What do you get when you cross badminton, tennis and ping pong?
The answer is an oddly named sport that is growing in popularity internationally and locally in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. It’s a fun, fast-paced sport that can be played by people of all ages and athletic skill levels.
Pickleball got its start as a made-up family game on a lawn in Seattle nearly 60 years ago and is the fastest-growing sport in America, according to Pickleheads website. There are an estimated 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S. making it one of the largest sports in America. And according to Pickleheads, there are 376 pickleball courts in Virginia, and the Commonwealth has the 11th most pickleball courts in the U.S. In the Rivah coverage area, pickleball courts are popping up everywhere. Many have recently been completed, while others are under construction or in development plans. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, you can surely find one nearby.
On a warm Wednesday morning a few weeks ago, there were about 25 players from novices to experts gathered at the courts on the Irvington Commons in Lancaster County.
“Even if you show up to a new place and not know a soul, you can just join in,” said Collen Somerville. “It’s a great way to meet people.
“The game is great but the people are better,” she added. “You can come out, do it, have fun and not know a soul but feel very welcomed.”
Its popularity spans age groups and locations. In urban areas, young, college-aged players are taking over the courts, according to Somerville. The sport is now even being taught in elementary school physical education classes.
Pickleball is played on a court slightly smaller than a regulation tennis court. Players use a wooden paddle to hit a plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball but with smaller holes, making for some tricky bounces. It’s fast-paced but involves less running than tennis. And professional instructor and player Craig Smith says, the more skilled a player becomes the slower and more deliberate the shots become.
Pickleball: Easier, shorter, more social
“The learning curve initially is easier than tennis,” said Smith, who often plays in Irvington.
“Grandchildren can play with grandparents,” said Lynnie McCrobie of Weems. “It’s ideal for any age level.”
According to Somerville, leagues, especially in cities, are now specifically geared to younger players.
“You have a ton of young people ranked in the top 20 players in the world now,” said Smith.
A typical pickleball game—which is played to 11 points—takes about 15 minutes, which makes the sport a lot more appealing to some than tennis.
“And it’s way more social than tennis,” said Smith.
Although the rules may seem a little daunting at first, Smith says not to fear.
“In the first six months, you’ll never know what the score is and that’s fine.”
Locally, many players use the TeamReach app to communicate about what days and where they are playing.
So whatever your athletic ability or age, grab a paddle, pickleball and head to the court to make new friends with an added health-boost bonus.
