Pickleball: A fun and easy sport that you must try

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Pickleball is a racquet sport that’s rapidly gaining popularity in Canada. It’s suitable for all ages and skill levels because it’s easy to learn and fun to play. The sport plays similarly to tennis but without the high physical stress. Pickleball uses a smaller court so there’s less running and twisting involved. The lighter ball and paddle will let you enjoy the sport for more straight games in a row.

Pickleball has trended for older people in the past, but recently, more younger players are joining the scene. Yes, the game may be on the easier side of racquet sports, but it’s still a moderate-intensity exercise that will make you break out in a sweat. A peer-reviewed study conducted by ScienceDirect shows that playing pickleball elicits greater physical activity demand with more enjoyment when compared to self-paced walking.

Getting Started: The Equipment You’ll Need

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1. Paddle (CA$15+)

Starter paddles are cheap and can be found online or at sports stores like Decathlon. While there are paddles that could easily be above $200, their difference mostly lies in weight, size, shape, and paddlehead texture. If you’re a beginner, I recommend getting a starter paddle rather than a specialized one.

2. Ball (CA$2+, optional)

Most courts have free balls that players can use but it’s better if you bring your own in case the free balls are in bad condition. There’s a different ball for indoor and outdoor court so make sure you choose the right type.

3. Court shoes (CA$40+)

Most places allow gym and running shoes to be used in their courts, but some places are adamant about requiring players to wear non-marking shoes. There are not a lot of pickleball-specific shoes yet, but all tennis and badminton shoes are pickleball court-approved.

Finding a Court

Image Credit: City of Toronto

Parks and community centres are good places to look for free drop-in pickleball programs. The City of Toronto has a database that contains a list of all public parks and courts that offer pickleball programs. The days and specific time slots are included in the list. Additionally, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre has regular pickleball schedules.

Tips for Beginners

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Learn the rules
Before heading out to the court for your first pickleball game, get a rundown of the basic rules. There are only a few of them and they’re easy to memorize. Here’s a 2-minute video by playpickleball.com explaining all the rules there are.

Don’t dodge the pros
Sure, earning a sweet victory gives you a nice rush, but there’s little learning value when winning against less-skilled players. The better players can offer you good advice on how to hone your game.

Bring a friend.
Pickleball has a lot of hilarious and exciting moments that are better shared with your friends. Also, pickleball is a highly social game and can be a way for you to make new friendships.

Pickleball is a fun and simple game that’s widely accessible in Toronto, you should seriously give it a try. Good luck and have fun!