Pickleball sport grows in popularity

By John Arendt - Summerland Review - May 08, 2008

Racquet players are enjoying a dilly of a game as Pickleball has bounced onto the scene.

This sport, which combines elements of tennis, squash and ping pong, is gaining a following in Summerland and the rest of the South Okanagan.

Linda Elia, one of the organizers of pickleball, says the game was developed near Seattle, Washington and has been growing.

The name was coined by the game’s creator, whose dog, Pickle, would often chase the ball.

The court is the same size as a badminton court, but the net is at the level of a tennis net.

The racquets resemble ping pong racquets and the light plastic ball is like a larger version of a ping pong ball.

The score goes up to 11 points and games tend to be short.

Elia, who is also a tennis player, says the game is easier to learn than tennis or squash.

She adds that the game is good as a recreational activity.

“It’s competitive, but not serious,” she says.

Jen Peters, another pickleball player, says the sport provides good cardio exercise.

“It’s a great workout,” she says. “It’s so much good fun.”

Pickleball in Summerland is held on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the gym at Summerland Baptist Church.

Between four and 10 people meet each week for drop-in matches.

The game is also gaining popularity in other B.C. communities including Penticton, Peachland and Kelowna in the Okanagan.