Hi new to the forum and I'm trying to get back into playing Badminton after a long times being away from the sport. I've looked through posts here and some sites and noticed a few places that I can play @ Mar Vsita, McClelan Rec Center, Pierce College, but what I'm more interested in is the skill set of the people who go to these places. I know its probabaly a wide range, so I was wondering how the players are divided? Is there a chance a returnign player (probably very rusty) or a begginer be placed against an advance player? I know Mar Vista is highly recommended in this area, how about the other places? Thanks JC
Hi jcmahal, i personally haven't been to those places you mentioned, but i've played @ Santa Monica College a few times. They are open ONLY on Sunday from 12pm til 8pm. Cost to play is $6 or $4(if you are a student); i usually come in and just give the man in charge, Mr. Charles, $4 and he'll let you in. As far as level of play goes, the place offers many different levels of competition. Further, SMC has 8-9 courts and the queu/waiting time isn't too long, so you can play a full game. It's based on first come first play and depends if it's a long weekend or not; sometimes it's full, sometimes it's quite empty.. For further info, you can contaq another SMC member (Tony Tam) : tonytam@att.net. I believe he also coordinates/plays @ the Mar Vista Rec Center.. Good luck and have fun!
As any other places Pierce College also has varied range of players. I would say 60% beginners, 30% intermediate, 8% intermediate plus and 2% advanced. It costs $5 a pop. Every Saturday. Man to contact is Mohammed. Other places around Pierce college are LA Valley College and North Hollywood.
If you dont want to worry about being matched up with a advanced or intermediate player....come to mar vista. The person in charge Joe will make sure you get set up with the proper skill level of people, and if its too easy, just let him know and he can move you up. It also doesnt hurt that it only costs $4 and you are provided with all the feathered shuttles that you can use They are open Monday and Wednesday from 7 - 10pm
Thanks for the info. I'm actually planning on heading there tonight. Hope to meet and play with a lot of people.
Great! Whats your name by the way? I would get there around 7:20pm...that way the 1st games are finishing up and you can get on the 2nd round with no wait.
I dropped by Mar Vista yesterday and it was very fun. I was set up with the right skill level (beginner) and enjoyed playing. Just a few questions though.... Is it always crowded there? The person I spoke with mentioned that the crowd varies. During the 3 hours I was there I got to play 3 games which wasn't bad. I'm going to check out some other places but I think I'll be a regular @ Mar Vista on Mondays. Thanks to wickeddrop for the insight.
Hey JC, Which one were you? I was the bald guy playing in the 1st court the 1st game and the 3rd court in the 2nd game. The crowd does vary but yesterday was pretty crowded. Normally....on wednesdays...its a little lighter and you can get more games in.
I was the short Filipino guy in a black shirt... I played in the second court for my first game and second game and 1st court for my last game. I was watching your 1st game while waiting for a court to open up. I'm going to check out McCambridge park this Wednesday , but I'll be back at Mar Vista next Monday. What's your name?
Oh ok....i thought that was you...my name is Brandon. I dont think mar vista is open next monday and wed so you should come the week after next monday.
Re: Mar Vista closed next week!! Hey Brandon: Mar Vista is closed next week, because, Joe is going on vacation. I asked him, if, I can run for him that week and he said "No". The gym is open, we decided to show up on Monday and Wednesday. Robbie will be working next week. We can just ask him to give us the net and the stand. We can use our own birds. I s/w lots of people yesterday, including Andrew and they all agreed. So, if you want to play next week, come by. Sam
Sam, Thanks for the heads up...but im going to confirm with Robbie first before i show up. I dont wanna drive all that way and then not be able to play. Make sure you bring some birds
new Hi there... i'm new to this forum, and i haven't played badminton for a longggg time. i saw that you live in the SFV, so its pretty close to me. i'd like to play badminton too, but not sure where. i know about pierce college, but i still havent found any information about playing over there. maybe you/anybody could help me since i'm new here. thanx a lot!
I just moved down to West LA and was glad to see Mar Vista so close by. It's great that it comes so highly recommended with Joe being able to set up proper skill level playing for newer folks. I haven't played for a while and was hoping to have my wife start playing. I'm gonna look out for JC and Wicked once we start going there. Btw, does the place have good ventilation? Thanks
Its a basketball gym so if its really hot...it gets kinda heated up in there. But..its on the westside, so breathing is never really a problem. Hope you come by soon!
Come down to mar vista for a pleasant playing expereince....its not that far from the valley and you will have a great time!
