PKLN COMMUNITY SMASH #8: RECAP

Valentine’s Day was the night before, but the real love story? It happened on the courts at Smash 8.

On February 15, 2025, PKLN took over the Worcester County Rec Center in Snow Hill, MD, one more time, and it was another for the books. With 50+ attendees, it was a record-breaking night filled with love, competition, and nonstop good vibes. So many new faces, so much passion for the game, and another epic step forward for the PKLN community.

ANOTHER ELITE COACHING LINEUP

This time around, we had a fresh mix of trusted PKLN coaches and a highly-touted newcomer to elevate the play.

• Ben & Kevin O’Malley – Our veteran coaches and local pros, always bringing the energy and knowledge.

• Jeffery Murphy – Paddle expert and now PKLN regular, making the game accessible and fun for all.

• Trevor Johnson – A new addition to the PKLN coaching crew, this highly-touted local pro wasted no time making an impact.

Jeffery and Ben locked in with the beginners, expertly teaching the game in a way that was easy to understand, fun, and frustration-free. Meanwhile, Kevin and Trevor took the more advanced players under their wing, working on high-level skills and strategies to push their games to the next level.

This coaching squad had something for everyone, and it showed in the energy on the courts.

We were, ONCE AGAIN, stacked.

RAFFLES ON RAFFLES

We brought back random giveaways every 30 minutes to make sure everyone had a shot at winning. No more Picklepong—this time, we kept it simple and fair for all players, especially newcomers who might not have landed a trick shot. The result? Huge wins and even bigger smiles. #pickleball4all

Over $1,000 worth of pickleball gear found new homes, including two brand-new paddles from Joola and Bread & Butter Pickleball. Top-of-the-line shirts, bags, grips, and more were up for grabs. Every attendee was in the mix—all you had to do was show up and be part of the fun.

ROTATING SYSTEM KEEPS PLAYERS MOVING

To keep games fast-paced and engaging, we implemented a rotating system that ensured courts stayed full and players mixed it up. This meant no one got stuck playing with the same group, forcing everyone to team up with new partners and challenge different playstyles. A dedicated participant even volunteered to run the paddle system, keeping everything smooth and organized. The result? More connections, more competition, and nonstop action.

HUGE SHOUTOUT TO SUZANNE FOR ORGANIZING OUR ATTENDEES AND KEEPING THE COURTS FILLED!

WANT TO SEE MORE?!

Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for more pictures and videos from SMASH 8...give us a like & follow while you're there!

NEXT UP: SMASH 9 AT CROWN SPORTS

PKLN is on the move! We’re taking the action to Crown Sports in Salisbury, MD, for Smash 9 on March 8th from 4-6 PM—another Saturday Smash in a brand-new location. The momentum is real, and the word is out. Spots are filling fast. Don’t miss the next best one!REGISTER FOR SMASH 9 NOW!