Some people started it while they were on vacation.

Others noticed it in their neighbourhood, or had a friend who enjoyed it, so they started, too.

Pickleball, widely touted as the nationB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址� and North AmericaB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址� fastest-growing sport, is more popular than ever, and with the weather getting warmer, players are hitting the courts in higher numbers than ever before.

Debbie Lawrance, a member of the Surrey Pickleball Club, White Rock Pickleball Association and Pickleball Canada, started playing seven years ago, after she went on a walk along North Bluff Road and noticed some people playing the game.

Having just retired, she was looking to get a little more active, and it looked like fun.

B次元官网网址淭hey said, B次元官网网址楥ome back tomorrow and bring a paddle,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Lawrance remembered.

B次元官网网址淏asically, that was it.B次元官网网址�

After learning the basics, Lawrance embraced the sport wholeheartedly, and now plays it up to six hours a day, seven days a week.

She even represented Canada at the inaugural English Open event in England in 2019.

B次元官网网址淚t is so much fun! ItB次元官网网址檚 awesome. It will change your life,B次元官网网址� she said, noting that beginners are always welcome, but for those who want some fierce competition, there are some pretty serious players as well.

B次元官网网址淚f you want really good competition, itB次元官网网址檚 there. But itB次元官网网址檚 also a very inclusive community and itB次元官网网址檚 an easy learning curve for beginnersB次元官网网址� we all start somewhere,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that she volunteers her time to teach beginnerB次元官网网址檚 lessons.

B次元官网网址淚 love it. ItB次元官网网址檚 so rewarding.B次元官网网址�

In South Surrey, there are pickleball courts located at Crescent Park and in South Surrey Athletic Park, which features 12 dedicated courts.

In total, the City of Surrey has 73 pickleball courts, with 30 dedicated solely to pickleball (the remaining 43 are shared with other racquet sports).

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Lawrance also noted the power of the connections made through playing pickleball, with many players enjoying the social aspect and even planning social events or fundraisers together.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the most surprising things was the friendships that are made, just by playing pickleball,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something for everyone.B次元官网网址�

Gayle Boutilier, a White Rock Pickleball Association member, agreed.

She picked up the sport while vacationing with friends in Palm Springs in 2019, and noted that, while in the past, the sport has been associated mainly with seniors, that is now changing.

B次元官网网址淭he dynamic has changed from seniorsB次元官网网址� now itB次元官网网址檚 in schools and YMCAs B次元官网网址� everyoneB次元官网网址檚 jumping on board and families are playing together,B次元官网网址� Boutilier said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not only a huge social aspect, it gets people active.B次元官网网址�

According to Pickleball Canada, recent survey results show that there are one million Canadians playing pickleball at least once a month, with 45 per cent playing four or more times a month.

B次元官网网址淭he sport is now also attracting younger, working adults as facilities become available during evening hours and weekends,B次元官网网址� the organizationB次元官网网址檚 website states.

B次元官网网址淭he age group showing the fastest rate of growth are players aged 18 to 34, with a 26 per cent increase over the number of players in this group (who played) at least once per month in 2020. This age group also reports a very high frequency of play, with 13 per cent playing 15 or more times/month.B次元官网网址�

Survey participants noted the sport is fun, with the second-highest response for playing being the social aspect, according to Pickleball Canada.

While many embrace the sport, there are those who disapprove B次元官网网址� usually people who live near pickleball courts, who complain about the noise the sport creates.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be people who complain, but itB次元官网网址檚 a non-issue as far as our local experiences have gone,B次元官网网址� said Lawrance.

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Players play on a badminton-sized court, most often as doubles, but singles can participate, too.

Players provide their own paddles, which can range from about $50 to more than $400, depending on the make and model.

Each side has a non-volley zone called the B次元官网网址渒itchen,B次元官网网址� from which no players can hit volleys (unless an opponent hits a short shot landing in the kitchen, called a B次元官网网址渄inkB次元官网网址�).

Each point begins with an underhand serve, and players play to a total of 11 points, with the winner having to win by two points, among other rules, but Boutilier noted itB次元官网网址檚 a quicker game than tennis.

B次元官网网址淚 had played a little tennis years ago but it didnB次元官网网址檛 resonate like pickleball did, I think because it was a smaller court B次元官网网址� you can put four pickleball courts into one tennis court,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a faster game B次元官网网址� a combination of ping pong, Badminton and tennis all rolled into one in a smaller court B次元官网网址� it just seemed a little more fun especially with doubles.B次元官网网址�

Nancy de Vink, who is also a White Rock Pickleball Association member, concurred.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like tennis or golf, which can be hard to pick up right away,B次元官网网址� de Vink said, noting there is a motto posted at the courts encouraging players to treat beginners and veterans equally, as B次元官网网址減eople are more important than the game.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a quick learn and itB次元官网网址檚 so much fun and a very welcoming sport. You get addicted.B次元官网网址�

With certain nights of the week dedicated to mixed doubles play, ladiesB次元官网网址�, menB次元官网网址檚, and even Newbie Nights, the eight dedicated pickleball courts at Centennial Park in White Rock are often busy. Players do not need to become a Surrey Pickleball Club or White Rock Pickleball Association member; that is optional.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a wonderful addition to our community B次元官网网址� the City of White Rock has been so supportive to us,B次元官网网址� Boutilier said, recalling how her family surprised her at the courts for her 70th birthday, with the picnic tables decorated with balloons and other birthday accoutrements.

The association also likes to give back to the community, she said, and mentors Star of the Sea Grade 4-7 students in pickleball. It also donated $1,000 to the Sources South Surrey/White Rock food bank, and holds a Christmas poinsettia fundraiser for residents at Evergreen Care facility.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way to keep people happy and healthy,B次元官网网址� Boutilier said.

B次元官网网址淲e go out there in winter and play with our toques on. ItB次元官网网址檚 fitness, and itB次元官网网址檚 fun.B次元官网网址�

tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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