It’s the world’s fastest growing recreational game in America. A scaled-down version of tennis on a much smaller court, it is an easy sport to pick up and ALL ages are playing it, from school gyms to senior living centers. Pickleball combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and has recently skyrocketed to over 12 million players in the USA alone. It originally won a following in retirement communities where it was beloved for its social aspect and exercise benefits.
The game can be played in singles or doubles, inside or outside, on a court a third the size of a tennis court. Players use a plastic perforated ball and graphite or carbon fiber paddles that are about twice the size of a ping-pong paddle. “It’s good exercise, it’s strategic, it can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be, and most of the time it’s just good fun,” adds Javonni Burchett, Clinic Director for SOKY Pickleball Clinics (SOKYPC).
Getting off the couch and onto the court offers a wide range of health perks, including mental health. “It is a lot less strenuous than playing tennis, so retired tennis players love pickleball. They can use many of their same skills,” according to David Hume, a Senior Pickleball Instructor in Bowling Green. “Unlike tennis, this game is very easy to learn. Mostly within just a few classes with the various courses that we offer.”
“From losing weight to lowering blood pressure, improving flexibility to improving muscle strength, combating loneliness to fighting off bouts of depression and even becoming a more well-rounded social being – these are just some of the benefits you can gain through playing pickleball regularly during open play in area gymnasiums,” states Michael Jackson, who is also a local Certified Pickleball Instructor with SOKYPC.
“Human beings are social animals. Part of being healthy includes having a social circle that fulfills our need to interact with others. When you open yourself up to an activity such as pickleball, you are introduced to like-minded individuals. This activity can help improve all aspects of a senior person’s life,” says Ms. Burchett. “It improves their cognitive functioning, physical strength and social interaction. Pickleball, most often played by seniors with four (4) people at a time in gymnasiums and in outdoor parks, is an excellent condition for broadening our social web and increasing the amount of face-to-face interaction with your fellow humans.”
“Open play pickleball play is offered every morning and some afternoons during the week to seniors at all Warren County gymnasiums. It helps people make new friends, creates face-to-face social interaction, reduces the risk of depression and lowers levels of loneliness. We are so fortunate to have not just one but three state-of-the art gyms to play in,” says Ms. Burchett. “Many of us also play outdoors at two locations in the city, which has a total of 12 courts. We bring our lounge chairs and water bottles and soak up the sun at the same time during warm months.”
Playing pickleball as a form of serious leisure may add significant value to older adults’ daily lives and contribute to successful aging – according to an article in The Journal of Positive Psychology titled, “Importance of Playing Pickleball for Older Adults.” Players have been reported experiencing a much higher heart rate while participating in pickleball compared to walkers and they have also been found to burn more calories. This study also revealed that players experience a higher level of enjoyment while engaging in this sport as opposed to walking alone or going to a gym.
“Pickleball players are an inclusive bunch, so find a group with similar skills and join the crowd!” recommends Cori DePrato, a senior player and pickleball enthusiast in Bowling Green. Pickleball Open Play is free to all seniors in all the Warren County gymnasiums which have four to eight basketball courts marked off for pickleball on each one. Younger players tend to take to the outdoor courts in the spring and summer months. There are currently close to 1000 members on the Bowling Green Pickleball Facebook page with at least that many or more playing. That number is expected to climb as pickleball classes and clinics continue to be offered by SOKYPC, who presently have three certified instructors on board.
Senior Beginner Clinics and Introductory Classes are offered weekly by SOKYPC. They also offer Crash Courses where you can learn the game in under three (3) hours. Adult Beginner Clinics are also always on tap as well as Youth Pickleball Camps during the summer months.
Private pickleball clubs are cropping up all over the nation, which often include other services such as spas, restaurants and swimming pools as part of their membership, much like tennis clubs were originally created. People who work 9 to 5 in Bowling Green are in desperate need of a facility to play in during winter months. The county gyms are trying to accommodate them around their youth sports leagues, which is very challenging. We are hoping the City will see the need to provide a space for this fast-growing recreational game. Players are even willing to pay memberships, which is the norm in all pickleball clubs.
To learn more about pickleball, YouTube is a good resource. Thousands of videos on how the game is played are depicted there.
For more information, visit Bowling Green Pickleball on Facebook and the SOKYPC’s website at: bit.ly/sokypickleballclinics. Free introductory classes are offered throughout the year. You can sign up for them as well on the SOKYPC website. Of course, you are also welcome to just come watch us play!
-submitted by SOKY Pickleball Clinics
