Pickleball for All!
Do you have that person in your life who will not stop talking about pickleball? Yeah, so did we. Now we are one with them. We capitulated. We tried it out. We are new members of Pickleball Nation. For those of you who are among the uninitiated, you might be asking…why. Here is why. It is fun, easy to learn, highly social, great outdoor time and can be laidback or as competitive as you choose. Just pick your pickleball partners and watch a whole new world of chilled out exercise envelop you.
The Rules & What You Need to Know
Don’t leave us yet, please. It’s basic, or at least our understanding is. The game is played indoors or out. Consider it a fun, more ergonomic version of tennis, badminton and ping pong. The court is smaller and the paddles you play with are wider and more forgiving. You can play singles or doubles. Either way, a pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball, or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.
The History (If You Care)
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts. And it is growing super-fast here!
Where to Play – HOBOKEN!
An awesome and informal group, Hudson Pickleball are informal ambassadors of the game and have set up game times at the courts at 64 Harrison St in Hoboken. There are organized games and tournaments, open times and lessons, and even mom pickleball sessions!
Follow @hudsonpickleball for more information. Trust us, it’s worth doing. Do it!