Originally invented in 1965, pickleball has seen a massive increase in popularity throughout the U.S. El Pasoans can join a new social club in the city that has a pickleball space for players of all levels and ages.
Dropshot Social is a local pickleball club where players from all backgrounds can come together and swing their paddles against the holey ball. The club was founded in the summer of 2024 by Monserrat Pena and Omar Ramirez. Their love and enjoyment of pickleball was the first step in creating Dropshot Social.
While there are other clubs and leagues for the sport throughout El Paso, most charge their members monthly or yearly fees.
“It’s just kind of unfortunate there isn’t something like [a free pickleball club] here, and then it just occurred to me. That doesn’t mean there can’t be,” Pena said.
The club prides itself on being inviting to anyone from any background. They want their club to act as a bridge for newcomers interested in the sport and to help them break out of their shell by encouraging beginners to try out pickleball at social events, while more experienced players can find some friendly competition.
“Drop shot is not exclusive to a certain niche. If you’re somebody who takes it more competitively or it’s just like something you do every once in a while, we’re just open to all levels and that’s something we really try to promote,” Pena said.
The club isn’t only tailored to beginners, as the founders want to incorporate other events besides their already established socials.
“We’re just trying to go for the social aspect and kind of make it a little big. And then in the future, we do want to host tournaments just kind of go also into the competitive aspects of it,” Ramirez said.
The founders say members of Dropshot Social all came from different backgrounds where some started pickleball as a simple hobby and others came to it with experience from other sports. Long time member Jose Sanchez Jr. said he joined Dropshot Social with the hopes of being surrounded by friends.
“I used to play tennis, and I wanted a quick way to get my friends into it too. So, we started picking up pickleball and we started enjoying it,” Sanchez said.
Dropshot Social has been making a name for itself for over five months now, bringing new social events to El Paso every two weeks.
“I’ve been showing up every meeting they have and participating, meeting new people, and just exchanging with each other talking, you can even make connections here.” Sanchez said.
For new players and old, of any experience level, El Paso pickleball players have a new place to go visit to share a passion with others.
Joseph Montero is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]
