The quaint valley town of Ojai is famed for its picturesque backdrop and juicy citrus fruits. A new sport is making a racquet, fun for some neighbors and noise pollution to others. Owl paddles Ojai Valley pickleball initiative has stepped up to reduce noise and bring peace to the community.
Greg Doss, the Pickleball Director at Ojai Valley Athletic Club, has emerged as a key figure in resolving tensions. We sat down with Rick Schwenk to learn how they are assisting 600 local players to enjoy the sport without agitating the neighbors.
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The Noise Problem
The rapid appearance of courts in urban areas and gated communities has given rise to noise complaints from disgruntled neighbors. That small paddle and plastic ball generate a helluva noise every time they clash.
In Ojai, this became a major point of contention as the city’s courts are located close to residential areas. Without a solution, the courts faced possible closure by January 31 2024, pushing Doss and the community to act.
Doss explains that “the tone of the pickleball sound is more of an issue, than the decibel.” This high-pitched “thwack” sound can be disruptive to those living near the courts.
OWL Paddles Ojai Valley Solution
To tackle the noise complaints, Doss partnered with OWL, the first company to have a USA Pickleball-approved Quiet paddle. These paddles reduce noise by at least 50%, creating a sound closer to a “thud” rather than the typical loud “thwack” of traditional paddles.
Doss worked to secure a trial run of the paddles. By December 30, 2023 Quiet paddles and balls were on site and available for players to use.
The trial kicked off on January 1, with 16 players using the new equipment across four courts. Doss reported that while players were initially skeptical, they quickly came around to the change. “They soon realized that the quieter paddles did not affect their level of play,” said Doss.
Positive Feedback from Players
After two weeks, the feedback from players was overwhelmingly positive. Doss emphasized the importance of having this alternative: “Ultimately, when I ask them ‘would you rather play with quiet paddles or nothing?’ 100% said, ‘I’ll play with anything as long as I can keep playing.”
” This showed that the quieter paddles had no negative impact on the players’ enjoyment of the game, while also addressing the noise concerns of the nearby residents.”
A Potential Model for the Future
Doss sees the introduction of OWL’s Quiet paddles as a potential long-term solution, not only for Ojai but for other communities facing similar issues. He envisions Ojai’s courts as a “Quiet-approved site” where only Quiet equipment would be used. This would allow the courts to continue operating without disturbing the surrounding neighborhoods.
Doss believes that Ojai’s model could be replicated nationwide. “Here’s a compromise that I think could work for everybody. I’d like to invite all the neighbors, City Council members, and City Manager to come down and experience it. It’s night and day,” he added, expressing hope that the one-month trial period will be extended.
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The Bigger Picture: Preserving Local Courts
While the Soule Park Pickleball Project is working on building new, dedicated courts at Soule Park, Doss emphasizes the importance of maintaining the existing city courts. Ojai’s downtown courts have become a key part of the local pickleball community, and Doss argues that they should remain open.
“These courts are so beautiful – and people have put so much work, effort, money into building them,” Doss said. “Not everyone can get to Soule Park that easily.”
By continuing to improve sound mitigation measures with the help of Quiet paddles and other tools, Doss hopes that these courts can remain a fixture in the community.
Conclusion
Greg Doss’s efforts to introduce Quiet OWL paddles have offered a creative solution to a longstanding challenge. By reducing the noise generated during play, these paddles provide a way to balance the interests of pickleball enthusiasts and nearby residents.
As the sport continues to grow, Doss’s approach may serve as a model for other communities facing similar conflicts, proving that innovation and compromise can keep the game going without disrupting the peace.
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