Pickleball

Sounds dumb.

I think it's mainly old people, OP

It's completely blown up in a lot of areas in the country. I think it's because it's so social and the learning curve to get into it is pretty low since the ball travels so slowly (except at the highest levels). And if you've played racquet sports before then the learning curve is super small and it's less taxing on the body than say tennis or racquetball. It IS mainly old people - but there's a fair amount of younger people playing and it's attracting more and more young people. As a tennis player, I've noticed that the tennis leagues I play in have "lost" players to pickleball. There's a whole pickeball sponsored tournament series that gets thousands of fans (past matches are on youtube). Many developments and municipalities are converting tennis courts to pickleball courts. Ugh.

R3 that’s annoying. The trend will be over in a year

The only thing I know about pickleball is that Cynthia Watros and Laura Wright from GH play together. They recently invited their old colleague Kim Zimmer from GL to join them. Kim brought her son and husband and they all played together. That's all I got.

I don't know. The trend has been ongoing for maybe 7-8 years and doesn't seem to be slowing. People seem to really like it. I've played it a couple times and it was okay, but not great. To me it's something I'd do full time at 60 or whatever age when my mobility is such that I can't play regular tennis effectively anymore.

Yes, OP, physical excercise and being with other people is just terrible!

Curling is another STUPID 'sport'. What a waste of time!

R7 I know right?

It's a big deal at my dad's retirement community. That is the only place I have ever heard of it.

Del Boca Vista, Phase III

I think it's nice that there's an enjoyable way for older or less fit people to socialize while getting some exercise.

It’s everywhere in Palm Springs and surrounding. But it always has been.

It will be huge. It’s like you removed the more difficult parts of tennis (running across the court) and ping pong (very fast reaction time) and combined the two.

[quote]I think it's mainly old people, OP

It's not. My niece (25) said it's very popular with her friends. And it is leading many of them to get into tennis.

My sister is into it, but she is so competitive, it is no fun to play.

It's hardly exercise.

Just wish the fat assholes playing it would stay away from our tennis courts.

Luckily the large tennis complex near my home doesn't allow the fatty pickleballers onto their courts.

Here's an example of a higher level tournament. Lots of younger players.

It's for old people and it is a great way to be active with a low physical risk.

I prefer the pickle to the balls, but if they're low hangers and very full looking, they can be arousing, too.