64 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | DECEMBER 2017 |
Pickleball Club
Pickleball continues to grow locally and nationally and is gaining
increased attention from national media. A recent story on National
Public Radio highlighted the boom that has brought in nearly three
million players across the country. NPR's reporter, Ingfei Chen, visited
several locales in California and documented some of the most
compelling reasons folks are taking to the sport. Inter-generational
play was the spur for Ms. Chen to learn the game. She had long played
tennis with her now-87 year old father (still nimble, she says!). Now,
they are on the smaller court learning together and having a ball.
USA Pickleball Association ambassador and nurse Karen Long
told the reporter "Even sedentary seniors can safely be taught an easy
doubles game…" But, she added, "it takes a long time to perfect."
An exercise science professor from Salt Lake City noted that even if
you've had shoulder or knee injuries, "you could still probably play a
pretty competitive game of pickleball doubles and get your heart rate
to the high end of the moderate-intensity exercise zone."
This column has often touted the social benefits of pickleball.
That dimension is capturing the attention of researchers. A study in
the Journal of Positive Psychology sampled 153 players in Texas and
Florida and reports "The more deeply engaged in pickleball these
enthusiasts were, the more likely they were to be highly satisfied with
their lives and have a positive experience with aging."
So, what are YOU waiting for?! Come and join the Three Million
Club! We play mornings at 8 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
If you are interested in alternate days and times, we have those as
well. If you are new to the sport or have any questions, give one of our
officers a call. They can clue you in on other times and places to play
when our courts are occupied by our friends in POP Tennis. We are
always happy to arrange clinics for beginners as well. You can reach
President Royce Newman at 769-1103 or Vice President Nick Caputo
at 255-7841. See you on the courts!
