Pickleball's a big dill

29 Sep 2024 Pickleball’s a big dill

Posted at 7:11 PMh in Health & Beauty by Karl Lenser

By Karl Lenser

The sport of pickleball continues to grow in popularity in the 501 and throughout the country. Pickleball, which was created in Bainbridge Island, Wash., near Seattle back in the late 1970s, has become the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Its popularity has also spread to Europe and South America. So why has this sport become so popular?

Melanie and Karl Lenser (from left) play pickleball with friends Livia Kimura and Marcos Pires weekly. Photos by Makenzie Evans.

One of the primary factors in its popularity is that it is designed for all ages and ability levels and does not require a great financial investment. All you need are paddles and the ball and you are ready to go. Entry-level paddles can be purchased for around ^$35 and pickleballs range from ^$1 a ball to ^$3 a ball, depending on the quality.

Gear can be found in a variety of retail outlets such as sporting goods stores or Walmart. I have also noticed pickleball paddles and balls for sale at some running stores and even at a grocery store. Pickelballcentral.com and Amazon both offer a large supply of products to help you get started or to upgrade your current equipment.

Courts can be used for free in some locations or rented when individuals want to guarantee a time for a court. Every facility has its own fee structure and reservation policy, so it is best to do some research before venturing out to a park or recreation center. Another cost-saving aspect of the sport is that players do not need any special shoes to play. However, a tennis/court shoe does provide a bit more stability and lateral support.

Another factor that draws people to pickleball is that you don’t have to possess highly refined athletic skills to play it. Compared to tennis, for example, pickleball is played on a much smaller court and is a much slower sport, which makes it more appealing to a large population base. This is especially true when playing doubles, which is what the majority of individuals play.

The sport is a great way to elevate your heart rate and expend some calories while having fun. It is an excellent sport for developing leg strength, flexibility and eye-to-hand coordination. It is amazing to see how many steps one can accumulate during an hour of doubles.

In addition to being a great way to expend calories, pickleball provides a very significant social aspect to the sport. It is a wonderful way to meet people and develop new friendships with others who enjoy this sport.

It also provides an opportunity for families to get together, exercise and create memories. The court is small, and the overall speed of the game is ideal for parents to exercise with their children while having fun and making memories.

Based on my experiences as a player, the atmosphere around pickleball is positive, friendly and encouraging. Depending on the skill level or goals of the players, it can be social and noncompetitive, or it can be highly competitive. No matter what one’s ability level is, the game is fun to play and easy to learn.

One caveat for players is the risk for injuries that can arise as they become more dedicated and their volume of play increases over time. Most of the injuries that I have noticed occur in the elbow and shoulder area, and that is due to the repetitive nature of the sport. Incorporating a consistent stretching and strengthening program for the upper and lower body would be a wise investment for current and future enthusiasts.

Where can you play pickleball in the 501? The demand for courts is exceeding the supply of courts in many cities. Fortunately, the 501 area has increased the availability of courts over the past few years. For courts in the Little Rock area, check out pickleheads.com/courts/us/arkansas/little-rock. For pickleball information in Faulkner County, check out the Faulkner County Pickleball Club on Facebook.

If you have never tried this sport, I encourage you to give it a try. It is easy to learn and is a fun way to get some exercise as well.

To learn the official rules, visit usapickleball.org.