Living the Pickleball Grind in Paradise

Living in Rancho Santana is a dream. You wake up to ocean breezes, howler monkeys in the trees, and usually a clear sky, though there are plenty of cloudy days too. It’s luxury tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of Nicaragua. And yes, it has pickleball courts. Three of them, actually. Pretty decent ones, too. They’re kind of well-maintained, decent surface, good nets. The only thing that sucks is that they’re not oriented right with the sun, so you catch some brutal glare during certain hours. But overall, it’s a solid setup.

Now, let’s talk about what it's like trying to train seriously here.

The biggest challenge is lack of competitive players. I’m 19, on a mission to get really darn good, and there just aren’t many people around who are chasing that same goal. Most folks here treat pickleball like a fun hobby to pass the time between surf sessions or sunset drinks. Nothing wrong with that, but it means that when I want to drill or play serious games, I’m usually hitting with my family, my dad, mom, and sisters. That’s not a complaint, really. We get solid reps in and I actually enjoy those sessions. But you do crave variety. It helps you grow and mixes it up keeping things fun.

But here’s the upside: because so few people are playing seriously, the courts are wide open. I mean, it’s basically like having private courts whenever I want.  Early morning? Empty. Sunset sesh in the evening? Empty. Try pulling that off in the US. In Florida, especially places like Central Park at Plantation, you can barely get on a court to play a game, much less drill. And in Dallas, Texas, even though indoor courts are everywhere, good luck finding a strong partner or an open slot. Everyone's playing, but not everyone is good. And even if they are, you're stuck waiting.

So here in Rancho Santana, I get all the time I need to put in reps. Drills, games, experimenting, and fine-tuning. That freedom to train without interference is a huge advantage I always appreciate when I'm playing abroad.

And when I need a break, there’s a basketball hoop right next to the courts. I can mess around, work on my trash jump shot, or chase that dream of dunking. Or just zone out and listen to the jungle wildlife in the trees. That kind of environment makes the grind more enjoyable.

Nicaragua might not be the hotspot for competitive pickleball just yet, but it has its own unique advantages. I’m making the most of the current circumstances. Still, I do look forward to heading back to Florida for that high-level tournament play. Until then, Rancho is my lab. And I’m cooking up something serious.

btw you can follow me on Instagram and Substack to follow along.