Pickleball Revolution

Who’d have ever thought a game with a name that includes the word pickle would ever become the nation’s fastest growing sport? Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three dads looking to entertain their kids and the silly name was borrowed from the sport of rowing, where the slowest boat is the pickle boat. The pace of this racquet game is slower than tennis as it’s played with a hollow plastic ball that travels at about a third of the speed of a tennis ball. Nowadays the sport is taking the Parks and Recreation world by storm, and no wonder; people of all ages can play, and you don’t have to be a world class athlete to join in.

Pickleball, first played with a whiffle ball and some makeshift oversized tennis paddles, has evolved plenty over the years. Today’s standard pickleball courts are 44 feet by 20 feet, much smaller than a standard tennis court, and paddles come in different shapes and weights, with different core and surface materials. It can be played indoors or outdoors, and many parks and recreation organizations are converting old tennis courts to pickleball courts to accommodate the growing popularity of the sport.

There are plenty of great reasons to get into pickleball. Pickleball is the lowest impact racquet sport which means the multitude of health benefits that come with being active and getting your blood pumping aren’t overshadowed by excess stress on your joints. Playing pickleball can help develop better hand-eye coordination, and keeps your brain engaged which can improve cognitive function. The pickleball community is big and diverse, and if you join in, you may just find your new bestie. Many communities host pickleball events and tournaments that are a great opportunity to play with and get to know people in your area. Not to mention, exercise releases endorphins which make you feel happy. Happy people make great friends!

So what are you waiting for? Go find a paddle, join the pickleball revolution, and get your happy on my friend!