Pickleball

Out & Out, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ outdoor and social activities club, is delighted to provide quickly expanding offerings for pickleball players here in Toronto.

We provide beginner-friendly offerings (such as our coached Learn-to-Play series), friendly recreational open play, and space for intermediate players who want to improve their game with the guidance of expert coaching.

We are very proud to be sponsored by HEAD, Canada's premier racquet equipment company.
 

New Program Alerts

Want to be notified for new programs as we launch them? Sign up for our new program alerts! We are actively working on securing more space.


 

2026 Winter & Spring Programs (January - May):

Registration is now closed.
 

We will be holding another Introductory Series (Learn to Play) in the late spring, and running summer programs. If interested, please add your name to our email alerts, above.

New to Pickleball? Learn to play with our coached Introductory Series!

New to pickleball, or only played a few times? This is the kickstart you're looking for! Learn the game in a friendly environment, with our wonderful coach, Sarah Graham! Sarah will take you through the basics of the game the first seven weeks, and then come back three more times to help you improve. Enjoy relaxed, open play the other weeks of the session as you put your new skills into action.


Wednesdays, 8-10PM
January 14th - May 13th
16 weeks - $198.17 ($12.39/week)
No session on April 15th or 22nd due to school events.
Rose Ave Public School / Branksome Hall Athletic Centre (near Sherbourne Subway)


 

Intermediate: Drills, Skills + Play

If you are an intermediate level player (3.5+) looking to improve your game, this is the session for you! We'll spend the first hour each week with Out & Out member and Certified Coach Cynda, working on drills, getting those repetitions in with various important shots to really move the needle on our accuracy. And then, we'll spend the back half of the session playing games to put our new skills to the test.


Thursdays, 6-8PM
February 12th - May 14th
13 weeks - $128.52 ($9.89/week)
No session April 16th due to school event.
Branksome Hall Athletic Centre (near Sherbourne Subway - parking available)

 

Open Play - All Levels

Join us at Sprucecourt or Branksome Hall for open play, an opportunity to mix and mingle with other players and play some great matches in a friendly, relaxed environment. After each game, paddles are mixed so that you play with a fresh partner each time.


These sessions are for people who have already learned to play. If you are brand new to pickleball, please register for one of our Introductory/Learn to Play sessions instead.


Mondays, 8-10PM - Open Play, All Levels
January 12th - May 11th
15 weeks - $148.29 ($9.89/week)
No session on Family Day, March Break, or Easter Monday.
Sprucecourt Public School (near Parliament & Gerrard - parking available)


Thursdays, 6-8PM - Open Play, All Levels
February 12th - May 14th
13 weeks - $128.52 ($9.89/week)
No session April 16th due to school event.
Branksome Hall Athletic Centre (near Sherbourne Subway - parking available)
 

Joining Out & Out Pickleball

Out & Out is a vibrant organization serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Toronto and beyond. We've been around since 1985, and we're stronger than ever. A yearly membership fee of $40 provides you with access to over 400 events a year, from camping and hiking, to kayaking and game nights, and now... pickleball! We also have run Jamboree, a week-long adult summer camp in Haliburton, for 35 years.

To join Out & Out Pickleball, you must become a member of the organization. You can do that at any time through the membership link, here.

Once you are a member, you can join any of our pickleball sessions, on a space available basis.

 

Let's Keep Our Players Safe

To maximize safety and smooth operations on the pickleball courts, we request that you follow a few guidelines. Thanks to the TGPA for sharing their well-vetted guidelines with us!
 

1. Do not back up (backpedal) on the court. It is much safer to turn and move sideways.
    
2. Do not run into other active courts when playing your ball.
    
3. Do not chase your ball through other active courts if it gets away from you. Call “BALL ON” so people are aware that a ball might be underfoot and wait for others to return the ball. Raise your hand or paddle so they know where to return the ball.
    
4. When retrieving a loose ball, identify whose ball it is before returning it. Look for players waving at you. Do not just roll, kick or flick the ball out of your way. Make eye contact and, with ball in hand, throw or hit it back (in the air) to the player identified. When possible return the ball behind the courts.
    
5. Stop play immediately if a loose ball comes on your court, or behind it. Shout “BALL ON”. Wait for the ball to be safely returned. Then replay your rally.
    
6. When going to and from a court, be aware and stay well clear of other active players and courts. If you must cross a court in play, wait for the rally to end and get the attention of the players. Walk together as a group to minimize disruption.
    
7. Keep yourself well hydrated.

Recommended gear:
 

• Tennis/court shoes - these provide the safest stability for the quick directional changes we make in pickleball.
   
• Protective eyewear - if you wear prescription glasses, these are sufficient for pickleball; otherwise, it is strongly recommended that you protect your eyes as these are one of the most common serious injuries in pickleball. Regular safety glasses are inexpensive and adequate - glasses marketed for pickleball are 3-10x the price.

A Dash of Pickleball Etiquette :)

• Use the bucket system as intended to rotate players, and change partners each game. (The system will be explained.)
   
• At the beginning of the game introduce yourself, if you are not familiar with your partner or players.
   
• Be patient and encouraging of less skilled players.
   
• Always thank your opponents and your playing partner when the game is over.