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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2018 | 57 Pickleball Club Last month we featured the explosion of pickleball at Loma Linda's campus and the health benefits the leaders there extol for our sport. It is remarkable how the game is expanding globally. A recent goodwill trip to Hong Kong and Shenzhen China has resulted in the national pickleball organization, USAPA, forging partnerships that may expand all over China. India is becoming a pickleball hotbed with a national association. One avid player said, "The game transcends the barriers of age, gender and strata. It brings people to an equal level where they live happily and peacefully. So it's definitely a health insurance to all of us." That peaceful place wasn't apparent to retired mental health counselor Ric Prewitt when he first tried pickle. At age 60, Ric thought he had played every sport. When told of pickleball, he was blank and just had to see what it's about. But his first experience in downtown Chicago left him cold. The players didn't offer help and just seemed to slam the ball at him. Determined to learn, he visited suburban courts and found a more appealing environment. "Pickleball is a game where you play hard, but play nice." He took this attitude back to the South Side and began teaching the game to inner-city kids. His program has now mushroomed and this active senior has found a new calling in his retirement. Many NBA stars have come out of the neighborhoods Ric is working in. "If all basketball players knew about pickleball, they'd flock to it just like tennis players do," he said. His motto echoes on the Sun Lakes courts whenever pickle is played. We play hard but nice. We hope no beginner ever experiences what Mr. Prewitt encountered and we make every attempt to introduce the game in a helpful and gentle spirit. If you are looking for an activity to get you more exercise, come on out and try pickle. One of the delights of playing here in Sun Lakes is to introduce grandkids to the sport. We have seen some wonderful evenings with two and three generations getting sweaty together! This expansion to kids will increase in this country as pickleball has become an AAU sport. The Amateur Athletic Union has been a leader since 1888 in youth sports and has begun a partnership with pickleball. As one of the largest nonprofit volunteer groups bringing sports to America, their motto is "Sports for All, Forever,. A great slogan for Sun Lakers as well! Pickleball IS health insurance! Our club play hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 to 10 am. For other play opportunities, call our officers: Royce Newman, president at 769-1103 or Veep Nick Caputo at 255- 7841. See you on the courts!