around the post
By Jennifer Lucore & Alex Hamner
Pickleball Fun in a Pandemic
During this awkward time we’re living in,
pickleball pros and other passionate players
around the world have participated in some
good “new-fashioned” fun.
Some of you created videos and tutorials on howto’s
and what-to’s and did at-home interviews. And
of course, we hope you’ve seen some of the awesome
virtual video rallies that several pros, youth, brands, and
international friends have done—so cool!
Players have creatively built courts at home, practiced
drills, stayed fit and healthy (or maybe that’s still
on your to-do list), and created at-home challenges
for themselves and others, all to connect with the
pickleball community near and far.
Some states luckily never closed their pickleball courts,
and players there continued with round robins, charity
events and even tournaments. Sadly, this has not been
our reality.
What have we been doing in California as the changing
closed/not closed/closed courts have been happening?
Together we have enjoyed a lot of skinny singles. And I
mean a lot! We meet up at a friend’s private court (thank
goodness we have some connections—and friends!) and
we battle against each other for hours. We both love this
drill (only this drill!). When we play, we often reminisce
about the many years we competed against each other
in numerous Open Singles finals at both Nationals and
Tournament of Champions.
Other pros and players whose local courts were closed
also had to get creative. Here is a small sample of how
some of our addicted pickleball player friends have
continued to get their “fix” while social distancing.
• Michael, from Ottawa, Ontario, shared with us that
his ball machine is getting him through these tough
times with drilling 1 to 2 hours a day.
• Ilana, from Kingston, Ontario, chalked and taped
out a court on her street and helped spread the love
by writing this on her homemade court: “Pickleball…
(silly name BUT… best game ever!) Google it.”
• Another Ontario friend, Vic, from St. Thomas, said
she’s happy to get invited to play on a friend’s private
court and included “Long Live Pickleball!”
• Wayne is a pickleball instructor from Sarnia,
Ontario, who created a dink station in the garage
and attempted to practice with his wife. The teacher
learned a few lessons about his lovely wife—she
Easter Bowl Challenges by the Pros. Left to right: Simone Jardim, Alex Hamner
and Dexel Bar. Alex is performing the challenge of hitting with a cooking skillet
against an ironing board, with commentators Simone and Dexel cheering
(laughing) her on.
uses every opportunity to attack, and her line calls
are terrible! He doesn’t think their dink skills have
improved, but they are having fun and many laughs.
• The pros, thanks to help from Simone Jardim and
the Eddie & Webby podcast, held virtual men’s
and women’s Easter Bowl tournaments—one-onone
competition using various pickleball “skills.”
Be sure to check them out, especially if you want
to see the silly events they competed in—like Alex
using a skillet to hit volleys against an ironing board.
Wonder who won that round? Find these funny
“Easter Bowl Challenges” on Simone’s YouTube
channel.
Even businesses have gotten involved—a recent New
York Times article asked, “Is Pickleball the Perfect
Pandemic Pastime?” Naturally, we say YES.
And Margaritaville’s chief marketing officer, Tamara
Baldanza Dekker, shared, “As we’re going through this
together and trying to find things to do as a family or
small group, it’s a perfect sport to take up.” Tamara also
noted that Margaritaville has pickleball courts in each of
its locations. Smart business decision!
We hope you are finding creative ways to continue
your pickleball and, if not, we are glad we could share
some ideas. Take care and see you on the courts …
soon! •
Jennifer Lucore and Alex Hamner started playing pickleball
in 2010, and have competed in numerous tournaments in
the U.S. Jennifer has competed internationally and is a 2019
Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee. Jennifer and Alex have
26 national titles, but are best known for winning gold in
Women’s Open Doubles at Nationals for four consecutive
years (2011-2014). They live with their respective families in
North San Diego County. For more pickleball fun, visit Jennifer’s
blog at www.allpickleball.com.
26 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE.COM