Pickleball is taking the sports world by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world - alongside padel tennis. Bringing together tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball is fun, social, and fast-paced.
Make the most of the pickleball courts with our inclusive intro to pickleball sessions, social pickleball, free play, and weekly pickleball tournament.
The lowdown
Proud to sponsor the England Seniors Pickleball team at the English Open tournament
Play at Messini, Alana and our two new clubs in Mauritius and Sicily
Easy to play and pick up
Combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis
Coaching and equipment included
For players of all ages and abilities
Inclusive
What is pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in the USA in 1965 by three friends to entertain their children and named after the family's dog, Pickles! Pickleball arrived in Europe in 2011 and has been gaining in popularity ever since.
Even though pickleball is like tennis, it is much more accessible. The court is best described as similar in size to a badminton court with a slightly modified tennis net. The games can be played in singles or doubles and players use solid paddles to hit a plastic ball with small holes over the net.
The ball is much slower than a tennis ball and the service is underarm, so you have a game that is easier to play than tennis and suitable for all ages. Come and give it a go!
Inclusive
How to play pickleball
In Pickleball, the ball is served underarm, and the player serving starts on the right side of the court. The serve is hit diagonally to the opponent's service court. The ball must bounce before it is returned, and the serving side must also let the ball bounce. After which, you can volley or let the ball bounce before hitting it. There is a non-volley zone near the net where players are not allowed to volley the ball.
Points can be scored by both the serving and receiving sides and the first team to reach 11 points with a two-point advantage wins the game.
Inclusive
Pickleball equipment
The paddle looks a little like a larger version of a table tennis paddle – it has a solid surface and no strings. Like tennis rackets, they come in different shapes, sizes, and weights.
The balls are plastic with holes and come in different colours, typically yellow or white.
The equipment is easy to use for all ages and abilities and is lightweight.
Inclusive
Are pickleball lessons included?
Pickleball is an inclusive activity at Messini Beach Club in Greece and Alana Beach Club in Croatia, Neilson x The Ravenala Attitude in Mauritius and Neilson x Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort in Sicily. We have 6 courts at Messini, 2 courts at Alana, 4 courts at Torre del Barone Resort and Ravenala Attitude, all with 'intro to pickleball' coaching sessions included on your holiday. They are a great introduction to the game.
If you want to continue playing, you can book a pickleball court for free play.
In addition to pickleball, we have a daily programme of tennis coaching for all abilities at Messini, Alana, Ravenala Attitude and Torre del Barone Resort plus social tennis, and extras such as super drills (available as a supplement).
Inclusive
Can children play pickleball?
At Messini Beach Club, we offer a 30-minute pickleball session each week for children aged 6 and above during school holidays. At Alana Beach Club, the 30-minute session is exclusively for our Waveriders (14-15 years) and TAG (16-17 years) groups.
Children over the age of 14 can join the adult sessions. Additionally, if you book a court for free play, the whole family, regardless of age, can join in for a fun game of pickleball.
There's also a fantastic range of inclusive kids' clubs for all ages, offering activities like paddle boarding, dinghy sailing, tennis, beach games and so much more.
Buca is an exceptional resort with a huge range of activities to choose from from all watersports ( sailing, paddle boarding, canoeing windsurfing and water skiing) cycling ( road, MTB and electric...
Buca is an exceptional resort with a huge range of activities to choose from from all watersports ( sailing, paddle boarding, canoeing windsurfing and water skiing) cycling ( road, MTB and electric bikes) tennis, pickle ball and loads of fitness classes such as spin, body pump, aqua aerobics , Pilates, yoga and stretch and relax.
All the instructors are knowledgeable enthusiastic and incredibly motivating. There is also an excellent spa and a beautiful glass sided swimming pool.
As Buca has around 50 rooms and is adult only it has a boutique vibe ensuring a relaxed and peaceful holiday.
The staff are fabulous and go out of their way to make the holiday special. Most of the hotel staff are there year on year and meet you like old friends. It’s very special and no wonder there are so many returning guests.
Free wine tasting, cocktail of the day and fresh fruit are bought round daily to the pool side sun beds which makes you feel really pampered. The dining room has a relaxed pleasant feel with proper linen table cloths and napkins at dinner ! Definitely not a cafeteria feel as some hotels but a real restaurant. This year the majority of meals were buffet style and the food on offer had an excellent variety and was of a high standard. Delicious home made ice team and glorious cakes.
We have been three times and will definitely be going again next year if we can get in !!
Frosty was great, he welcomed us on arrival, was always around and waved us off as we left. Great equipment, especially bikes and sailing. We would have liked pickle ball!
On arrival we initially...
Frosty was great, he welcomed us on arrival, was always around and waved us off as we left. Great equipment, especially bikes and sailing. We would have liked pickle ball!
On arrival we initially thought the villas were dated after Messini last year, but the whole hotel has its own special charm. Loved the fitness studio under the tree canopy.
Another fantastic Neilson resort with all the usual facilities that you would expect from Neilson but with the added bonus of electric bikes to get you up those hills and the opportunity to try the...
Another fantastic Neilson resort with all the usual facilities that you would expect from Neilson but with the added bonus of electric bikes to get you up those hills and the opportunity to try the crazy game of pickle ball.
