Your Next Pickleball Trip Could Include a PPA Pro
By Alexandra Sinopoli • September 9, 2026 • 8 min read
WHAT IF YOUR next pickleball vacation meant more than just finding a court to play on at a hotel?
Imagine waking up in a tropical destination, grabbing your paddle and heading to the courts, only to find yourself playing alongside a professional pickleball player. That’s the idea behind PPA Tour Pickleball Vacations, which allows pickleball fans to combine an unforgettable getaway with clinics, organized play and time on the court with some of the sport’s top professionals.
This week, from September 8 to 12, pickleball players are flying to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for a sold-out trip that is pretty much a pickleball player’s dream.
There are several professional pickleball players joining the trip, including Hayden Patriquin, Christopher Crouch, Giovanna Morelli and Dillon Segur. The pros are there to teach and help players regardless of their experience level. The trip also includes a Q&A session and cocktail party with the pros, giving guests the chance to ask them all of their burning questions.
For pickleball fans, this is a pretty cool opportunity. You aren’t just watching these players compete from the sidelines. You actually get to spend time with them, learn from them and see what it’s like to play alongside some of the best players in the sport.
A December Escape to Turks and Caicos
If you are feeling some FOMO from the September trip, don’t worry because from December 8 to 12, Pickleball Vacations is taking an adults-only trip to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
Located at the Club Med Turkoise Resort, this trip is a chance to combine pickleball with a tropical getaway. From a gorgeous beachfront resort to social events, exclusive experiences, clinics and all-inclusive amenities, this trip is meant to create the perfect balance of play and relaxation.
With four nights of pickleball, fresh air and beautiful landscapes, this is going to be a trip to remember. As a destination pickleball trip, there are so many things to do while also taking the time to better your pickleball skills.
Experience level does not matter for this trip because there are plenty of opportunities to improve your confidence and abilities in pickleball. If you are feeling extra prepared, you may even have the opportunity to play a match with or against some of the sport’s best athletes.
Led by Hayden Patriquin, with more professionals to be announced closer to the departure date, this vacation will be attended by PPA and MLP professionals, top coaches and pickleball enthusiasts from all over the world. Whether it is through coaching, personal tips and tricks or overall guidance, these professionals are there to help you improve your skills while also pushing you out of your comfort zone.
You don’t have to be the best player on the court to enjoy the experience. If you are newer to pickleball, the clinics give you a chance to learn without feeling like you have to already know everything. And if you have been playing for years, you can use the trip as a chance to challenge yourself and learn something new from players who compete professionally.
Paradise Beyond the Courts
Wondering where you will be staying? Club Med Turkoise is a stunning property that offers an escape from the outside. Located on the shores of Grace Bay, this resort is designed for friends or couples and is perfect for solo travelers.
There are some really amazing perks to this resort, including delicious dining and refreshing beverages, along with ground transportation to and from Providenciales International Airport (PLS).
Make sure you pack strategically because personal pickleball equipment is not provided. Along with airfare, travel insurance, gratuities and optional off-site excursions, these are the only things you need to worry about during your time on vacation.
People vacation differently, so making your vacation personal to you is important. Whether it is disconnecting or staying busy, this resort provides a unique experience for everyone.
Ocean lovers will be in heaven spending time diving, snorkeling, sailing or relaxing on the beach. The white, pillow-soft sand is perfect for building sandcastles or napping after a day of pickleball.
That is what makes this trip so appealing. You can spend your morning playing pickleball and learning from professionals, and then completely switch gears for the afternoon. Maybe you want to explore, spend time in the water or just lie on the beach and do absolutely nothing. It’s your vacation, after all.
Clinics, Coaching and Open Play
From 8 a.m. to noon, professional coaches lead structured clinics that provide experienced instruction. In the afternoons and evenings, 10 open courts are available, with four dedicated to coaching, for unlimited pickleball time.
If you aren’t ready to put the paddle down after the morning clinics, there is still plenty of time to play. The open courts give guests the chance to practice what they learned, play with other travelers and, hopefully, walk away with a few new skills to bring home.
Evenings feature many social gatherings among players, including live music, phenomenal scenery and a natural, easy-living ambiance. At night, imagine socializing, sharing stories and meals and participating in fun activities, all with pros you have seen compete professionally.
Pickleball Brings People Together
And then there is the social side of the trip. Pickleball has a way of bringing people together, and everyone on this vacation already has one big thing in common. Whether you are traveling with friends, with a partner or completely on your own, you are going to be surrounded by people who love the same sport you do.
By booking this trip, you are combining a traditional vacation with your favorite activity and people you normally watch compete professionally.
There is something pretty special about that. Instead of having to find a pickleball court once you arrive at your vacation destination, the courts and the people you came to play with are already there.
For solo travelers especially, this could be a fun way to meet new people without the awkwardness of trying to figure out where to go or who to play with. You already know everyone is there for the same reason.
For couples or friends, there is also plenty of room to make the trip your own. One person can spend a few extra hours on the court while the other relaxes by the water, and you can come back together later for dinner or one of the evening activities.
The best part is that pickleball does not have to take over the entire vacation. It becomes the thing that brings everyone together, while the destination gives you plenty of reasons to step away from the courts.
Play With the Pros
And if you have ever watched a PPA match and thought, “I wonder what it would be like to play against them,” this trip might be your chance to find out. Playing with a professional is obviously different from watching one on television. The speed, strategy and intensity are right in front of you. Even if you get completely outplayed, you are probably going to come away with a pretty good story.
You might also pick up a tip that changes the way you play back home. Sometimes it is one small adjustment in your positioning, shot selection or strategy that can make a difference. Having a professional there to answer questions and give you advice makes those lessons much more personal than simply watching a tutorial online.
At the end of the day, this is still a vacation. You are going to a beautiful destination, staying at a beachfront resort, meeting new people and hopefully getting plenty of time in the sun. The pickleball just gives the trip an extra reason to get out of bed in the morning.
For pickleball fans, there is something pretty special about being able to wake up in paradise, grab your paddle and know that a professional player could be waiting for you on the other side of the net.
Whether you are looking to improve your skills, meet new people or simply experience pickleball somewhere completely different, PPA Tour Pickleball Vacations offer a way to turn your favorite sport into the center of your next getaway.
About Alexandra Sinopoli
Alexandra Sinopoli is a media and communications student in her senior year at Arizona State University and an editorial intern with The Pickleball Weekly. Originally from Southern California, she has always enjoyed reading, traveling, and learning about new people and places. Alexandra previously wrote for The Moorpark Reporter, where she covered the performing arts, and has experience in journalism, social media, and content creation through her social media accounts. She especially enjoys travel and lifestyle writing and finding ways to make a story feel relatable to the people reading it. Outside of work and school, she’s usually planning her next trip, exploring somewhere new, or spending time with friends and family.
Read the full magazine issue! Click below, then click on the X in the lower bar to enjoy a full screen view!
