While pickleball has been rising in popularity, Shuffleboard is still a game enjoyed by many Winter Texans. Shuffleboard did slow down a few years ago, but it is making a huge come back and shufflers are shuffling once again. According to an article we published last year, new shufflers are coming in at a rate not seen in many years.

“It’s the shuffleboard resurgence,” said Henry Miller in that article.

Brenda Noakes, president of the Texas Sate Shuffleboard Association, said numbers hit a low about six to seven years ago, but they were working hard and doing things differently now to attract more shufflers. Last year they had 80 new players in just a few months’ time.

And just with other activities during the Winter Texan season, a surge of players is expected to increase after the holidays as the full entourage of Winter Texans make their way to south Texas.

Last year, the Rio Grande Valley Shuffleboard Association had great turnouts at their events, and they plan on having bigger crowds this year as travel has picked up this season. They have about 20 tournaments each season and use nearly 40 courts throughout southern Texas.

Ric Cunningham, president of the Rio Grande Valley Shuffleboard Association is excited to get this season’s tournaments started. There have already been a few, but it gets busier these next three months.

To participate, you must be a member of the RGVSA. You can visit their website at https://rgvsa.weebly.com/ for more information and a full schedule of events.
Their first tournament of the year starts on January 2, with entries closing on December 29. The tournament will start with the ladies, then men, then a finals game on January 4. The event will be held at Fun-n-Sun. Entry fee is $5. This tournament is for men’s and ladies’ singles 75+.

The next tournament is doubles on January 9 and will be held at Pine to Palm.

Tournaments are held nearly every Tuesday through Thursday from January 2 to March 7. Entry deadlines are usually the Friday before the event. Flyers with more information can be found on the website.

To compete in the events, shufflers must be part of the Texas State Shuffleboard Association. There is a lifetime membership fee and an entry fee per event.
For more information about the RGVSA visit their website or call or text (720) 254-5967.

The association conducts Texas State Shuffleboard Association sanctioned tournaments. To learn more about the Texas Shuffleboard Association, visit https://txshuffle.weebly.com.

You can also find the Texas Shuffleboard Association, and other groups, online at https://www.national-shuffleboard-association.us/texas.html.