Schedule & Locations

Ensuring participant safety is our top priority.
Because SMASH is a research-based recreational program—not a competitive league—we adopt more conservative guidelines than typical USTA or USA Pickleball play. Outdoor sessions will be cancelled, postponed, or moved based on weather, court safety, air quality, and environmental conditions to reduce the risk of slips, falls, heat illness, cold-related injury, and cardiac strain.

This policy applies to all participants in both the Supervised Instruction and Free-Play groups.

1. Rain, Wet Courts & Surface Conditions

Automatic Cancellation Criteria
Outdoor pickleball sessions will be cancelled if any of the following occur:

• Rain is occurring or has occurred within the previous 60 minutes, even if precipitation has stopped.
 Reason: Courts remain slick well after rainfall; traction is significantly reduced.
• Courts appear visibly wet, damp, or have pooled/standing water.
• High humidity following rain makes the surface slow to dry (dew point ≥ 70°F).
• Active drizzle, mist, or expected rain during the scheduled session based on forecast.

Rationale
USTA and USA Pickleball emphasize dry surfaces to prevent slips. For novice or older participants, wet courts dramatically increase fall-related injuries.

2. Temperature & Wind Comfort/Safety Limits

Cold Weather Conditions
Sessions will be cancelled or moved indoors if:

• Feels-like temperature (wind chill) is ≤ 45°F
 (USA Pickleball guideline is ~40°F; SMASH uses a more conservative limit.)
• Sustained winds ≥ 20 mph or gusts ≥ 30 mph
• Cold + damp conditions that increase muscle strain risk

If temperature is 46–50°F:
Session may proceed only if courts are dry, winds are light, and participants are appropriately dressed.

3. Heat Index, Humidity & Heat Illness Prevention

SMASH uses more conservative thresholds than competitive play due to participant vulnerability.

Automatic Heat Cancellation
Sessions will be cancelled, postponed, or moved indoors if:

• Heat Index ≥ 100°F
• Air temperature ≥ 90°F and humidity ≥ 60%
• Direct sun + low wind + radiant court heat significantly elevate strain

Modified/Shortened Sessions may occur when:

• Heat Index is 95–99°F
• Hydration reminders are issued
• Breaks increase from every 20 minutes → every 10 minutes
• Play intensity is reduced

If multiple participants report dizziness, nausea, pounding heart rate, or heat-stress symptoms, the session stops immediately.

4. Air Quality

Air quality is critical for safety and cognitive performance.

Sessions will be cancelled or moved indoors if:

• AQI ≥ 100 (Orange or worse) for any pollutant
 (This is stricter than EPA athletic guidelines, which allow up to 150.)

AQI 80–99:
Session may proceed at reduced intensity, with hydration and symptom checks.

5. Lightning, Thunder, and Severe Weather

(Aligned with USTA/NOAA guidelines)

Sessions will be cancelled if:

• Thunder is heard or lightning is seen at any distance
• 30-minute delay from last thunder/strike — no exceptions
• Severe weather alerts (Watch/Warning) are active
• Winds exceed 25 mph even without storms

6. Ice, Snow, Frost, or Early-Morning Dew

Sessions will be cancelled if:

• Courts have frost, ice patches, or visible moisture
• Morning dew cannot dry before the session start
• Surface traction is uncertain

7. Decision Timeline & Communication Protocol

We aim for timely decisions to respect participant travel time.

Decision Times
• Morning Sessions: by 7:00 AM
• Midday Sessions: by 10:00 AM
• Evening Sessions: by 3:00 PM (earlier if conditions change)

How Participants Are Notified
• Email and/or text (if provided)
• Website banner update on the SMASH Pickleball page
• Auto-updated schedule on WordPress (if implemented)

Participants should check email before leaving home.

8. Indoor Backup Plan (Optional)

If indoor courts are available:

• Sessions may be moved indoors automatically when outdoor conditions violate safety thresholds.
• Participants will be notified and provided directions.

9. Participant Responsibilities Related to Weather

To keep everyone safe, participants must:

• Bring water, a towel, and attire appropriate for heat or cold
• Inform staff immediately if feeling dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, cold, or overly fatigued
• Avoid playing if recovering from illness or overheating
• Wear sunscreen on sunny days; UV index > 6 requires extra caution

In the event of a weather-related cancellation:

Staff may schedule a make-up session at the same or alternate location.

Free-play and supervised groups may have different make-up options depending on instructor availability.

Participants will receive email instructions for scheduling make-up visits.