Women's Pickleball Camps on the Rise

Women's pickleball participation now roughly matches men's, and women-led / women-only camps have become one of the fastest-growing categories in the sport. In 2026 there are more than 40 recurring women's camps in the U.S., up from a handful in 2022.

Why the format works. Coaches who run these camps consistently report the same feedback: mixed-gender clinics tend to be dominated by a few loud voices, and women learners often defer or get less court time. Women-only formats level that, and pace and progression tend to match the group better.

Notable programs: Simone Jardim Pickleball Academy, Anna Leigh Waters clinics, and the growing Women of Pickleball retreat series. Regional programs run out of Chicken N Pickle, Life Time, and independent coaches in most metros.

What to look for: a female head coach with recognized certification, groupings by skill level (not just gender), and a real curriculum — not a social event with a paddle. Pricing is comparable to co-ed camps ($400–$3,000 depending on format).

The community angle matters. Attendees at women's camps report the highest 'would attend again' rates of any camp category we track — often 90%+ — largely because the social bonds tend to persist long after the camp ends.