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Shannon Paul

Contact information for Shannon Paul

Pickleball

Welcome to Community Ed Pickleball!

Pickleball is a fun, social sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s a great way to get moving, meet people, and build new skills at many ages and ability levels.

My approach to teaching pickleball is simple: Safety first, fun second!

Ready to play? Explore the PCC Community Ed pickleball schedule under “Racquet Sports” in the sports section of the current catalog.

Meet Your Pickleball Instructor: Shannon Paul, M.Ed.
Instructor, Shannon Paul, M.Ed., with a pickleball paddle in hand shows a thumbs up and is in front of a daisy flower background and wearing a daisy flower on her black visor.

Shannon Paul, M.Ed., loves teaching pickleball, especially to new players.

“I just completed the month-long pickleball class with Shannon Diffenderffer [now Paul]. I want to give a shout out to her for teaching an exceptional class. I have more knowledge and confidence to go out and join a group pickleball open-play session. From the first few minutes, I really appreciate the happy, fun environment to learning the game and connecting a group of strangers through the process. She knows how to teach and bring people together.”
– Anne, PCC Community Ed Pickleball Student

  • Certified Level 1 Pickleball Instructor
  • Offered group pickleball instruction in Portland beginning in 2022 after establishing her
  • Helped establish the current PCC Community Ed pickleball program
Answers to yourFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the different levels of pickleball taught by PCC Community Ed?
  • “Beginning Pickleball” – Beginning level pickleball is for brand new players, or those who have not played in a while and need a refresher. Students learn safety, game rules, position etiquette, and stroke basics. This is a structured class, not a drop-in game session. Each week builds on the previous week’s skills and curriculum.Students are welcome to repeat this level, and it is sometimes offered for exclusive subsets of students such as “women between 50-64 years old.”
  • “Intermediate/Advanced Pickleball” – This is the next step in your pickleball journey following the beginning pickleball class. Gameplay continues each week along with drills that explore different strategies that can improve your game. You should be playing at a 2.5 skill level or above as defined by when you join these classes. Students are welcome to repeat this level.
Is there a “waitlist” for your PCC Community Ed class?
  • PCC does not offer a waitlist for these classes, and I can’t make registration changes.
  • If your preferred class is full, here are two options…:
    1. Check the schedule often to see if a spot has opened up…people will drop at the very last minute (see Community Ed pickleball class list below)
    2. Pursue alternative PCC pickleball instruction through “For Credit” Classes
What do I need to bring to class?
Two containers of "indoor" pickleballs sitting on a gym floor.

INDOOR pickleballs have 26 large holes and are meant to be played on gym floors. They can be bought in many different colors.

  1. PCC requests each student bring a 3-ball “sleeve” of INDOOR pickleballs which

    have 26 holes/ball. These can be purchased at many sporting goods stores (e.g. Dick’s Sporting Goods), or online. Please be sure the packaging says “USA Pickleball Approved.” Ball color does not matter. Do NOT bring “outdoor” pickleballs (40 holes/ball) as they are not appropriate for the wooden gym floor.

  2. Please hydrate before class and bring water or an electrolyte drink. Your muscles will thank you!
  3. Your cell phone (yes, this will help you take notes)
  4. A pickleball paddle. Do NOT bring an all “aluminum” paddle or “wooden” paddle as they are heavier and may cause injury. If you do a web search for “How to Buy A Pickleball Paddle” you will find loads of articles and videos online and some websites offer a 30-day trial or “gently used” paddles. Costco sells a two-paddle set by the Selkirk paddle brand that is a good starter paddle for beginners.
  5. Hand towel, headband, visor or ballcap to manage sweat.

What should I wear to class?

  1. Athletic attire, layers are best (it can be helpful to have a pocket for a ball)

     

  2. Flat, court-style shoes that support “multi-directional” movement so your ankle won’t roll. Note: hard-soled court shoes, e.g. basketball/tennis/volleyball are better than soft/foam, running shoes that are designed for forward motion only. Knobby-bottomed shoes (hiking/running) may “stick” to the indoor wooden floor. Feel free to bring more than one pair of shoes to try. Good court shoes are MUCH more important than an expensive paddle.

    Pickleball players holding paddles and standing or kneeling around a logo on a gym floor that says "Friendly House".

    The Friendly House gym in NW Portland.

  3. A ball cap or visor (some find the gym lights bright)
  4. Eye protection is recommended but not required. Additionally, if you wear different types of eyeglasses (e.g. progressives) you may want to bring more than one pair to see how they work as you play.
What if I have to miss the first class?
  • Each semester I have students ask if it is okay to miss the first class due to a conflict. Because I don’t know your experience with recreational sports, it’s hard for me to answer this question.
  • Like all PCC classes, the first class gives you a chance to get to know your instructor’s style and sets the expectations and guidelines for the following classes. I encourage a “joy advocacy” and “I’m learning” philosophy in my classes, and want you to have the best experience that works for your needs.
  • For those who have already taken a class from me and/or already know how to play pickleball, the game rules, position etiquette, etc, missing the first PCC class may not be a big deal. However, if you have limited pickleball experience, or you are restarting after some time away, you may feel a bit lost when you come to the second class.
What are the fitness requirements to play pickleball?
  • Pickleball combines badminton, tennis, and ping pong. Prior experience in racquet sports or athletic activities is helpful, but not required.
  • PCC’s Community Ed attracts players of all ages and abilities. No assumptions are made. My goal is to promote a judgment-free, supportive environment and to welcome all types of learners and athletes to the joys of pickleball.
  • If you are recovering from an injury, struggle with balance, or have a chronic condition that may impact your play, check with your health care provider before playing.
What about parking?
The Friendly House in NW Portland has an indoor gym with pickleball courts.

The Friendly House Community Center, in NW Portland, has an indoor gym with a wooden floor and two pickleball courts.

Free on-street parking is available near , although you may need to circle the neighborhood to find a spot. Two accessible parking spaces are available near the front entrance.

Pickleball Trivia:

The following questions are courtesy of , where you can find more pickleball facts:

  1. Is a pickleball faster or slower than a tennis ball?
  2. What state declared pickleball its official sport in 2022?
  3. Does the name “pickleball” come from a dog named “Pickles?”

Answers: 1) A pickleball travels 1/3 the speed of a tennis ball. 2) The state of Washington, where pickleball was invented in 1965. 3) The name “pickleball” does not refer to actual pickles or a dog by that name. Joan Pritchard, wife of Joel Pritchard, a U.S. Congressman and co-inventor of pickleball, suggested the game benamed after the “pickle boats” in crew, which is a ragtag crew made of leftover rowers.