Fun with Fitness

BY KRISSIE AYLWARD, PFCCA FITNESS DIRECTOR

Let’s talk Pickle ball. It seems to be all the rage and those courts were packed this summer! I even had the opportunity to team up with Maria, from Member Services, and play a game or two with some of our residents. To be honest I had no idea what Pickle ball was all about and I’m assuming many of you may not know either. So, let’s chat about it. Pickle ball is a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Pickle ball uses a paddle and a plastic ball with holes and can be played as doubles or singles. It’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. 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. 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. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped like a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball, or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts. Pocono Farms has two pickleball courts that are open from sunup to sundown (7 am – 7 pm) and we also have equipment available in the Member Services building you can borrow if needed. I encourage you to get out and play some pickle ball before the courts close for the winter season. In fact, next spring I am thinking that we should have some pickle ball tournaments/Round Robins. Interested? Stop in and see me to let me know or email me: fitness@poconofarms. Let the Pickle Ball Palooza begin! As always, I thank you for your support, Krissie

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