Etiquette

There is a specific etiquette of how to get on the courts at Waneka Lake, and we know it can be a little intimidating for new comers.  But we are here to help you through it, and soon you will be rotating in like a pro!

The easiest way to figure it out is to stop reading this, and just ask anyone at the courts - everyone is super friendly and wants to help you

If you insist on reading this instead, here goes:

The basics

Whenever there are people waiting to get on the courts, the proper etiquette is to play doubles in a single game to 11 (win by 2) and then all come off the court.  No winner stays on.  So all 4 people would come off the court.

Then the next four people from the paddle rack (more about that in a moment) would go on to the newly available court.  The four people who just came off would put their paddles back on the rack at the end (with the winners of the game putting their paddles up first).

The paddle rack

The paddle rack works left-to-right.  When the four paddles come off in the left-most positions (slots 1 and 2), all the rest of the paddles shift down.  Two paddles per slot on the rack.

If there are 2 of you playing together - all is easy.  If there is 1, 3, or 4 of you, it gets trickier.

If there is only one of you, put your paddle up in the first available spot.  Then, another single will come pair up with you by partnering their paddle with yours.  Bingo - you just made a new friend!  If there are no other singles, but there are lots of other doubles waiting, it is customary to let the doubles skootch ahead of you until another single becomes available.

If there are 4 of you, put all your paddles up together in a way so that all 4 would rotate in together.  So, if there are 8 slots on the rack, put your 4 paddles in slots 1 and 2, or 3 and 4, or 5 and 6, or 7 and 8.  This way, as you move up in position, all 4 of you will eventually get to positions 1 and 2 together, and on to a court together.  Don't put your paddles in slots 2 and 3, or 4 and 5, or 6 and 7, cause then it won't work as you shift forward (it has something to do with math).  Now here is the tricky part.  If slots 1 and 2 and 3 are taken, don't take slots 4 and 5, because the math won't work out (see above).  Instead, take slots 5 and 6, leaving slot 4 empty for a team of 2 to skootch in before you.  Yes, you are giving up a spot in line, but that is the price you pay for wanting to play as a foursome.

If there are 3 of you, combine what you have learned from the 1-person and 4-person scenarios above.  We know you can do it.

FAQ

• Do I seriously have to follow these instructions and wait this long?

  • Yes, please.  But here's the thing, people rotate through way faster than you might expect.  Each game usually lasts about 15 minutes, so with 4 games going on at once, people are rotating through every 5 minutes or so.

• What should I do if all the slots are full when I get there?

  • Hmm, that's a good question.  Maybe go for a nice walk around the lake (its quite beautiful) and check back in to see if it has gotten less crazy.

• What should I do if I just wanna play with my little kids who can barely hit the ball

  • Our recommendation is to follow the instructions above for a group of 4, and then just get on a court and screw around for 15 minutes or so, then come off.

• What if we wanna play singles?

  • Unfortunately, that is not really possible while there are people waiting.  If that is really important to you, we recommend some of the indoor establishments around town where you can reserve a private court for an hour.

• Who's job is it to shift the paddles down?

  • Anyone!  Even you.  After the 4 paddles are removed from slots 1 and 2 anyone can shift all the paddles down 2 slots.  Just be sure to preserve the singles and any intentional gaps left.

• What should I do while I am waiting?

  • Stretch.

• What should I do after I am done stretching?

  • Chat with other like-minded folk.  If you are uncomfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, we recommend opening up with a comment about the weather.  Or better yet, ask them if they are familiar with picklepeeper.com!

• This seems too complicated.  I'm just gonna stay home.

  • Please don't.  I know it sounds complicated and intimidating - but that's why we put this page together for you, so it would be less scary.  We know what it is like to feel scared, and nobody likes that feeling.  We promise once you do it once or twice, it will be super easy from there on.