WOMEN'S PICKLEBALL TWO DAY CAMP

A Retreat Experience

PINAWA, MB - Spring Break 2025

For Intermediate Players (rated 3.0 - 3.5)

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Explore this unique pickleball retreat experience created for women who want to give attention to their own development (pickleball and otherwise). Our two day retreat goes beyond the game, offering a personal journey of skill improvement, community connection, and self-discovery.

Escape to beautiful natural setting of Pinawa, Manitoba, which provides the perfect environment for pickleball, relaxation, and giving attention to the hearts' desire.​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I started to explore the options to further development my pickleball game, I knew I wanted more than just a clinic or a one-and-done session where I was one of 16 or more people, with no personal attention or feedback. I found some introductory clinics and some 6-10 week lessons in Winnipeg, but nothing that really interested me. I was looking for more of an immersive experience, like a camp or a retreat where I could really focus on improving my skills and connect with others who play and love the game. Just playing games and the occasional tournament just doesn't provide enough structure and feedback to help me get better in a noticeable way.

 

At this stage of (middle) life, I'm also well aware of the need for a space where women can connect with each other at a heart-level and feel the support that comes from being part of a community.

 

I found a number of two days pickleball camps offered in other provinces and far away places in the States, with rates ranging from $250 to $650 (USD), not including accommodations and meals, plus travel costs to get there. And, there are weeklong pickleball retreats in exotic international resorts that cost upwards of $3000 (plus airfare). I love pickleball but...

 

So given that I couldn't find what I was interested in at an affordable price, I decided to create an experience I'd like to attend, using the amazing local Pinawa courts and resources. 

 

The Courts at the Pinawa Golf and Country Club will be used for our pickleball camp sessions in the summer months. Our community/school gym is available during the colder months and acts as our back-up in case of rainy or too hot days. With access to both facilities, there is no risk of sessions ever being cancelled if the weather isn't suitable for outdoor play. Get a feel for The Courts here.

 

The camp provides eight hours of instruction and coaching in total over the two days. A two hour morning session each day and a two hour afternoon session each day. As a bonus, participants also receive curated videos and instruction before and after the camp. The participant to coach ratio is four to one so lots of personalized feedback is provided.

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Our two pickleball coaches are local Pinawa residents, Cindy Mitterndorfer and Chantal Emond. They are both retired phys-ed teachers with years of coaching experience and participation in competitive sports. Pickleball has tapped into their passion and I don't know anyone at a recreational level who has dedicated more time and energy to learning the game and developing their skills through regular drilling, practice, study, and creative games. I encourage you to put aside any concern that they are not certified pickleball instructors. Everyone who has been lucky enough to learn from Cindy and Chantal have improved their game and had fun in the process. They have a way of coaching that invites improvement while letting go of expectations and judgement.

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I (Patti Phillips) will be providing the accommodations and meals at my Nurtured by Nature Retreat and Playhouse in Pinawa, as well as holding space for other personal growth opportunities. I've been offering women's retreats here since 2016 as a life coach and heart tender. You can find our more about my way of offering support by clicking here.

 

Click here to get familiar with the retreat place. There are four retreat bedrooms, two beds in each room, which means that rooms are double occupancy. Why not sign-up with your playing partner and share a room with someone you know? This is my home where I live with my partner and pets so they may join in the camp/retreat at varying degrees.

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Aside from providing an all-inclusive, retreat-like experience at a location close to home (if you live in southern Manitoba), here's another big differences that may appeal to you. The camp is limited to 8 participants which allows for personal attention from our instructors. That makes the ratio of players to instructor 4:1 compared to 8:1 at most other camps. You'll get to know the other participants at a more personal level on and off the court as well. 

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Click here to read a helpful article that may help answer the question "is a women's pickleball camp right for me?"

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Below is a very general description of the 3.0 and 3.5 skill level ratings from the Pickleball Canada website.

Rating 3.0

• has a consistent serve and return medium-paced balls reliably.

• Able to make all basic strokes. Lacks control when trying to place ball.

• Attempts lobs and dinks with limited success.

Rating 3.5

• Consistent control and placement of medium-paced shots. Able to return fast-paced shots with slightly less success.

• Improved control and placement of the ball.

• Working on more shot variety.

• Can play aggressively at the non-volley zone.

• Anticipates opponent's shots.

• Learning the strategy of doubles play.

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The content of the playing sessions will include instruction, demonstration, skill specific drills, and game-like scenarios to practice and repeat the techniques. Skills we'll focus on are:

• Serving and Returning (technique, placement, positioning, strategy)

• Transitioning from Baseline to Non-Volley Line (3rd and 5th shot drops, drives)

• Dinking (purpose, technique, strategy, shifting, communication)

• Volleying (purpose, technique, attacks, resets)

• ***we can also video record you on your own phone so you can evaluate yourself

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The Agenda

Evening 1

• arrive between 4:30 -5:00 pm

• Supper 6:00 pm

• 7:30 - 8:30 pm Welcome and personal intentions/goals/stories

Day 1

• Breakfast between 7:30 - 8:30 am

• Morning instruction session 9:00 - 11:00 am

• Lunch between 11:30 and 12:30 pm

• Afternoon instruction session between 1:00 - 3:00 pm

• Supper at 6:00 pm

• Free time and /or group activity (to be decided by registered participants)

Day 2

• Breakfast between 7:30 - 8:30 am

• Morning instruction session 9:00 - 11:00 am

• Lunch between 11:30 and 12:30 pm

• Afternoon instruction session between 1:00 - 3:00 pm

• Departure by 4:00 pm 

****additional days/nights of accommodations and meals can be added on to your camp stay if you'd like to take advantage of being at the Nurtured by Nature Retreat in Pinawa and all it has to offer. More pickleball. Golf. Visit the old Pinawa Dam. Hiking. Cross country skiing. Snowshoeing. Forest bathing. There are many options that your host will help you to explore (including some inner exploration).

 

Cost

$625 - Includes

• two nights accommodations; double occupancy

• 6 meals; two suppers, two lunches; two breakfasts

• 8 hours of pickleball instruction and support

• emergent life coaching and heart tending

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Registration

My retreats are typically small in number (maximum of 8) and I create space for participants to connect with each other on a personal level. Because of this, I've found that it's important to make sure the women who are attending get a good sense of what they're signing up for and that it will most likely meet their expectation. Therefore, I have a one-on-one conversation with all potential participants as the first step of the registration process. If it feels like a good fit, a $200 deposit is required to hold a spot. E-transfer is best.

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If you're interested, please email me and we'll set up a time to connect by phone. Click here. ​​​

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