Save the Date: National Pickleball Month Spring Fling April 13
April is National Pickleball Month. To celebrate Gig Blitz and Robin Stahnke are hosting a Spring Fling social for all Evergreen-area pickleball players in El Rancho’s Aspen Room and lower patio. We’ll be taking reservations to get a head count as we get closer to the date, but we wanted to let you know so you can save the date now.
“Evergreen Pickleball South” Convening in Arizona Lately
We’ve got a contingent of Evergreen pickleball players hiding out in the Arizona desert. Bud and Karen Parr were trying to get away from the rest of us and journeyed south, only to find a bunch of transplants on the pickleball courts there. Pat Theno, Don Washco, June and Bruce Flinn, Julie and Tom Flint, and Sue and Tom Karas welcomed the Parrs. Who knew there was an Evergreen, AZ?!
Help Return a Lost Paddle to Its Owner
A wandering paddle disappeared from Wulf gym week of Feb. 7. It’s a Paddletek Tempest Wave II with orange red markings. Responds to "Jim.” Very friendly and approachable. If you’ve seen Jim hiding in your bag let us know and we’ll arrange a get together with its owner.
Pickleball is the Fastest Growing Sport Two Years in a Row
Having more than 4.8 million participants nationwide, and a growth of 39.3% over the last two years, pickleball was officially announced as the fastest-growing sport in America for the second year in a row, according to The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) 2022 Sports, Fitness, and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report that was just released.
“It is almost a cliché at this point that the pandemic did not so much create trends as much as accelerated them. Pickleball has grown in popularity for the past five years and did not miss a beat during the pandemic. Pickleball’s growth trajectory gives every indication it will be a significant part of the American sport landscape for the foreseeable future,” said Tom Cove, President/CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
New York Times Says “Pickleball is Ready for Prime Time”
There’s a moment in the most recent season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” when the character Hal Berman (Rob Morrow), seeking support for his ill father, tells Larry David that the point of country clubs is to feel a sense of togetherness in a time of need.
“I joined for the golf,” Mr. David, who plays himself on the show, counters plainly. “And you know what? I’m enjoying pickleball, too.”
Here’s the Story of the Origins of Pickleball
If you don’t know the origin story behind pickleball, this video will introduce you to Barney McCallum on the 50th anniversary of its creation. Yeah, that’s right, pickleball has been around for half a century. Thanks to John Russell for sharing this with us.
And if you’re looking for videos on instruction, drills, court position and strategies the YouTube Pickleball Channel is a rich source of material.