Selkirk Sport launches Selkirk Academy, setting a new standard in professional pickleball education

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — March 17, 2026 — Selkirk Sport, the leading manufacturer of high-performance pickleball equipment, today announced the launch of Selkirk Academy. Developed in partnership with Pickleball Coaching International, the Academy introduces a structured, academic approach to player development, replacing informal social clinics with a systematic instructional framework.

As the sport matures, dedicated players are demanding professional-grade instruction. Selkirk Academy addresses this market shift by providing a performance-focused training environment. Unlike traditional camps that offer broad, high-level overviews, Selkirk Academy utilizes two-day themed camps designed for in-depth mastery of specific skill sets.

“Pickleball is evolving, and the education must evolve with it,” said Rob Barnes, co founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. “Committed players have outgrown local social clinics. Through Selkirk Academy, we are providing a thoughtful, deliberate training model that establishes a global standard for serious students of the game.”

The Academy will debut at two premier host facilities: Dink and Dine Pickle Park in Mesa, Arizona, and The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These world-class venues reflect the Academy’s commitment to providing a premium experience on and off the court.

“Selkirk choosing Dink & Dine as a home for their academy is a powerful statement about the level of energy and experience players can expect here,” said Riley Palmer, Director of Pickleball at Dink & Dine. “Together, we’re creating something truly special for every level of player — combining elite coaching, top talent and an environment that’s both competitive and welcoming, all while growing the game, building community and shaping the future of pickleball.”

Camp offerings and curriculum

Selkirk Academy moves away from the “inch deep, mile wide” model of traditional camps that attempt to teach the entire game in two days. Instead, the Academy offers specialized, theme-based camps, including:

• Fundamental Pickleball ($645): Focuses on building a consistent technical foundation.
• Precision Pickleball ($745): Emphasizes on-demand control and shot placement.
• Power Pickleball ($745): Teaches players how to effectively use speed in various situations.
• Competition Pickleball ($745): Prepares players for high-stakes tournament play and is open to individuals or partners.

Learning continues after the conclusion of the camp. Players receive access to a digital database containing individual clips of their play with coach commentary, alongside curated instructional content from Selkirk Pickleball TV to reinforce retention.

Dynamic diagnosis and coaching

To ensure participants are taught at their specific skill level, the Academy utilizes a dynamic diagnostic period at the start of each camp. Rather than relying on general ratings like DUPR, coaches assess individual skills such as dinks, drops and resets to group players by their proficiency.

Every instructor is hand-selected and certified in specific methodologies to ensure consistent quality across locations. Each camp also includes a Coach Assistant to improve upon the typical 8:1 coach-to-student ratio.

Professional certification

Beyond player education, Selkirk Academy serves as the institutional authority for instructor development. The Academy offers in-person PCI Level 1 Instructor Certification for $450, with Level 2 Certification programs scheduled for later this year.

Camps are scheduled to begin the first week of April. Registration is currently open to the public.

About Selkirk Sport

Selkirk Sport, a premium manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim. Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service.