Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1506022
"If it bleeds, it leads." So goes the infamous motto of your friendly local "News at 11." Normally staid roving reporters breathlessly cover murder/suicide in a cul-de-sac-near-you. The gorier the better. There seems to be nothing we TV consumers love more than hearing about violence in neighborhoods just like ours. At least, that's what the producers of "news" dish out. Thankfully pickleball doesn't have on-court fist fights or random acts of terror to report. We do have the occasional orthopedic mishap. Sun Lakers have been known to tumble or turn an ankle. We have had a broken wrist, a wrenched shoulder. Wear and tear has sent a few of us in search of new hips or knees. That toll has accumulated over many years, not weeks or months. Such injuries have been quite rare, in fact. But they do happen. Yet, your scribe has noted an uptick in people asking about the hazards of our sport. People are hearing a lot about how "dangerous" the game is and how many players are hospital-bound due to pickleball. This seems due to the proliferation of reporting in the national media on the topic. More and more outlets have seized on pickleball injuries as though there is an epidemic to rival Covid-19. Nonsense. As with any sport there are risks. But we hear of more people tripping over leashes while dog- walking than happen over a typical year on our courts. We try to caution new players about some basic safety tips. First and foremost, don't backpeddle. Tennis players have long known to use a side-step rather than move straight back with eyes up. We seniors, especially, have to be careful with balance and backpeddling is a real concern. So are ladders. Another important measure is to wear true court shoes, without knotty tread that can catch on the court. Just paying attention to these two suggestions will eliminate most trouble. Coaches will emphasize stretching to avoid torn muscles, always a good idea. Finally, as our summer grinds on, we need to all remember to stay hydrated. The courts have a fridge to keep our electrolytes cool. We don't want anyone to be cavalier about health concerns but neither should new players be deterred from the wonderful benefits of the exercise and camaraderie that pickleball offers. Let's face it, the media thrive on sensationalism. Take the "warnings" with an appropriate dose of salt. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 59