It’s Like Tennis, but It’s Not Like Tennis

NFL Carolina Panthers www.panthers.com

NBA Charlotte Hornets www.nba.com/hornets

Pickleball is a game for all ages and abilities

HOCKEY

Charlotte Checkers www.gocheckers.com

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Charlotte Knights www.charlotteknights.com

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers www.milb.com/kannapolis

SOCCER

Charlotte Independence www.charlotteindependence.com

COMPILED BY TONY RICCIARDELLI

Pickleball resembles tennis in that it is played across a net, with racquet-like equipment and a ball. But that’s about where the similarities end. The “racquet” is more like an oversized ping-pong paddle (no strings attached), the large plastic ball will take you back to your days of playing wiffle ball with friends in the backyard and the scoring is more like a volleyball game than the numerical gymnastics required to score a tennis match.

A tennis match must be arranged in advance, can take a couple of hours (especially in a particularly heated contest) and can be far more physically grueling. But a Pickleball game is played only to 11 points and is usually finished in about 20 minutes.

In open play, there will likely be music playing while folks socialize off-court as they wait their turn to rotate on to any court, regardless of individual abilities or level of play. The game is more than just a sport — it’s a total social experience that’s well suited for a variety of ability levels and age ranges, and that’s really the broad attraction of Pickleball — anyone can play it, regardless of fitness level, age or skill. There are several ongoing pickleball venues in the Lake Norman region. For more information visit www. lknpickleballassociation.com.

Mooresville Skatepark

The new Mooresville Skatepark opened late in 2022 with much anticipation. The $2.8 million project, which holds the outright distinction of being the largest skatepark in the Southeast, includes two pool-style bowls, a quarter pipe, street plaza with handrails and a snake run suitable for beginners just learning to master banked surfaces. There are restrooms and a viewing area as well.

The skatepark meets all the requirements for world-class competition, where Skateboarders, BMX bikers, scooter enthusiasts and inline skaters can come to learn, improve skills, compete and have fun.

Lake Norman skatepark enthusiasts don’t have to travel far to experience a first-rate skatepark. On the flip side, the largest skateboard park in the Southeast will draw skateboarders from communities far and wide. The skatepark is open from sunrise to 10 p.m.

For more information, call the Mooresville Parks & Recreation Department at 704.663.3800, or visit www.mooresvillenc.gov/government/ departments/parks/

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