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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JANUARY 2025 | 55 POP Tennis POP Tennis, formerly known as Paddle Tennis, is a fun, fast sport that can be enjoyed by people at all fitness levels. Though played on a smaller court, with a different paddle, and 20 percent deflated tennis balls, POP Tennis is otherwise scored and regulated like traditional tennis. POP Tennis is played on the courts to the left of the Main Clubhouse usually on Thursday mornings from 8 to 10 am (fall/winter hours). Additionally, there is a group that plays Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm. People are free to come and go as their schedules permit. Hours are subject to change, so it is best to check the bulletin board located at the courts for current play times. All are welcome and there are always friendly folks to teach beginners the game! Paddles and balls are provided too. For more information or to express a desire to be on a decision-making committee, please feel free to contact Carl Miller at (951) 512-3131 Hope you'll POP in! LOOKING BACK ON THE YEAR THAT WAS … As the calendar turns another page, our club can take satisfaction in the growth we have experienced in 2024. We now have over 100 members! And that doesn't include a number who play fairly often but have not joined as yet. We have made great use of the facilities so generously provided by our resort. All eight courts at the Sun Lakes Pickleball Pavilion are frequently holding play on busy mornings. We can accommodate visitors from surrounding communities and still have room for the increasing number of new players. Those visitors f lock to Sun Lakes to compete with some of the best picklers in the Inland Empire. Our veterans regularly participate in and often win local tournaments. While some are truly top-notch, the majority of us can enjoy the fun and exercise the game affords and still get a chance occasionally to play above our pay grade, the best way to improve. The club has a great online forum to let folks know who is playing and when. It's called GroupMe. By joining, you have the opportunity to check in any time you're looking to play. Club veteran Royce Newman is the administrator of the app. You can call him at (951) 809-2303 to get set up. Beyond the courts, the club has hosted parties and tournaments. This year we contributed over $1,000 to Sun Lakes Charities. We've celebrated birthdays and had the lovely opportunity to feature the Martin family as a four-generational band of picklers. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE YEAR AHEAD … Morning play usually begins about 7:30 am. The "second shift" filters in from 9 am or so and play continues until late morning. Cooler weather attracts afternoon play which will gravitate to evenings under the lights as summer approaches. We welcome drop-ins and guests throughout the day. Even if you don't play, keep pickleball in mind for your visiting family and friends. The Pavilion is located next to the North Clubhouse near the gym and pool. We have kept club dues at a modest $15 per year. For that, we offer one or two hosted parties and the club supplies balls. We also have club shirts available for purchase. As a gentle reminder, those dues are due. Any of our officers will gladly deliver payments to club treasurer Dan Cosner. We live in an "active senior community." There is no better evidence of that than on our courts. If you or someone you know would like to explore the joys of pickle, give our club vice-president, Judy Luna, a call at (949) 929-2390. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club

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