We are celebrating the start of pickleball at the JCA and this is a really big dill! Thanks to Florida rains and some unexpected construction conflicts, our pickleball play was delayed. That is why I am even more honored to announce that the fastest-growing sport in the United States will be available to our members starting at 8 am on Sun, Oct 6.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that shares the characteristics of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Invented in the 60s, Pickleball gained momentum during the pandemic in 2020. Unlike tennis, the same size court is used for singles and doubles play in pickleball. The court measures 20×44 feet and the pickleball ball is typically made from plastic and much lighter than a tennis ball. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle and there is a seven-foot non-volley zone in front of the net referred to as the “kitchen.” The concept of the kitchen is unique to the sport as well as the scoring.
Pickleball is for everyone. It became so popular because of the fun and social aspects of the game, and evens the playing field between athletic backgrounds and age groups to allow multiple generations to play together. Pickleball is not just about speed or power; it rewards patience and strategy and is a fun full-body social exercise. If you do not consider yourself athletic, think again! Pickleball might be the right fit for you; it does not take long for new players to have rallies and fun matches! Plus, since the weather is cooling down, now is the perfect time to grab a paddle and join the fun!
Do not wait to gather your friends and family to try this sport. We have four new pickleball courts at the JCA, available via reservation on the My J app. For more details about court reservations and scheduling pickleball lessons with a certified teaching pro, please email me, lucas.ramoscampos@jcajax.org.
