Pickleball Rocks!
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing exercise social outlets for the active 50+ generation! If you are an active man or woman, age 50 plus, who would like to play a sport that provides a great workout –but doesn’t require athletic skill or the fitness of a 20 year old, you should join the Pickleball Revolution!
Pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports activities in the U.S., as well as the Peoria area, is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It is played on an indoor or outdoor court that is approximately half the size of a tennis court. Equipment consists of a wooden paddle (like a ping pong paddle but with a larger head), a polymer wiffle ball (moves at one-third the speed of a tennis ball), and a net that sits four inches lower than a tennis net. The smaller area combined with the slower moving ball makes pickleball much easier to play (and is supposedly much easier on the knees) than tennis.
Pickleball is good exercise, easy to learn, and the Peoria Park District’s 50 Rock program provides a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities for 50+ adults to learn and play the game. And pickleball has the added benefit of being a great social outlet! Fred Fry, one of the Park District’s most ardent players, says, “The great thing about pickleball players is they are so enthusiastic about the sport and are always happy to teach new players. Watching a group play generates excitement and makes you want to jump in and play too. The camaraderie and friendly competition is just plain fun.”
Pickleball is currently available at the following Peoria Park District locations, with more to be added in the near future:
For more information on how to get started, contact Gloria Phelps, Mature Adults 50+ coordinator at the Peoria Park District, (309) 681-2859 or gphelps@peoriaparks.org or see below.
For more information on the sport of pickleball, visit www.USAPA.org
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