PickleballSOUTH AFRICA
FOUR-FOOTED GAME
A white-tailed mongoose tried to get through our gate last night . Long pointy nose , long bushy tail … But no worries — she eats insects and the occasional egg . Life in South Africa . A few hours of pickleball every morning . On some days , and a couple hours ’ drive away , quietly watching a small pride of lions deep in the bush .
But we don ’ t live in the bush and we are not often on safari . We live in the rural village of Memel , a mile high in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains ( in Afrikaans language , Dragon ’ s Back mountains ). It is July here now — the beginning of winter with belowfreezing nights . That does not deter the pickleballers who have shifted their timing of games from early mornings to the sunny afternoons . Where once there was a single court — the first dedicated pickleball court in Africa — there now are five , three of which have been built in the public Primary School grounds . Old unused tennis courts have been converted by local workers ( and players ) into new pickleball courts . The kids are encouraged to play , and from third grade on we have established after-school programs coached by locally trained instructors who grew up in the same community as the kids .
The teachers are also lining up . People want to play ! And when they do play , they want more . This game has a bite ! And that bite is not from a mongoose . •
By Steven Ablondi & Cindy Burns
WWW . MEMEL . GLOBAL
PICKLEBALL IN AFRICA !
PLAY ON THE FIRST PRIVATE DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURT BUILT IN AFRICA ! OR , JOIN THE LOCAL KIDS ON THE SECOND DEDICATED COURT , IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VILLAGE .
STAY IN THE LUXURY EARTH-BUILT GUEST HOUSE WARMED BY THE SOUTHERN SAHARAN SUN .
EAT HEALTHY MEALS PREPARED DAILY FROM OUR OWN ORGANIC GARDENS .
GO ON AN OVERNIGHT SAFARI , WHERE GAME IS GUARANTEED — THE FOUR-LEGGED KIND .
Pickleball Safaris in South Africa
• Guest house accommodation for 2-8 persons , full board , local transportation , safari in a private game reserve .
• Plenty of Pickleball : $ 2,800- $ 3,497 ; 8 nights all inclusive .
• For more information contact Steven at www . Memel . Global .
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