowed to sign up for only 1 session until Sunday. On Sunday, after 4 PM, players may sign up for additional available signups not exceeding 3 total for the week. If you have already signed up for the maximum 3 sessions for that week but notice an open session spot at your level you can now sign up for an extra session after 9 PM the night before — in the COMMENTS state: Same day sign up. This will be monitored and any excess, time violations, will result in deletion. Our goal is to increase slots for ALL players.

Please always read the note in the signup invite and in the header at the top of the signup page, as the rules may change from time to time based on hall availability.

There are paddles you can use in the Pickleball locker (room). Balls are provided. The sessions are usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length and we allow up to 8 people to sign up for each Novice, Intermediate or Advance session.

We have approximately 200+ participants.

We have sessions for different skill levels:

NOVICE – beginners or new at the game. Check some YouTube videos to get to know the game and rules.

INTERMEDIATE – You should know the game and rules by now. This is where the majority of our members play in, so you will see more of these sessions. Know the rules and check the SKILLS TABLE below.

INTERMEDIATE NO SLAM – as above, with slamming discouraged

ADVANCED – This is the top group and the game is played fast. KNOW THE RULES

OPEN – Anyone can sign up for these sessions but its mainly a mixture of high Intermediate and Advance level of play.

DEVELOPMENT – When we have members that are ADVANCED and are willing to mentor others, we will set up sessions that have 4 members able to learn from a more advanced member. These session are normally a hour in length.

Where do you fit? See: Skill Levels

READ THE NOTE ON EACH WEEKLY SCHEDULE INVITE – it will say whether you are allowed to sign up for 1 or for 2 sessions until Sunday. From Sunday on, you can sign up for more sessions
Do not jump between Novice, Intermediate or Advanced levels if your session type is full. This allows more players an opportunity to sign up for a session.
It is YOUR responsibility to show up for a session that you have signed up for. If you can’t make it, TAKE YOUR NAME OFF FOR THAT SESSION SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN TAKE YOUR PLACE. If you have a SignUpGenius account you can delete yourself from a session, otherwise you can email a volunteer at pickleball@canmoreseniors.org to make any changes to your signup.

One comment we often hear is “I don’t know the pickleball regulations and rules.” IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE LEARN & KNOW THE RULES. If you are a beginner/novice work at learning them. There are some good basic and full PB regulations, RULES AND PLAY videos on YouTube, e.g.:

Pickleball FAQ

How do I keep score?

Where can I play pickleball in Canmore?

Indoor

Canmore Seniors Centre 600B 9 Street , CSA members only, 1 indoor court, register to play through CSA.

Canmore Recreation Center Room 200, 1900 8 Avenue , winter only, 2 indoor courts, temporary nets used. Gymnasium flooring.

Outdoor

Veterans Park 925 9 Street , tennis courts which are reconfigured as 4 pickleball courts on certain days, see Bow Valley Pickleball Association.

Cougar Creek Rink, Elk Run Blvd , painted lines, rough surface, your own net to be provided.

Larch Rink Courts, 1200 17 Street , 4 courts. Concrete surface.

Who is the CSA Pickleball Group?

Our group is a mixed league. Ages range from 55 - 90 +. There are currently 260 players at the Senior Centre alone.

We have options for skills levels Novice, Intermediate, Intermediate No Smash, Intermediate/Advance Open and Advanced. Important to note, you may only book and play at one level, no going between levels. Historically, the majority of players in our association, fall into the intermediate category.

If your skills diminish or have an injury affecting your skill level, you can drop down to a lower skill level. Weekly or frequent changes are not permitted.

Occasionally, workshops are held to help improve your skills. The workshops will be on the weekly sign up sheet when offered.

Why are the CSA hall doors locked?

For the safety and security of all CSA members and the building, the doors to the CSA building will be locked at all times. There is a pickleball-specific door code that is provided on request to CSA members on the pickleball group list, email: pickleball@canmoreseniors.org.

Do you allow friends or visitors to play?

No, sorry. You must be an active member of the Canmore Seniors Centre. The home page of this website, canmoreseniors.org, has membership registration information. Once you’ve received a member number, contact pickleball@canmoreseniors.org via email and we will add you to the sign-up distribution list.

Can I sign up for others?

You are allowed to sign up for yourself plus one other person, provided that both are paid-up CSA members.

How do I sign up?

The signups are through the website SignUpGenius, as described here. There are also YouTube videos on its use, if you need help or want more information.

Link to help one get started in Pickleball below

pickleheads.com/guides/how-to-play-pickleball

The schedule comes out on Thursdays, for the next weeks bookings. The Seniors centre administration provides us with time slots that are for Pickleball play. The weeks schedule is created and sent out via email later that Thursday.

The welcome page has notes indicating how many times you may sign-up to start. The number of Thursday initial booking changes weekly. Please read the welcome page to avoid your requests being deleted.

On the following Sunday, all available signups are fair game, you can now sign up for available additional slots within your playing level. Historically, the majority of players in our association, fall into the intermediate category.

Slots are generally between 1.5 and 2 hours in length with 8 players per session. Games are 11 minutes, a timer is available.

Distribution of the sign up is via email blast. We need a valid email address to include players in our distribution, Let us know if there are changes to your email! Only Canmore Senior Association members can register and play. Membership must be in good standing.