North Carolina

Pickleball at Montreat

Program No. 23769RJ
Learn about a new racket sport — pickleball — as you learn from enthusiastic instructors and enjoy some friendly competition in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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At a Glance

Discover one of the fastest-growing sports in America as you try your hand at pickleball! Created in the 1960s, pickleball is played by over two million Americans. This racket sport combines elements of tennis and badminton, using a paddle and whiffle ball on a small court. With less running and longer rallies, this game offers opportunities for hours of fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn from IPTPA Certified Pickleball Professionals as you enjoy some light-hearted competition. Plus, get the chance to explore lovely Asheville during free time!
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Several hours of pickleball daily.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn the rules and techniques of pickleball from experts on the game.
  • Develop new strategies through driving, dinking, lobbing and attacking drills, and enjoy rousing hours of play on the court.
  • Take in the peaceful surroundings of the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the quaint city of Asheville.

General Notes

Itinerary and skill levels vary by date.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Russell Elefterion
Russell Elefterion is a 36-year-employee with the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department/Tampa. He has been involved with pickleball since 2009. His interest began while officiating matches at the Tampa Bay Senior Games, leading to him taking up the sport and developing pickleball programs in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. Coach Russell divides his time in Florida and North Carolina and offers his Suncoast Pickleball "boot camp" programs at Montreat each year. He is an accomplished player and an IPTPA Certified Pickleball Professional.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Russell Elefterion
Russell Elefterion View biography
Russell Elefterion is a 36-year-employee with the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department/Tampa. He has been involved with pickleball since 2009. His interest began while officiating matches at the Tampa Bay Senior Games, leading to him taking up the sport and developing pickleball programs in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. Coach Russell divides his time in Florida and North Carolina and offers his Suncoast Pickleball "boot camp" programs at Montreat each year. He is an accomplished player and an IPTPA Certified Pickleball Professional.
Profile Image of Paul Coletta
Paul Coletta View biography
Paul Coletta is from Flat Rock, N.C. and has won Gold Medals in both singles and doubles at the U.S. Open and at Nationals in Indian Wells California. He is one of the most sought after pickleball instructors in the nation! Paul began playing pickleball when he lived in San Diego after playing tennis and squash for most of his life. He loves to share his knowledge with other players and help the sport grow in popularity!
Profile Image of Tracy Bailey
Tracy Bailey View biography
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
May 26 - May 31
  • May 26 - May 31
  • Aug 25 - Aug 30
  • Sep 22 - Sep 27
  • Sep 29 - Oct 04
  • Oct 06 - Oct 11
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
May 26 - May 31, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This session is for players who already know the rules and have a higher skill level of 3.5 and above. Skills and techniques being introduced and mastered include third shot drops, transitioning to the net, resetting the ball, how to win more points at the No Volley Zone (NVZ), what to do with opponent's lobs, as well as playing smart and winning pickleball!
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
May 26 - May 31
  • May 26 - May 31
  • Aug 25 - Aug 30
  • Sep 22 - Sep 27
  • Sep 29 - Oct 04
  • Oct 06 - Oct 11
May 26 - May 31, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This session is for players who already know the rules and have a higher skill level of 3.5 and above. Skills and techniques being introduced and mastered include third shot drops, transitioning to the net, resetting the ball, how to win more points at the No Volley Zone (NVZ), what to do with opponent's lobs, as well as playing smart and winning pickleball!
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Montreat, NC
D
Assembly Inn

Activity note: Designed for players that already know the rules and have a skill level of 3.5 or higher. Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Pull up to the Assembly Inn porch to unload, then park your vehicle in any designated spot close by the Inn or by the lake.

Afternoon: Important note: This session is for players that already know the rules and have a skill level of 3.5 and above. Skills and techniques being introduced and mastered include third shot drops, transitioning to the net, resetting the ball, how to win more points at the No Volley Zone (NVZ), what to do with opponent's lobs, as well as playing smart and winning pickleball! Assembly Inn check-in 3:00-5:30 p.m. Pull up to the Assembly Inn porch to unload, then park your vehicle in any designated spot close to the Inn or by the lake and check in. Program Registration. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Feel free to relax in your room, meet and enjoy fellowship with other participants in the beautiful lobby, or stretch your legs with a walk around the campus before dinner.

Dinner: In the Assembly Inn dining room, we'll enjoy a buffet with choice of two entrées, vegetables, a complete salad bar, bread, and desserts; milk, coffee, tea, water available.

Evening: Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. If you cannot stay through lunch at the end of the program, boxed lunches will be available; please make your request for one by the evening of Day Five. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After orientation, we'll get to know each other with icebreaker activities followed by refreshments in the lobby. Enjoy fellowship with fellow students around card and board games in the main lobby. A television is also available to keep you up to date on what’s going on in the world.

DAY
2
Player verification ratings, dinking strategies and drills
Montreat, NC
B,L,D
Assembly Inn

Activity note: Designed for players that already know the rules and have a skill level of 3.5 or higher. Walking to the courts; 3 hours of instruction and play for the morning, 1.5 hours of play in the afternoon. Extent and duration of elective afternoon walking dependent on personal preference.

Breakfast: In the dining room, we'll pick from a plentiful buffet of breakfast favorites. Items change daily, but may include biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, hash browns, fresh oatmeal, among others. Permanent options include fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola, baked pastries, juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Get ready for a week of exercise, fun and honing our pickleball skills! At the Dunn Pavilion (covered recreational area) or the Patricia Cornwell Tennis Center (laykold courts)... depending on weather for the week). We'll begin with player verification ratings, to help everyone determine their skill levels and match the players with someone of comparable level. The assessment will be followed by dinking strategies and drills (driving, dinking, lobbing, attacking). What fun! A refreshment break (at our play location) will keep us going!

Lunch: In the dining room, we'll select from a buffet of meats, vegetables, starches, homemade soup, a full salad bar, and desserts; beverage choices of milk, regular and decaf coffee, iced tea, water.

Afternoon: Starting back shortly after lunch, we'll have an hour and a half of free play with coaching tips from our pros. Following play time, you may elect to walk around Montreat, where you can visit the Heritage Center and hear history stories and learn about some of the buildings and people in Montreat.

Dinner: In the dining room.

Evening: Our evening program will feature a local musician/band or storyteller. After the performance, the rest of the evening is at leisure, with activities available in the lobby of the Inn for fellowship.

DAY
3
Mid-court strategies and drills
Montreat, NC
B,L,D
Assembly Inn

Activity note: Walking to the courts; 3 hours of instruction and play for the morning, 1.5 hours of play in the afternoon.

Breakfast: In the dining room.

Morning: Our Pickleball professionals will review activities from the day before and answer any questions we may have about those elements requiring clarification or reinforcement before leading a clinic focusing on mid-court strategies and drills. Mid-morning, we'll enjoy some refreshments and fellowship and then another session of shot strategies and drills to keep opponents back. Mid-morning, we'll enjoy some refreshments and fellowship.

Lunch: in the Assembly Inn dining room.

Afternoon: We’ll enjoy another afternoon of supervised round robin play. Afterwards, if you have the energy and interest, there is a good chance for a walk in the woods.

Dinner: In the dining room.

Evening: Our evening activity may consist of a dance, concert, or a visit from a storyteller. Afterwards, we'll have games, cards, and a TV available in the lobby.

DAY
4
Lobs, Overhead Strategies and Drills, Free Aft, Line Dancing
Montreat, NC
B,L,D
Assembly Inn

Activity note: Walking to the courts; 3 hours of instruction and play for the morning. Walking to the barn; line dancing approximately 1 hour.

Breakfast: In the dining room.

Morning: After reviewing the lessons from our first two days, today’s instruction will focus on lobs and overhead strategies and drills. A mid morning refreshment and fellowship break will keep us hydrated and our energy up! After, we'll learn about playing strategies and ball placement. How to play at a higher level and force your opponents to make a mistake.

Lunch: In the dining room.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: In the dining room, we'll sit down for a delicious farm-to-table meal from a number of area sources.

Evening: Tonight is time for line dancing! Let's keep going with some music and movement. Cards, puzzles, and board games are available in the lobby of the Inn for more fellowship and enjoyment.

DAY
5
Playing as a team / Playing as a single / Slow Game / Defend
Montreat, NC
B,L,D
Assembly Inn

Activity note: Walking to the courts; 3 hours of instruction and play for the morning, 1.5 hours of play in the afternoon.

Breakfast: In the dining room.

Morning: The pickleball staff will review the objectives of the first three days and incorporate what we've already covered. Next, we'll explore the strategies of working as a team, how to play more effectively with your partner. Then on to strategies of playing as a single and earning the net. How to slow up the game, defend against hard hitters and more. Supervised round robin play after the lesson will provide the opportunity to practice these new techniques. There will be refreshments to keep us going.

Lunch: In the dining room.

Afternoon: We’ll enjoy our last afternoon of supervised round robin play.

Dinner: In the dining room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We’ll gather for a last evening together as a group (probably a concert), followed by an opportunity for games/cards/TV in lobby for fellowship. Prepare for check-out and departure after lunch tomorrow. Be sure to sign up for a box lunch if you can't stay through lunch on Friday.

DAY
6
Wrap-up & Q&A, Program Concludes
Montreat, NC
B,L

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: In the dining room.

Morning: Our week will wrap up with a video and a Q&A session with the pickleball staff. This is an opportunity to refresh ourselves on specific points of play or situations you may have encountered during the week. We’ll all leave for home with a new set of skills and new friends! Our program will conclude by 10:30 a.m., giving us some time to check out of our rooms by 11:00 a.m. and take an opportunity to take one last walk around the lake or visit the stores before lunch.

Lunch: In the dining room. Those who requested box lunches can pick them up anytime after breakfast. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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