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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2021 57 This article begins long ago in a pre-pandemic world when a group of Four Seasons Pickleball players arrived at The Palm Desert Tennis Gardens to watch the Pickleball National Finals. We watched as a couple from Billings, Mont. played on center court in the finals, and afterwards spoke to them and discovered they played at the YMCA in Billings, Mont.… seriously, does anyone know where Billings, Mont. actually is? Because I have family there and spend a good amount of time in Billings, I got to explore this thriving pickleball community for two months this fall. Introduced in 2002 by Coach Larry Seekins, he was been instrumental in developing the Pickleball program at the YMCA in Billings, and in the state. Coaching for 31 years, he has worked with six national champions, two Hall of Famers, and taught over 3,000 people of all ages to enjoy the game. I was lucky enough to work with him and ask him many questions. Why Pickleball? Larry credits Pickleball with saving his life. As an engineer he had developed a sedentary lifestyle at a young age. Pickleball got him up and moving and with its vigorous lifestyle he developed relationships with other likeminded competitive players (sound familiar?). Three things he considers most important: 1) Have PATIENCE; 2) Develop ACCURACY; 3) Have a STRATEGY. He offers three strategies as well: 1) Look for the GAP; 2) Go for the GUT; 3) Hit with GUSTO (but, have a strategy that gets you to the point that you can smack it with gusto!). Then he will tell you five more important strategies to get you to be a top notch competitor: 1) Learn to DINK; 2) Develop your DROP SHOT (he was very big on the "3rd shot drop" Perry!); 3) Don't be afraid to use a DIRTY TRICK; 4) #4 is something that will win you no friends but it will help you to win in tournaments – DESPICABLENESS (you know, if your opponent is on the baseline and you hit a spinning dink just over the net.); and the one we all LOVE: 5) DUMB LUCK. Lastly, Larry's philosophy as a coach, competitor, and fan of the game: "There is no real meaning or purpose in pickleball, but there is meaning in the relationships you develop." Here at Four Seasons we have all seen relationships in action as we watched lives saved by friends, meals provided when needed, laughter at in-house tournaments, support and treats offered to members competing in outside tournaments, field trips, and day- to-day interactions of smiles, hugs, teasing, and fun! On a recent field trip that grew from two pickleballers going camping in an RV in Chula Vista, to a large self-invited group of 20+, it was evident that relationships and fun were had by all, the common denominator being this fine thing we call Pickleball. ~ Julie Stayner, juliestayner@ gmail.com Pickleball Pickleball players don't just hit balls with small paddles! Four Seasons Pickleballers on an impromptu field trip in Chula Vista Larry Seekins, developer of Pickleball in Billings, Mont. demonstrates technique

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