Pickleball Camp Planning: Where Strategic Play Meets Must-Visit Clinics
- Craig Johnson
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
I'm always on the lookout for coaching help and local clinics to up my game (and maybe one day boost my DUPR too). I’ve also started seeing pickleball clinics as more than just training sessions; they’re a clever way to spice up my travel plans. Just like hunting for music events (another passion of mine), adding some pickleball play makes my trips way more fun and memorable.
With winter getaways on my mind currently, I've been doing some serious digging to curate a list of leading coaches, influencers or dedicated facilities for 2026 trips. My selection criteria focuses on direct instruction (small groups), the opportunity to meet like minded players and the facility's overall setup.
Here is my short list that I am targeting currently...
I really admire Jonny's approach and his background developing curriculum for major organizations. His latest venture — combining clinics with competitions via his podcast show — is a fun model for local club activation, maximizing a players experience. Ugh! It seems I just missed The Jonny Pickleball Show when he visited the Ottawa area recently. I’ll definitely be watching for a warm-weather clinic visit in the new year.
Kyle's engaging and informative videos from That Pickleball School and on YouTube have been invaluable in my journey. The content is both fun and insightful. Attending an in-person event with Kyle and his team is the next logical step in following his play and to see where my skill refinement matches up. I’m always searching for an event that pairs top-tier instruction like what Kyle offers, but with a fun destination. Attending in-person with 'That Pickelball School' would be an awesome bucket list type experience I'm sure.
Pictona In Holly Hill is an impressive facility located in Daytona, Florida. I loved this venue during a PPA Tour stop that I attended last December. While the PPA event of course occupied the entire place when visiting, I knew that I wanted to get back to play more on their courts and take in all what there is to offer including on-site pros, their own hosted clinics and multi-day camps. Pictona’s 2026 camp schedule is now posted too. To sign up, do so by using the CourtReserve app.
Pictona's proximity to Daytona Beach and the Florida ocean of course is another added bonus when travelling down from north of the border in winter months.
Recap
These three options represent the best from my current search: curriculum-driven models, high-quality instruction and dedicated facilities. I know I can't go wrong booking any of these, or ultimately planning a stop with each over the winter is what I'm pushing for. I'm excited to book my first 2026 strategic travel-and-skill trip soon. Stay tuned for more on dates and updates on my pickleball camp bookings!
What camps or clinics do your recommend? Which destinations or hosts offer the best combination of education and travel value?
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