Pickleball Brings People Together

By Ed Lynt

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and Canada. In Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio plays pickleball everyday according to the “How Pickleball Won Over Everyone” article in the 10/21/2021 issue of Vanity Fair. George Clooney’s wife Amal beats him regularly. Pro golfers Annika Sorenstam and Phil Mickelson play pickleball as do the Kardashians, Owen Wilson, Larry David, Jamie Foxx, Melinda Gates, and the Chicago Cubs the article said.

Pickleball started on Bainbridge Island, WA. in 1965. It is easy to learn and inexpensive. Florida has thousands of players, especially in The Villages and in Naples where the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships will be held April 23-30, 2022.

Orlando will get to see pickleball pros and amateurs compete January 13 -16, 2022 at the U.S. Tennis Association National Campus in Lake Nona. Avalon Park South Village resident Matt Salamon is playing in the Men’s Singles amateur competition on Thursday January 13th. Come out and cheer him on!

Kids love the game too - Matt’s 8 year old son Zev Salamon and partners Matt and Lori Kaminsky won our October pickleball tournament.

Avalon Park has about 50 pickleball players, ages 8 to 80, and the number of players is growing. In South Village, there are 4 tennis courts, 2 of which have been painted for pickleball too. At least 5 different groups of players play all week and weekend. We’ve had pickleball players from Hawaii, Canada, California, Michigan and Georgia visit Avalon Park and play with us. Pickleball is a very social game. Pickleball brings people together from all walks of life like no other sport. Top ranked women’s player and Florida resident Simone Jardim said “on the same court you can have a millionaire and someone living paycheck to paycheck. No one is interested in what you do for a living, only how long you have been playing!” she told Vanity Fair. Orange County has recognized the huge growth of pickleball and is building courts at Downey Park on Dean Road and adding more courts to Veterans Memorial Park in Winter Garden. You can also find pickleball courts in Eastwood, Ventura, Fairways, Cady Way Park, Mount Dora, Clear One Sports Centre and the South Econ Rec Center.

As 3 time Avalon Park Pickleball tournament winner and South Village resident Linda Kroog remarked, “we not only play pickleball together throughout the week, but we also have built a bond that supports each other through trying times in such a positive way that makes us feel proud and blessed to live in this beautiful community!” The Flats resident Sheila Harvey calls us a “pickleball family”.

Give pickleball a try. You’ll be glad you did - and maybe you’ll be a little healthier mentally and physically too.