Pickleball: No Pickles Used!

Pickleball, a growing sport especially among seniors, is now available at the Ashland Senior Center.
A paddle sport that combines the elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities —are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the U.S. and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries. (www.usapa.org/what-is-pickleball-brief-history)
“Pickleball was brought to my attention last fall,” Kim Kotob, senior center volunteer and activity coordinator, explained. “Someone gave me an article about its growing popularity in retired and senior communities. I thought it sounded like fun but didn’t know anything about it so I put it on the back burner to look into when I had more time. Later the subject came up in a conversation with Kelly Rund, our recreation director, and we talked about trying out an intergenerational Pickleball program. This spring, my son Jordan told me he had been playing Pickleball in gym class, and asked if we could get a Pickleball set. I took this as a sign that now was the time to learn Pickleball!”
“Within a week of posting the program at the senior center, we had a handful of seniors sign up to try it,” Kotob said. “By the next week, we were up to 20 seniors. On the day of the first program, due to the heat and humidity, I set the net up inside, in the big room at the center. Sue, our outreach coordinator, and I decided to try it out. Let’s just say we are not ready to sign up for any tournaments. There were some laughs that day that the seniors played. So, Pickleball is here to stay. Thursdays: Learn to Play, 12:30 pm; Know How to Play, 1:30 pm.”
The Ashland Senior Center recently added Mahjong, Great Decisions discussion group and Zumba. For more information or to sign up for any of the senior center programs, call the office, 508-881-0140 x1 or email kkotob@ashlandmass.com.