Pickleball Tournaments

A recap of Palmera Pickleball’s spring tour across the U.S., featuring PPA tournaments, travel highlights, training sessions, and venue visits.

Thirteen-year-old Abigail Bourgeois shares her experience medaling at her first PPA pickleball tournament in Cape Coral, Florida. From battling cold weather and fatigue to learning the importance of prep, hydration, and mental focus, she reflects on her competition experience.

At 15 years old, I competed in my first PPA Challenger Tournament in Columbia, SC. I didn’t come home with any medals—but I left with something even better: lessons in integrity, resilience, and what it really takes to grow as a pickleball player.

Drilling builds skill. But winning demands more than clean mechanics—it requires adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to think under pressure. Mastery isn’t just about hitting perfect shots; it’s about training your brain to recognize patterns, quiet the inner critic, and respond instinctively when the stakes are high.