Edwina Tries… Pickleball

Contributed

This month, Edwina tries out the rapidly growing sport and fitness craze of pickleball, joining a group led by family-friend and seasoned pickler Dan Austin, learning the ropes at the local YMCA.

I used to play soccer. I was never great, but I loved it and only stopped playing after a badly broken leg left me a little fearful. Mind you, I broke my leg falling down basement stairs, not scoring some legendary goal. I'm also kind of a klutz who probably tries too hard at everything. So, the thought of trying a new (sometimes) team sport is daunting to me, at best. I want to get some exercise, I want to have fun, and I don't want to get hurt. Enter pickleball.

Some quick research shows that pickleball was invented in 1965 (usapickleball.org if you really want to nerd out), meaning that it's not exactly a new game but certainly has gained epic popularity in recent years. You know something has reached pinnacle status when there are themed items in TJ Maxx and Aldi. In my personal circle of family and friends, we have a certified pickleball aficionado in Dan Austin who recently rounded up his posse and treated me to a private lesson.

I read up on the rules so I'd know my "dinks" from my "volleys," donned a cute black skort, and jumped in with both flat-shoed feet. The cheap backyard toy paddles I'd brought along were immediately dismissed and Dan loaned me a much lighter and clearly better version. The energy among my hosts was palpable as we set up to play. I watched a few matches of 2-on-2 and then rotated in. Everyone helped me remember the basics: call out the score before serving, serve diagonally, serve and stay, move up to the kitchen line (defining the 7-foot non-volley zone on either side of the net), etc. And they cheered me on when I made contact (and when I didn't), especially when a decent surprise backhand made an appearance.

This particular group of pickleball players met at the Glenwood YMCA and includes multiple tournament winners and finalists who meet regularly to work on their game strategy. They're having serious fun. I worked up a sweat while not feeling like I might drop dead and I look forward to playing again soon. But, not before I invest in more cute clothes and a much better paddle.

Edwina is Erie's (self-proclaimed) biggest fan who loves being a tourist in our own town. If you have an idea of something new she should try you can email her at edwina.capozziello@gmail.com