The first time I heard about pickle ball was when an older tennis friend told me she and her husband were playing at a local park because she could no longer cover the tennis court. The first time I encountered the game being played was watching my son and daughter in law playing in their community on a newly lined court on an existing hard surface tennis court. It appeared to be fun but the scoring seemed impossible to comprehend. They suggested i take a paddle, stand close to the net but not in the “kitchen” and give it a test. With my right wrist still encased in a cast after surgery for a broken wrist ( bicycle accident), I attempted to return the wiffle ball. Whiff, try again, whiff again. Not only did I laugh a lot but realized my tennis and ping pong skills did not predict an easy adjustment to hitting the yellow wiffle ball.
In anticipation of the construction of 8 new courts in our community. three tennis friends and I drove down to a local park to “play” pickleball after watching a single Youtube video in the Spring of 2021. We probably had more laughs than successful returns over the net but we did have fun and repeated it a couple more times, even hiring an instructor for one of our dates. More experienced players at the park actually invited us to join their group to play but we graciously declined.
Fast forward: Construction began on our pickle balls courts with lots of anticipation for a new activity.
Fast forward: I started to hear of many accidents occurring while playing this popular sport. I came to the conclusion that after two broken wrists (the first while playing ping pong) I probably would be better off returning the borrowed paddles and balls to my children and that’s what I did. Why take a chance of injuring myself and then not being able to play tennis, golf, kayak or play my piano?
Fast forward: The pickle ball courts are completed and free instruction is being offered. I borrow back the paddles and balls and sign up for “Pickle Ball 101”.
Having had two sessions with instructors and newbies I‘m hooked to continue learning to play this popular game for all the reasons pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in the US. It’s easy to learn, fun for all ages and is a social and inclusive activity.
Life is a challenge - Challenges are not obstacles - but opportunities to show us strength and courage to overcome our fears…………
-Harriet