You said yes to a friend, or you booked a come-and-try session, and now you are standing in the hallway wondering whether you need a paddle, special shoes or a bag full of gear. Short answer: for a first session you usually need comfortable exercise clothes, a pair of runners and a bottle of water. Many beginner sessions supply the paddles and balls. Luca, who runs Dinkwell, plays club pickleball and co-founded South Coast Pickleball, so he watches first-timers turn up every season, and the ones who enjoy it most are the ones who turned up relaxed, not over-equipped. This guide gives you the short list, what venues say they provide, a checklist for the door and the two questions worth asking before you leave home.
The short version
- Bring exercise clothes, runners or court shoes and a water bottle. That covers most come-and-try sessions.
- Council and club pages we checked say equipment is provided, or that you can hire a paddle. Check your own session's page before you buy anything.
- Good to have: a towel, sun protection for outdoor courts and a warm layer for the breaks between games.
- Ask the venue about footwear and any form you need to sign before you arrive.
What do you actually need for a first session?
The short list is clothes, shoes and water. One June 2026 player guide boils the whole game down to paddle, shoes, balls, towel and a water bottle, and for a first session two of those five are often handled for you.
Why does that matter? Because the biggest beginner mistake is buying before you have played. A first session tells you whether you like the game, whether you prefer an outdoor court to a hall, and what feels good in your hand. Gear bought on day zero is a guess. Gear bought after day one is a decision.
What do venues say they provide?
Several Australian venues say so on their own pages, and the wording is worth reading closely:
- The City of Sydney's Broadway rooftop intro session lists activewear and runners and a water bottle as what to bring, and states that all equipment is provided.
- The City of Cockburn's session in Western Australia lists exercise clothing on its what-to-bring list, provides the balls, and says you are welcome to bring your own paddle or hire one.
- Brisbane Pickleball says all equipment is provided at a come-and-try session, asks first-timers to sign up to a come-and-try session first, and asks you to complete the club's waiver form on its website before your first session.
Those are three venues, not a rule. A friendly game at a public court with a mate will not come with a loan paddle, and a club night might. The takeaway is simple: read the booking page, or message the organiser, and ask "is equipment provided?" It takes a minute and saves you buying a paddle you did not need yet.
The first-session checklist
Print it, screenshot it or stick it on the fridge.
| Item | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise clothes | Must bring | You will move side to side and reach, so wear what you would wear to the gym |
| Runners or court shoes | Must bring | You change direction constantly, see the footwear section below |
| Water bottle | Must bring | Named on the City of Sydney page and described as close to mandatory in the player guide |
| Paddle | Ask first | Often supplied or available to hire, but not always |
| Balls | Ask first | The Cockburn page says it provides them; do not assume every venue does |
| Towel | Good to have | A towel keeps your hands dry and helps clean the paddle face |
| Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) | Good to have | For outdoor courts, where there may be little shade |
| Warm layer | Good to have | You sit out between games, and you cool down quickly |
| Signed waiver | Check | Brisbane Pickleball asks for one before the first visit |
| Cash or card for the session | Check | Many sessions charge a small fee, so check the page first |
| Your own gear | Leave at home | Until you have played at least once |
Which shoes should you wear?
Wear shoes with grip and good side-to-side support. The June 2026 player guide says court shoes give you lateral support, court-specific traction and a stable base for quick stops, and that one good pair of court shoes can handle most beginner play.
Why do shoes matter more than the paddle? Pickleball is a lot of small, sharp steps sideways and forwards, and a slippery or soft sole is how people roll an ankle. If you do not own court shoes, the City of Sydney session asks for runners, which is a fair starting point for a first go. Indoor halls sometimes have their own rules about soles, so ask the venue before you leave. If you have a foot, knee or ankle problem, check with a physiotherapist or doctor before you start any new sport.
What should you bring for an outdoor court?
Add sun protection and extra water. Outdoor courts can have little shade, the surface reflects heat, and a session of continuous short rallies adds up.
Here is how it plays out. You arrive for a morning session, drink most of your bottle in the first hour, and realise nobody else is sitting in the sun. A hat and a refill bottle fix both problems. A towel is cheap insurance too, because sweaty hands make a paddle slippery, and the player guide notes a towel also helps clean the paddle face.
Your first-session routine
- At home, read the booking page and ask the organiser whether equipment is provided.
- Pack clothes, shoes, water and a towel in a bag you can leave on the sideline.
- Arrive 10 minutes early to sign in, sort any waiver and meet the organiser.
- Tell the organiser you are new. Most clubs will pair you with people who have time for beginners.
- After the session, write down what you liked about the paddle you borrowed: was it light or heavy, did the handle feel big or small? That note is your shopping list.
Common questions
Do I need my own paddle for my first session?
Often not. The City of Sydney and Brisbane Pickleball pages we checked say equipment is provided, and the City of Cockburn page offers paddle hire. Check the page for your own session.
Do I need to bring balls?
Usually not for a come-and-try session. The Cockburn page says it provides the balls, and the other two pages say all equipment is provided. For an informal game with friends, ask who is bringing them.
Can I wear tennis shoes?
Tennis or court shoes are a sensible choice because they are built for sideways movement. Runners are a fair start for a first session, and you can upgrade once you know you will keep playing.
What do I wear to play pickleball?
Whatever you would wear to a light gym session: breathable top, shorts or leggings, and socks you do not mind sweating in. Pickleball is a casual sport, and nobody expects a uniform.
Is there anything I have to sign?
Some clubs ask you to complete a waiver form. Brisbane Pickleball asks for one before your first session, so check the booking page the day before.
What to do next
If you remember one thing: turn up with clothes, grip underfoot and water, then ask what is provided. Everything else can wait until after your first session. Once you have played a few times, our guide to what it costs to start playing pickleball will help you plan your first purchases. When you want your own kit, our accessories collection has the bits that make session day easier, including a hardshell paddle case that fits a paddle and 4 balls. Every order is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, counted from delivery.