Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I can't seem to get Spond working?
A. Try removing the app and then reinstall it on your device. (click here )
Once you have the app on your phone, tablet or pc, you may need to wait for a few minutes for one of our admin to "accept" you on Spond and give you access to the games available. If you have not got access on Spond within a few hours, then send us an email an let us know you're waiting for access to Spond.
Once you have the app on your phone, tablet or pc, you may need to wait for a few minutes for one of our admin to "accept" you on Spond and give you access to the games available. If you have not got access on Spond within a few hours, then send us an email an let us know you're waiting for access to Spond.
Q. My partner and I have tried to join Spond but it won't take both of us?
A. The second person will need to go onto a different phone (from the one you already have a Spond account on) and set up a new Spond account. You will also need to use a different email address from the first person. If you try to use the same device and put in a second email, it doesn't usually work, as it remembers the first email in the background and won't usually allow you to create a new person.
Q. My partner and I want to both join Torquay Pickleball but our skill level is different (I am more experienced, whereas my partner is a learner) what do we do?
A. Create two separate accounts in Spond. Then you book into a level you feel suits your skill (ie lower intermediate, intermediate or advance game - check our Pathway page to give you a better idea) and have your partner book into one of our Come & Try sessions. That way they can enjoy playing at a level and pace they are comfortable with, and you can play in a level you are comfortable with. Once your partner has successfully moved to Step 2 and completed our Learners Skills Session and feels confident to start booking into games, you could both play in our OPEN and SOCIAL games, where we do have a number of couples and families playing.
Q. I attended your Learners Skills Session but I'm still having trouble scoring and serving, what do you suggest?
A. For some people they may need to come along to a number of Learner Skills Sessions until they feel confident in their ability to score and serve and return. Our aim at these sessions is to get you playing comfortably so you can ease straight into a social game. Also playing a game with other Learners Skills people takes a bit of pressure off, as everyone is still learning and you're not holding up a game etc. So keep coming back! For some of us it took AGES to get the scoring right ...let alone dinking etc. .. so you're not alone!
Q. My partner and I work .. so we can only play at night or on the weekend. Can you offer any more night games please?
A. Sadly we are at the mercy of the stadium and what courts they have available and as we have to share with so many other sports, we try our best to get as many sessions as possible for our members. If anyone has a wealthy uncle who loves pickleball and they would like to build a purpose built pickleball stadium in Torquay, we would be thrilled... however until then, we have to work with what we have.
Q. My friends and I are pretty good players of pickleball as we've been playing for a while. Can we bypass the Come & Try Session?
A. If you have been playing pickleball for a while (ie played 10 games or more) and you are familiar with the basics, then you can pick between:-
1/ Go to STEP 2 and follow the directions, (ie download Spond, put in your details etc) and book into our Learners Skills Sessions.
OR
2/ If you're feeling really confident in your game, then head over to our Visiting and Existing Players page and follow the instructions.
1/ Go to STEP 2 and follow the directions, (ie download Spond, put in your details etc) and book into our Learners Skills Sessions.
OR
2/ If you're feeling really confident in your game, then head over to our Visiting and Existing Players page and follow the instructions.
Q. I am a long time tennis player and I don't want to come to the Come & Try because I've played ball sport for years.... can I just book into other games?
A. Although you may have great tennis racket and tennis ball skills, the pickleball bat and balls are extremely different and pickleball scoring is a beast all on it's own! So all tennis, squash, racket ball etc. players are asked to attend our Learners Skills Session. It will open your eyes to just how different (although it may look similar) it is to tennis and there are quite a number of things to learn before heading into a game. So a Learners Skills Session is very worthwhile and it's a great springboard into determining what sessions will best suit your level of play.
Q. I'm a tennis player and I love "smashing" my shots back... I've noticed it's not encouraged.. why is that?
A. Keep in mind a hard plastic pickleball can be a pretty lethal weapon, if you are hit in the face or eye at close range .. so we do not want anyone to leave with any injuries from a game that is supposed to be fun! Sure we understand there may be times when it's "safe" and "strategic" to play a "strong" shot back at your opponents feet, or to an empty space HOWEVER ... please look at who you are playing, as they may not be as experienced as you and we would expect our players to be kind and "pull back" a little and show some self control if their opponents are not as skilled as they are. Anyone can "smash" a shot but it takes skill, finesse and a lot of practice to place a strategic and well positioned soft shot, just out of your opponents reach. We encourage all our players to play PICKLEBALL .. and not SMASH'em Tennis! If you are having trouble with managing or winding back your hard shots, then may we suggest attending our Drills n Skills sessions, to fine tune your pickleball playing style. Having excellent dinking skills can win you a game! BE ADMIRED AND REVERED >> NOT FEARED each time you come onto the court :-)
Q. I'm very confused by the DUPR ratings .. is there anyone who can explain how it all works?
A. Head on over to our DUPR playing page and it should help answer questions you may have. CLICK HERE
Q. Can my husband and I just turn up at the stadium and have a game?
A. Sorry no. Due to insurance and the fact all our members book on Spond and our games are then played via the numbers booked on Spond, we ask anyone wishing to come and play pickleball, to go through our process of Step 1 and or Step 2 (in STEPS FOR NEW & SOCIAL PLAYERS page). If you have both played 10 games or more of pickleball, then please read the steps in the page "VISITING & EXISTING PLAYERS". The steps for those people who have played 10 games or more is very straight forward and it doesn't take long.
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