Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced amateur player, there are lessons and clinics available for everyone.
There are programs tailored to your skill level and needs, starting from introductory clinics for absolute beginners, some of which are offered by DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), to advanced skill level clinics & lessons offered by our Certified Coach Steve Valiant.
Steve has been playing in tournaments across the U.S. for more than 10+ years at a 4.5 level, and he has been winning medals. He has helped hundreds of beginners and more advanced players to play effectively in recreational and tournament play. His patience and encouragement will help you to improve your game.
Beginners classes are available for a small fee to anyone interested in learning the basics of the sport, both from DPR and from Steve Valiant. WDCP members receive a discount on all classes taken with Steve after the initial class. Covered topics are:
These classes are also available for a small fee. WDCP members receive a discount on all classes taken. The introductory topics above are reviewed briefly, and then these topics are added:
Introductory and Intermediate beginners’ classes are offered at several outdoor DC courts, weather permitting. To sign up for any of these offerings, please check with DPR’s website or email wdcpickleball@gmail.com. Steve and his colleague Maya Ben-David will schedule you for one of the upcoming sessions. Bring your paddle, if you have one, or borrow one for the lesson.
We also offer participation in an ad hoc beginners’ group, which is open to WDCP members only, to encourage ad hoc play among beginners so they can practice the skills they are learning. To join the group, you would download the free software meet-up application from your app store, for which you will need a code. Contact wdcpickleball@gmail.com. Please do not share the code with anyone else. If you reach the point that you no longer consider yourself a “beginner”, simply remove your name from that group list. We have others to suggest.
These clinics are offered on many different days at outdoor courts, weather permitting. Contact Maya & Steve at wdcpickleball@gmail.com for times and locations. The clinics are very popular and often fill up fast, so if you’re interested sign up soon!
Open to WDCP members only for a small fee, these clinics are usually held weekly during the weekday mornings & weekends at Palisades, Hearst and Turkey Thicket. Topics and skills covered for this group are:
For two other, higher skill levels, 3.0 and 3.5: Open to WDCP members only, these clinics are typically held once per week and focus on skills and techniques appropriate to these two levels. See respective topics and skills below. Demand will drive the frequency and scheduling of these clinics. They are very popular, so sign up soon!
Private and semi-private lessons are available throughout the week. To sign up for the those clinics and lessons, and for any other questions, contact Maya & Steve at wdcpickleball@gmail.com.
We hope to see you on the pickleball court!
If you would like to read up on how to play and watch some very helpful videos, please use the links at the bottom of the page to visit the USA Pickleball official website.
Get Started and Get Hooked!
Get the Upper Hand at Any Level...
We invite you to join Washington DC Pickleball for full-time play — or simply drop in at one of our play sites to see what pickleball is about and to decide to learn the game with introductory lessons. If you’re just visiting DC, please feel free to come by and join the fun with us.
Click on location to get directions
For more updated information on where to play pickleball in Washington DC, please visit our Where To Play Pickleball page.
WPC members receive a 5% discount at www.pickleballcentral.com. Each time you use the discount, the WDCP also receives a 5% credit to use on balls, etc. Discount code provided to members after they join.
