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Pickleball Each month, we try to give you some interesting facts about the game of Pickleball and our club. For those of you who have been playing the game and loving it and all you future pickleballers, here are a few "factoids:" • The game originated in the Seattle area and remained a local sport for many years. • The original non-volley zone or the "kitchen," as we affectionately call it, was originally only three feet deep. The inventors of the game quickly realized that the larger, stronger players would dominate the game at the net and moved the kitchen back to seven feet deep. • A Boeing Industrial Engineer invented the first composite paddle that we know today. He used the fiberglas/nomex honeycomb panels that commercial airlines use for their floors and part of the airplane's structural system. • All the rules were put in place to balance the game and make it a game that all could play. As we know, finesse in the game of Pickleball is just as important as power and strong shots. • As of 2003, Pickleball was only played in 10 states. It is now played in all 50 states and is the fastest growing sport in the nation. We can attest to that here. We have 57 members on our roster. Our weekly club sessions average 15 to 20 players (some days more) and we are quickly outgrowing our space we share with Paddle Tennis. Now that we have a reservation system, we can monitor the play that the courts are getting. For the past two weeks, the Pickleball and Paddle Tennis Clubs have had over 150 players using the courts each week. Between our scheduled sessions and free play, over 120 Pickleball players utilized the courts each of the past two weeks. That is just the players that we know of — there were probably more. We have accomplished a lot in the short time we have been playing — more benches, umbrellas, a trash can, a new broom and finally, we have the post extensions finished to hold our new, official nets. Most importantly, we've started a sport that's open to all levels of expertise and a sport that's so much fun, we are adding new players every week. It is addictive and it is great exercise. Don't listen to the naysayers that say Pickleball is "tennis for old people" — it's anything but. It's a fantastic way to get in shape, make new friends, and enjoy the outdoors. Join us. You will love it. We'll see you on the courts or come to our next meeting in the Ballroom on July 16, at 10:30 am. We look forward to seeing you. One last thing; unfortunately, the tournament with Sun Lakes on June 29 will be rescheduled for a later date. Our open play times are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. at 9 am. For advanced levels, the time is Monday, 6 pm. For more information, please call or e-mail Linda at (951) 797-3939 or lbsnipes@yahoo.com. ~ Linda Snipes SPORTS & Outdoor ACTIVITIES | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2013 39

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