First Paddle

08/06/2026

👟 Help Us Build a Shoe Library for First Paddle! 👟

Last March, we had to turn away three boys from a First Paddle camp because all they had to wear were Crocs. Pickleball is a fast-moving sport, and the right footwear isn't optional — it's what keeps kids safe and on their feet.

So we're building a Shoe Library: a set of loaner athletic shoes in kids' sizes that will be worn during First Paddle sessions, cleaned, and passed on to the next camper. No child should be turned away from their first game because of what's on their feet.

Here's how you can help: rather than asking for used or hand-me-down shoes, we're raising funds to buy new shoes — so every pair is the right style, properly sized, and ready to go. $25 buys one new pair for the Shoe Library.

We're already off to a great start. Just lastweek, two generous supporters walked up and handed us cash on the spot to buy shoes for kids they'll never even meet. That's the spirit of this program, and we'd love for more of you to join them.

💛 Donate $25 (or more!) to help a kid get on the court.
👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/summer-serve-giving-campaign

👉 www.firstpaddle.org

Every pair we buy means one more kid gets to play their first game of pickleball — the way it's meant to be played. Thank you for helping us make sure no camper is ever turned away.

First Paddle™ is a youth development program operated by the Southern Pickleball Academy.

06/05/2026

Perry Wong and Caitlin Rogers Barry pouring into the next generation of little picklers.

Future champions are built by those willing to pour into them! Perry and Caitlin have years of experience growing the game and mentoring players of all ages throughout the Augusta area.

Watching these little paddlers learn, laugh, compete, and grow reminds us why First Paddle exists. 💛

The future of pickleball is bright because leaders like Perry and Caitlin are helping light the way, one serve, one smile, and one young player at a time.

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

GROVETOWEN, Ga. (WJBF)- Southern Pickleball Academy began four years ago in Aiken County, helping keep the youth and communities healthy through pickleball. Over the years they have donated pickleb…

06/03/2026

✨ Midweek Preview from First Paddle at Fermata ✨

What an incredible week it’s been already!

We wanted to share a few photos from camp as a little midweek preview of all the fun, laughter, learning, and new friendships happening on the courts. Seeing players pick up a paddle, build confidence, and discover a love for the game never gets old.

These moments are exactly why we do what we do. Pickleball has a way of bringing people together, creating community, and reminding us that it’s never too late to learn something new.

Take a peek at some of the highlights so far, and stay tuned there’s more to come! 💛

Special shout out to our junior mentors: Hayden McCarthy and Izzy Aycox

05/21/2026

Southern Pickleball Academy offers double scholarships. Read all about it below: 👇

In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we doubled our scholarship awards and doubled the turnout at our junior tournament. Two milestones at once. That's the kind of growth that reminds us why we do this.

05/17/2026

Sometimes the lessons we teach in First Paddle show up in unusual places...

One of our character lessons in First Paddle is about owning your actions...and that goes for adults as well as kids! With that in mind, I need to own my mistake as Tournament Director. Due to a error in collecting scores, Mark Griffin was left off of the winner's podium at yesterday's Battle of the Paddle Junior Tournament.

Mark actually tied for third place!

I apologize for this error and already have a plan in place to avoid future mistakes like this. And I thank Mark and his parents for being such great sports about this--another lesson we teach in First Paddle.

05/07/2026

Registration is going strong for Battle of the Paddles. This youth pickleball tournament is sponsored by Southern Pickleball Academy.

Register at tinyurl.com/junior-tourney

04/29/2026

Don’t miss out on your free tournament shirt! Register today!

tinyurl.com/junior-tourney

Grab your kids and your Kitchen Blockers for the Battle of the Paddles Youth Tournament on May 16th. EARLY REGISTRATION for the FREE tournament shirt ends tomorrow.

📅 Saturday, May 16
📍 Gregg Park Civic Center – Graniteville, SC
👦👧 Ages 8–18
🔄 Scramble format — no partner needed!

Fast hands. Big smiles. Loud sidelines.
That’s the vibe. That’s the movement.

If your player’s been thinking about jumping in, this is it.

No pressure, just play… and maybe a little friendly chaos 😏

Lock in your spot:
tinyurl.com/junior-tourney

04/24/2026

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Paul Midkiff to talk about something that’s close to our hearts, the continued growth of pickleball not just locally, but across the nation. What stood out most in our conversation was the shared vision between Southern Pickleball Academy and the Southern Pickleball Association: building community, expanding access, and creating more opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels to experience this incredible sport.

It’s encouraging to connect with leaders who understand that pickleball is about more than paddles and courts; it’s about people, purpose, and the power of bringing communities together. When organizations move in alignment with that kind of vision, real impact follows.

Paul gets our vote, hands down! We’re excited about what collaboration like this can mean for the future of pickleball and the lives it will continue to touch along the way.