Photo courtesy of Lauren Law.
I’ve read that pickleball is for everyone. Well, everyone may not agree with that. But it is for anyone who is interested in meeting new people, getting great exercise and willing to learn a new game.
A few weeks ago my partner for one game was a 92 year-old Italian American man who called me honey, which made me laugh. I’ve played with a 60s man who has cancer (and is in chemo treatment), a 20+ year old who just got into medical school, a former dentist with Parkinson’s, a 30s woman from Thailand who first started playing with a wooden paddle, a 60s woman who also competes in square dancing and another with twin grandkids + 2 more, a 70s woman who has no filter and is so darn funny, a cardiac nurse who’s wicked good, a man who never met a stranger and orders his new friends a paddle name band, and a 20 year-old boy (who knows my son) and ran to my aid when I tore my calf muscle last fall (he wants to be an orthopedic doctor). Yes, you can get injured but just be smart—warm up before you play and try to do some weight bearing exercise to strengthen your muscles.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Law
I have several groups that I play with and I want thank my friend Cathie for inviting me to her group including Laura, Jan and Judy. I also love playing with long time friends Barbara, Carrie, and now Kathryn, my BFF, who recently joined my two groups and is new to the game. And finally, I love playing with my college friend, Jody, and her friends in Sarasota and when she comes to visit me in Dallas.
One Saturday morning I played for three hours and laughed so much during this one game of three delightful women including the one with no filter. What’s better than that—exercise, friendship and laughter, followed by a great night of sleep. The only thing better would be getting my husband, son and his girlfriend out to play with me one of these days.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Law.
I love this game so much and I hope you’ll give it a try. You can play indoors or outdoors at many YMCAs, recreation centers, and in some cities there are places you can rent courts by the hour, such as the PGA Tour Superstore, Chicken N Pickle(Food, Fun, and Pickleball) and Pickleball Kingdom (outdoor surfaces with indoor benefits). Some places will also loan or rent you a paddle. If you’re traveling, you’ll want to check out these 25 pickleball resorts.
If you live in the Dallas/FW area, this fall, November 5-12, the USA National Pickleball Championship (projected to the be largest pickleball tournament in history) will be held at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch. Live music, food and beverage vendors and family-friendly activities will be located on a street within the country club known as “Pickleball Boulevard”.
I made a decision to focus on my health this year and beyond. As long as my body holds up, I can see playing pickleball well into my 80s or even my 90s. I hope you’ll join me and the millions of people who are enjoying the benefits of this amazing sport. Give it a try!
