Pickleball may sound like a funny name for a sport, but it is no joke. In fact, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.
It was created out of boredom as a family sport, something everyone at any age could participate in. The story goes, according to the USA Pickleball Association, that Congressman Joel Pritchard and a friend came up with the game in 1965 on an old Badminton court at Pritchard’s property on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They came home from playing golf and found their families with nothing to do. Since they couldn’t find a full set of badminton rackets, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball. Over the next few weekends, the friends began to create rules and adjusted the height of the net to 36 inches, all the while keeping in mind that the purpose of the game was for everyone in the family to be able to play together.
Today, pickleball is played all over the country in recreation centers, gyms and YMCAs, indoors and outdoors. It has become increasingly popular among the active older adult population. Some play for fun and fellowship, some for their health and others for the thrill of competing in tournaments.
I spoke with Eileen Kaminski, who leads the group at the Campo Family YMCA, and Bruce Curtis, who runs the pickleball league at the Plant City Family YMCA. Both are so passionate about their sport and were eager to tell me all about it.
Kaminski tells me that the pickleball club at the Campo YMCA began in 2011 with a group of nine women. That group has grown to as many as 66 men and women, if you include the “snowbirds.” She described the group as “a family who cares about each other and enjoys each other’s company.” They attend charity events together, attend church together, visit each other’s houses, visit each other in the hospital and support each other in tournaments. Every Wednesday, they go to lunch together. Sometimes it is five or six people and sometimes as many as 20. Over the past four years, the group has sent 60 teams to the Hillsborough County Senior Games, where they have won many medals.
Bruce Curtis and his wife, Laura, joined the Plant City YMCA more than 15 years ago, looking for something to do. They wanted to stay active and meet people. Bruce said one of the things he loves most about Pickleball is being able to connect with other people and really getting to know them. Besides that, he says, it is great exercise. They play daily from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and the amount of playing time varies depending on how many people show up that day. Typically, there are 12 to 16 people of different ages and fitness levels. The youngest player is 50, the oldest is 85 and there are a variety of skill sets from very experienced to new players. The group welcomes newcomers and will work with them, teaching them hitting, positioning, rules and how to keep score. Some compete in tournaments. Though Curtis is very competitive by nature, he chooses not to. He plays, he said, “because I enjoy it.”
Angela Fulgieri is a Wellness Experience Director for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Write her at observerfitness@ gmail.com.