Great minds dink alike: new friends are waiting at the Pickleball courts

Great minds dink alike: new friends are waiting at the Pickleball courts

Elsie Bennett | Director of Fitness, Wellness & Aquatics

As if a reason to get out and move wasn’t enough, the simple, social freedom of Pickleball is really a worthwhile experience. Our members have developed a strong Pickleball community, the greatest health benefit being the social aspect of the game.

“There is an undeniable possibility here of making new friends and memories that will last forever,” said one member. “The social camaraderie of having outlasted a new opponent or dissecting their strategy in real time is an incredible feeling that makes for laughs when we hang out and chat after.”

Pickleball, America’s fastest growing sport (according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association in 2022), is a low-impact game that offers plenty of healthy competition and health benefits. Pickleball was started at a home in Washington State in 1965 by two families looking for a game the whole family could play together. This sport combines badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and it has risen in prominence in recent years.

Not only is playing Pickleball a great source of fun, but it is also a wonderful way to get out and exercise with friends. In a back-and-forth match within dimensions much smaller than that of a typical tennis court, Pickleball is not only easier on the joints but an excellent blend of mental and physical stimulation. The sport is a stress reliever, provides cardiovascular training, balance/stability, and range of motion training. Played over anywhere between 15 to 25 minutes in intimate quarters, it is easy for two opponents to settle into a flow of competition that emphasizes the importance of calm, calculated, and steady movement.

We have 3 full-sized recreational indoor pickleball courts in the Feldman Family Gymnasium on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus. The courts are open to members and guests of members (guest pass policy applies). Join our group on WhatsApp (AJCC Pickleball Players) to meet new people, sign up for one of our monthly pickleball clinics for beginners or intermediate/advanced players, or just stop by for a game or two!

Visit alpertjcc.org/courts to learn more, or Contact Elsie Bennett, Director of Fitness, Wellness & Aquatics at ebennett@alpertjcc.org.