WATCH, BATTLE, PLAY & TRAIN with World #1 BEN JOHNS!
All Pickleball Fans & Players are Invited -- First-Timers to Kids and Competitive Amateurs
All Pickleball Fans & Players are Invited -- First-Timers to Kids and Competitive Amateurs
5 Days of Fun Pro-Am Events, Amateur Ladders, Clinics & More!
The Inaugural Event
Get ready to swing into action and kick off your 2024 in style! Join us for the La Barra Pro-Am Pickleball Invitational, an exhilarating 5-day extravaganza where we’re extending a warm, intimate welcome to the world’s top professional pickleball players, as well as the vibrant pickleball communities of Northern and Central California.
We’re thrilled to announce the gathering of 13 top-ranked pro pickleball players and rising stars for an intense pre-season training session on the 19 pickleball courts at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Monterey's Monterey Bay Racquet Club. This is not like any other pickleball event; it's a celebration of the sport for players of all levels, and there’s something for everyone. Engage in friendly battles alongside the pros, gain valuable insights from our expert clinics, climb the challenge ladders against fellow amateurs, or simply be awe-struck as you witness the pros in action during their training sessions and exhibition games.
Don't miss out on the chance to be part of this unforgettable week of camaraderie, competition, and pure pickleball passion.
OUR ROSTER OF PROS
Our star-studded cast of pros includes the GOAT Ben Johns, the world's #1 for singles, doubles and mixed doubles – a title he's held over the last 3 years.
Joining Ben is his brother and doubles partner Collin Johns, along with 5th-ranked female phenom Jessie Irvine, powerhouse Etta Wright of the Bay Area Breakers Major League Pickleball (MLP) team, and the MLP’s most-decorated champion, Irina Tereschenko.
Rounding out the roster are rising stars to keep an eye on, including Lacy Schneemann, Rianna Valdes, Canada's #1 female Jordi Vigna, Bryanna Ojeda, Erik Pailet, Roscoe Bellamy, the "Pro's Pro" Preston Bies, and Jack Munro.
BATTLE THE PROS
THE PRO-AM CASH LADDER TOURNAMENT
THE PRO-AM CASH LADDER TOURNAMENT
If you've ever wanted to play a match with pros or go head-to-head with them, here's your chance! Top amateurs compete for a $2,500 cash prize AMATEURS-only purse in just 2 hours with our compass ladder format. You'll get to play in at least 6 games with 6 different pros, unless you reserve your favorite pro to play with you the whole time via Buy A Pro. Slots are limited to 36 amateurs.
PLAY With 2 PROS
PLAY With 2 PROS
This is another rare opportunity to play a game with 2 pros on your court. Small groups of people can book outright a 30-minute or a 60-minute court time and "Play With 2 Pros" and also opt to secure their favorite pro via Buy A Pro.
Or, just win your way into a "Play With 2 Pros" game via any of the four amateur open ladder challenges we have throughout week by finishing amongst the top 3 men or top 3 women.
Pro tip: Enter in more than one ladder to increase your chances to Play With 2 Pros!
AMATEUR OPEN LADDER TOURNAMENTS
We know many of you would rather play matches than drill or take a ton of lessons. So please join us for any of our four LADDER TOURNAMENTS open to all level of amateurs 2.5 to 5.0+ -- no need to signup with a doubles partner. Each tournament has 48 slots, typically 24 slots each for women and men.
In this unique ladder format, you'll battle it out over 6 games in 2 hours. The top 3 Men and top 3 Women players in each Ladder event will advance to play 1 doubles Match Play With 2 Pros right afterwards. Any level player can win the whole thing!
Everyone is welcome to enter any of these ladders:
Wed Jan 3 | The California Firefighter Open
Thu Jan 4 | The Men-Only & Women-Only Ladders
Fri Jan 5 | The Santa Cruz Pickleball Club Open
Sun Jan 7 | The Silicon Valley Open
What to Expect
EVERY DAY:
Each morning except Saturday, you'll have the opportunity to watch the pros’ pre-season training session, followed by a Pro Doubles Exhibition Game.
The rest of the day is filled with an Amateur tournament, Open Play, Clinics. and Play with 2 Pros sessions We have 19 courts full of activity!
Just pick the day you want to go and choose the type of pass --a Player Pass or a Spectator Pass, and on-court activities
All PLAYER PASSES are valid for 1 day at MBRC where the Pros will be training and playing. The 1-day Player Passes are for the Ladder Players, Open-Play Players, and Novice-Clinic takers, who all get on the courts adjacent to the Pro's courts. These Players passes are limited in number for an intimate event experience, as we aim to keep it around 100 persons a day at the event, including the pros.
Each daily Player Pass features a bundle of extras good for that day, which include:
1 Spectator seat for the day to Watch the Pros Train plus Exhibition Game
1 Lunch Ticket + Meet & Greet with the Pros (during lunch)
1 Open Play Court Pass – play 9 am - 5 pm on any available court
1 Extra Open Play Court Pass – good for a return visit to play at MBRC between January 8 to April 1, 2024
1 Test Drive Pass: try out paddles & the ERNE Pickleball Machine
Your Court Play Option for the day (choose 1): Ladder Competition, Novice Clinic, or Open-Play Only.
Note: Minimum age for Ladder players: 8 years old.
DAILY SPECTATOR PASSES are limited.
Spectators welcome, but must be registered with a Spectator Pass. Lunch not included.
Kids 12 & under are free as spectators, but must also be registered for a Spectator Pass. Lunch not included.
CLINICS TAUGHT BY THE PROS & LOCAL TEACHING PROS
Don't forget to level up your game with steller tips and insights via a 90-minute Clinic with a Pro (1:4 student ratio unless stated otherwise). Pro Clinics require separate registration and are NOT included in the PLAYER PASSES.
Novice Clinics are available with our local pros (1:4 coach-studnet ratio) and are included in the Novice-Clinic Player Pass.
Minimum age for Novice Clinics is 6 years old.
PLAYER PASS TYPES | Purchase by the day
PURCHASE BY THE DAY
$85 Ladder Player Pass
$350 SATURDAY PRO-AM PLAYER PASS
For ladder competitors. Includes open play, "player bundle" extras & lunch.
PURCHASE BY THE DAY
$85 Open-Play Player Pass
Best if you mainly want to play & spectate. Includes open play, "player bundle" extras & lunch.
PURCHASE BY THE DAY
$85 Novice-Clinic Player Pass
For new & novice players, this includes a Novice Clinic at 12:30p or 1:30p, plus open play, "player bundle" extras & lunch.
PURCHASE BY THE DAY
$25 Spectator-Only Pass
Watch the pros & other on-court action. DOES NOT include open play, "player bundle" extras, nor lunch. (Accompanying kids 12 & under are free but must have a pass.)
OTHER PRO EXPERIENCES | Available daily
DAILY CLINICS FROM 6 PROS
$60 - $170 pp | Pro Clinic
Cost varies per pro instructor. Does not include player-pass extras. Purchase an add-on or player pass if you want to do more than a Pro Clinic.
FOR PRO CLINIC TAKERS ONLY
$45 Open-Play Add-On
for Pro-Clinic takers only
Allows you to join open play & spectate. Includes "player bundle" extras & lunch.
3 SESSIONS DAILY
$350-600 PLAY WITH 2 PROS
group slot | 30 mins or 1 hr
A group of 2-6 will enjoy 30 min of games in Play With 2 Pros. Play against them or pair-up with each of them! Get some pro coaching & strategy tips along the wa!
FOR PRO-AM & PLAY WITH 2 PROS
BUY-A-PRO BIDDING
see starting bids
The only way to secure your favorite pro to play with you is to win the bid for that pro. Minimum bid varies per pro.
LADDER HIGHLIGHTS
Every day except for Saturday's Pro-Am:
Each morning begins with a Pro Training Session followed by a Pro Doubles Exhibition Game.
Enter all 4 Amateur Open Ladders to maximize your chances to earn a game where you get to Play With 2 Pros
The compass ladder format is fun and great for all levels 2.5 and up -- no doubles partner required. Get 6+ games in 2 hours!
Wed January 3
Day 1
Day 1
All Bay Area Firefighters, Military Vets and First Responders are invited.Open to everyone, too!
Fri January 5
Day 3
Day 3
Co-Hosted by the Brommer Street
& Skypark Ink Crews
Open to non-SCPC members, too!
Sat Jan 6
Day 4
Day 4
Compete in 6+ games and play with 6 different pros in two hours. $2500 Amateur Cash Purse!
Sun Jan 7
Day 5
Day 5
A fun throw-down for the Tech Scene, from VCs & Startups to non-techies.
Open to Everyone!