Your first game: what to expect

Everyone was new once. Here's how to make your first Rally game easy.

Pick a friendly game

Look for the green sprout. Beginner-friendly games are patient and relaxed.
“Rally / hit” games are practice without keeping score, which makes them an easy way to start.
Doubles is social and less running. It's fine to tell others it's your first time in the game chat.

A racquet (a basic one is fine), court shoes or runners with non-marking soles, and water.
A can of balls if you have one. Whoever opens a new can usually gets a thank-you.
Layers: Victoria mornings and evenings get cool, even in summer.

Free, first-come courts (Saanich's park courts, Beacon Hill Park and the Esquimalt High School courts): just show up. If people are waiting, play 30 minutes or one set, then rotate.
City of Victoria courts can be booked online up to 3 weeks ahead ($10/hr adults). Unbooked courts are free to use until a booking starts.
Oak Bay courts (Henderson, Windsor, Carnarvon) can be booked up to 4 days ahead, or used free when not booked.
Rally shows who's booking the court for each game, and links to the right booking page.

Call balls on your side of the net, and give the other player the benefit of the doubt.
If your ball rolls onto another court, wait for their point to finish before asking for it.
Say sorry for a lucky net cord and thanks at the end. That's most of it.