Pickleball! Have you heard of it? This game has taken the country by storm. Since its inception in 1965 by three dads vacationing on Bainbridge Island in Washington and simply trying to entertain their children, it has become the fastest growing sport in America. Currently over 5 million people play.
For many years the game was a kept in obscurity. It was mostly played in PE classes where they used clunky wooden paddles and badminton nets lowered to the proper height. Since the court dimensions for pickleball are the same as badminton, most schools already had court configuration in place. It was generally popular in those classes but it was rarely played outside of the school gym.
To the surprise of many the real birth of pickleball came in retirement communities. The seniors in places like St. George, Utah as well as communities in Arizona and Florida provided the climate and facilities for their citizens to play this new game with the strange name.
As more communities built dedicated pickleball courts and the number of players increased it was only natural that younger people would get involved as well. Soon there were leagues, clubs, TV deals, and ultimately the professional involvement. Recently stars like Tom Brady and Drew Brees became owners of professional teams. Pickleball courts are common at professional sports training facilities. The game has recently been featured on major news programs. Celebrity challenges to benefit charity are now common. Side note: Most of our local players are better than the celebrities that appear on TV.
Why play pickleball you might ask. Well, here are a few of the many reasons to take up this popular sport.
- It is fun. Actually, it is really fun. You will rarely find a pickleball player that isn’t smiling and laughing. Part of the fun comes with trash talking and razzing each other.
- It is great exercise. The beauty is you can play hard for two hours and not even realize you have been exercising. Pickleball works all of the large muscle groups not to mention the heart and lungs.
- The rules and skills are easy to learn. You might feel a little self-conscience at first but after a few days on the court you will gain confidence, love the game, and love to play. I will warn you, though, it is addicting.
- There are plenty of ways to improve your game. The internet is full of tips, clinics, instruction, and strategy ideas that will help your game. Let YouTube be your friend.
- Socialization is a huge draw. You play with everyone. Changing partners not only aids in making friends but you also see different styles of play. Stronger players help weaker players. If you want to go to the next level, you can always find a tournament that provides more competition. USAPB has a directory of all tournaments available.
- Pickleball might save the world. A recent article by Sarah Larson in the New Yorker alluded to the fact that if more people in the world played pickleball with its democratic principles and sportsmanship we would all be kinder and more fair-minded. We practice the pickleball philosophy “keep it fun.”
- You will learn a whole new vocabulary. Words like dink, Erne, poach, third shot drop, and our local favorite the “Millie” will become a part of your life. You will be able to communicate with all picklers.
- It is cheap. Yes, you can pay a pretty penny for paddles these days but you don’t have to. Wait until you adjust to the game before you buy the latest Ben Johns paddle.
For Elko and surrounding areas, pickleball is played in local PE classes but the phenomenon really began with the Elko Senior Olympics. In 2016 Pickleball was added to the games. While there were only eight entries that year and half of them came from out of town, it was obvious that Elko had embraced pickleball. Soon more and more people came to learn the game and they usually brought friends and family. Seniors paved the way because they had time to play and they got the ball rolling for others to play as well.
Ruby Mountain Pickleball Club was formed in 2020 and now boasts of almost ninety members. The purpose of the club is to promote recreational play for our area. We also sponsor tournaments and clinics. Members come from all ages and all skill levels. While you don’t have to be a club member to play pickleball in Elko, membership does have advantages. The club uses dues to purchase nets and balls and they designate specific times for play. Money from dues has been used for court improvements as well. Along with the city courts at Southside Park we have been fortunate to play during the winter months at Elko High School old gym and the LDS church. Our club members have generously donated to those two partners to show appreciation.
Pickleball in its purest form is played right here in Elko. While most players definitely have a competitive side to them, they play for the love of the game, exercise, and socialization. The improvement in the skill level of local players is remarkable as several players now travel regularly to tournaments in Utah, Idaho, and other areas.
Elko pickleball is unique compared to other communities where the game is popular. We never have to fight for a place to play or a group to play with. On any given day a group of twenty or more will assemble at Southside Park or an indoor facility and play continuously for a couple of hours. Additionally, individuals may organize groups to play in the evening or on weekends. In short, there is pickleball every day in Elko.
While there is always a game to be played, we are challenged with the same problem other areas have. The number of players far outnumber the dedicated courts available. Where we play serves a purpose and we are appreciative but it is a multi-purpose facility requiring daily maintenance that often includes cleaning glass and food off the courts in order to play.
Naturally we don’t mind being good citizens and doing our part, however the community is in need of dedicated pickleball courts. RMPC would love to host tournaments and become a destination for pickleball enthusiasts. A dream, maybe, but it could happen with dedicated, regulation courts and proper lighting.
Ruby Mountain Pickleball Club not only welcomes but encourages all to join with us in the great game of pickleball. If you have even the slightest interest don’t hesitate to try it out. It won’t be long before you, like those before you, will join us in the pickleball mantra, “ONE MORE GAME.”
Lynette Davis, President
Ruby Mountain Pickleball Club