Pickleball has many benefits and everyone should learn to play. Its demand has increased significantly. This fun and social game is gaining popularity in the senior community and also amongst families, teens, college-aged, and celebrities like Ellen Degeneres and Kim Kardashian.
Yes, the name gets a chuckle every time you try to explain it to someone new. But one thing we know is people love it and it's growing at an exponential rate.
WHAT IS PICKLEBALL:
In short, Pickleball was invented in 1965 and combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The sport can be played both indoors or outdoors using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It is played on a badminton- size court and a slightly modified tennis net. This seemingly new racquet sport is enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. It can be played as doubles or singles, but a majority of courts around you see this social sport being enjoyed by doubles.
A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
Played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.
Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
Played as doubles or singles.
Can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels
BENEFITS: Pickleball is great for the whole family, not just for seniors anymore....there are social, emotional, and mental health benefits.
WHY to GET STARTED - Pickleball has many benefits and everyone should start to play. It has become the fastest-growing sport in the US and its demand during this pandemic has increased significantly. Pickleball is a fun social game and has not only gained much popularity in the senior community but also amongst families, teens, college-aged and celebrities like Ellen Degeneres, Bill Gates, Nick Foles, Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
SOCIAL BENEFIT- get social and meet new friends - the pickleball community is one of the most welcoming communities we have come across. It also can become very addictive. Just ask the co-founder of "The Pickleball Experience" a pickleball coaching company, Jemuel Morris who is an avid pickleball coach and enthusiast who became addicted to pickleball the very first day he played the sport on Orcas Island, Washington. That day he needed a jump for his car and he happened to be in front of the pickleball courts, he not only got his jump but a new passion in life. From that day on, his life has changed and each day his drive and love for the game of pickleball continue to grow.
The Pickleball Experience team includes 3 of the Pacific Northwest top 50 male players. They provide pickleball camps near you, private lessons, and destination clinics and workshops in Washington and across the country. Their coaching has helped many students learn the game, increase their skills, and strengthen their weaknesses in a fun, enjoyable way.
“We are unlike any of the pickleball workshops out there, we have unique games and drills, customize our lessons to the group, have so much fun, and make great friends and connections”. What makes them especially unique is the innovative and creative drills you have never experienced before because they have been created by the team.
To learn more about private lessons, 1-day clinics, or 2-3 day pickleball camps.
Go to https://www.thepickleballexperience.com/
Some very happy pickleballers or pickle pals state "The Pickleball Experience has changed our whole Pickleball community!".
"He is amazing, he took one look at what I was doing and told me what I needed to do and it changed my third shot drop.
Photos provided include The Pickleball Experience Team in Kona, Hawaii teaching classes and drills. Peter Hudachko, Brian Ashworth and Jemuel Morris
How to get started playing pickleball :
PADDLES TO GET STARTED - A great starter bundle set for the whole family is by ANOKII CO SPORT who is Launching theIr pickleball paddles starter bundle set - it has everything you need to get started- 2 paddles, 4 balls quick rule guide, and some fun extras, minus the court and net of course. A rep from Anokii co sport states "we wanted to design fun and great looking paddles for the whole family. The paddles have a premium graphite face with a honeycomb core which make it light and comfortable at about 7.6 ounces. They come in 4 bright colors with the pickleball common terminology and lingo right on the paddle face. Words like dinking and drop shot for example. For more info on where to get your starter set go here www.anokiico.com/pickleballset
Photo provided shows the Anokii Co Pickleball Set Colors
WHERE TO PLAY: Finding courts is as easy as doing a quick google search or even using an app on your phone - there are quite a few apps that are dedicated to finding pickleball courts to play in your area using your phone's GPS. Hot spots include states like Arizona, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont.
Public courts are usually at your local public parks with tennis courts as many have been converted to pickleball courts due to the growing demand.
Usually, there is never a problem finding people to play with if you are a solo pickleball player - there are usually regularly scheduled Open play-Round robin times a few times a week where pickleballers of many levels come in and take their turn to play. Some courts also have private time slots available if you have your own group. Private indoor courts are also available in many places which usually charge a small use fee.
LIMITED COURTS: Pickleball is a fast and growing sport and so is the need for more courts. When people can't find good courts to play on or just want their own private courts due to covid- they will set up their own court if their driveway is big enough and even on their neighborhood street if neighbors don't protest. In the case of this street in this Portland neighborhood, a pickleball court was set up in the middle of the street. "all the neighbors wanted to get some time on our pickleball court, Everyone loves it!" stated this pickleball enthusiast.
The photo provided shows a pickleball court set up on the street in this Portland neighborhood.
UPCOMING PICKLEBALL EXPERIENCES & CLASSES: The Pickleball Experience has upcoming clinics in Washington, Southern California, Oregon, and Montana. Stay up to date for experiences and inquire about them coming to your city. https://www.thepickleballexperience.com/pages/upcoming-experiences-page
For the beginner and novice learn the basic rules, top tips, and strategy for court positioning, court awareness, advancing to the kitchen from the baseline, and focus on stroke production and technique. For the well-versed players 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 levels- we will teach more advanced drills and strategies: examples include :
