I was curious about the hot sport of pickle ball and so early on a Friday morning I went to the tennis and pickle ball courts in Kelseyville on Gard Street.
I’ve learned that pickle ball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong that can be played indoors or outdoors on smaller courts than tennis courts, using a modified tennis net (shorter). It’s played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It can be played as doubles or singles by all ages and skill levels.
When I arrived at the courts, the four pickle ball courts were packed with players going at the balls. They were mostly older players, so I fit right in, even though I just went to observe not play. Opposite the pickle ball courts were the tennis courts, also packed with players.
“The courts are Kelseyville School District property, but the Lake County Tennis Association (lctennis.org) maintains the courts,” said tennis player Jo Fay during her time to rotate out on the tennis court. “Mike Shay, our President, and a team of people actually installed the pickle ball courts and our association bought all the pickle ball equipment. We’ve also refinished the tennis courts several times in recent years. We try to work with the school district and play around their tennis team schedule, plus we have team tournaments against the high school team so they get more practice with a variety of skill levels. We also welcome those students to play with us during the summer.”
A paddle is needed to play, so even if I had wanted to play, I wouldn’t have been able to. I figured I would need to get in better shape to play. I mentioned this to several of the players and they said that when they started out playing they were constantly out of breath. It took awhile they said, to get in shape. The tennis players also said the same thing. One kept his inhaler handy and took breathing breaks. Everyone said to get into shape, a walking regime would be the best exercise. I believe them. Just walking around the courts and then back to my car left me a bit breathless.
I used to walk my Rhodesian Ridgeback Toby two miles every day. People loved visiting with him. At 107 pounds, he was big but little children weren’t a bit afraid, they just gathered around him and loved on him (he, however, did not like the cable guy!). I even walked our route after Toby went over that rainbow, and then something happened. Perhaps I got sick, or depressed, or that’s when COVID hit and the kitties were born (any excuse not to exercise, right?). I did take the littlest kitty, Claire, out for walks in the soft cat carrier, which was crazy. Not the best way to take her out. I contemplated buying one of those cat backpacks with the see-through bubble but saw reviews that it caused back problems. Like I need more back problems.
It was so good to see senior citizens out on the courts walloping the little plastic balls. I want to be like them! Paddleball (which is similar to racquet ball) was one of my favorite sports. I played every day in my early 20s, at the Michigan State University indoor courts, while a student there. I first played with my then-husband, who was so competitive, he slammed every shot that made it impossible for me to make a return shot. Not fun, so I dumped him as a paddle ball partner (it took a bit longer to dump him as a husband). My Peruvian friend, Rosa, and I began to play each day. She beat me every game, but the games were good and fun and relatively evenly matched. When I moved away from Michigan to California, I not only moved from my best friend, but my best paddleball partner. I played with some random guy at the paddleball courts in Marin County and beat him hands down. Hadn’t realized that all the games Rosa and I had played had turned me into a good player.
During the pandemic, I lost 50 pounds but for some reason I stopped (again) all exercise. I figured that magically with losing the weight I’d turn into a 20 year old. Or maybe a 40 year old. Not a chance. But I am able to move better and as I said in a previous column, my bloodwork has turned me from an old crone to a youthful senior.
So, what’s a girl to do? About pickle ball?…get back into a serious walking routine…as soon as the weather temperature goes below 100F!
Lucy Llewellyn Byard is a columnist and journalist for the Record-Bee. To contact Lucy, email lucywgtd@gmail.com
