PickleballCANADA
PICKLEBALL FOR LIFE
By Ryan Hanes
Maybe you happened to witness it live — this
quirky sport taking over the local tennis courts . I can say , with confidence , that pickleball is greater than the sum of its parts .
What ’ s driving its popularity ? I believe there are many factors . It ’ s very accessible . It ’ s easier to get the buzz of immediate success in pickleball than in most other paddle / racquet sports . There is less wear and tear on the joints and athletes often find themselves enjoying threeplus hours of play . The non-volley zone in pickleball is a great equalizer . You must be behind this line ( seven feet from the net ) in order to play a ball out of the air before it bounces . Practically , this means that a wellplaced , controlled shot in the non-volley zone limits your opponent ’ s ability to attack , which rewards shot quality over sheer athleticism . Pickleball also enjoys a vibrant tournament scene — players drive several hours to compete over a weekend .
Above all , though , it ’ s the social side of the game that explains its growth . The most common form of pickleball play is within a system of mix and match , where 20 to 40 players will continuously rotate partners for a playing session . You play with as many as 10 partners in a typical day . The hours spent laughing , making new friends and renewing old friendships are like nothing I ’ ve experienced in a life spent in sports .
I was introduced to the sport at my local YMCA more than four years ago . My curiosity was piqued each time I walked by the poster for this crazy-sounding sport that
Canadian Nationals gold medalists Ryan Hanes ( center right ) and his partner Cameron Taylor ( center left ).