Pickleball traces its origins back to near Seattle, Washington in 1965 when three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — needed some way to entertain their bored kids. It was summer, and the usual summer activities had lost their luster for the little ones. And thus, so the story goes, pickleball was born.
A sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball uses a slightly modified tennis net, paddles, and a plastic ball with holes. The game is delightfully flexible — play on an indoor court or an outdoor one; go one-on-one or grab a few friends for doubles; take advantage of the simple rules for a beginner-friendly, laid-back match or let the competition develop into something fast-paced and fierce. It’s perfect for all ages and skill levels, and luckily, pickleball is fast-growing and increasingly popular.
If you’re not quite sure where to start, just grab a paddle and a ball and head to the park. Treaty Park features eight pickleball courts and Ron Parker Park recently added six lighted pickleball courts, so the parks will never leave you wanting for space. A quick trip to the park is a great way to try out the game without any pressure — but if you find yourself getting hooked, there are all sorts of local resources just waiting for you. The Global Pickleball Network offers a list of local instructors, such as Pam Hatch, who teaches everyone from beginners just learning the basics to advanced players looking to take it to the next level. And no matter what skill level you find yourself at, you can meet up with members of the St. Augustine Pickleball group (which you can join on Facebook for updates), who gather at Treaty Park to play the game on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings at 8am and on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6pm.
When you’re well and truly embedded in the world of pickleball, you might just want to return to the Global Pickleball Network to search out a league — like the Palencia Mixed Doubles League — or to find events or even a tournament. The possibilities are endless, and the court is just waiting.
