DESTINATIONS

Pick a Pickleball

By Rena Malai

One summer, a family in Washington State decided to go on vacation. So they packed up their kids and luggage and headed to one of the beautiful islands in the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the great outdoors.

Like any well-intentioned family vacation, it didn’t take long before the parents were going crazy trying to keep their kids entertained. So they asked them to do what parents since the beginning of time have been asking their kids to do — go out and play, and keep yourselves busy.

Armed with various racquets and paddles, balls and a net, the kids trooped outside and started to play a netball game of sorts — pickleball, named for the family’s dog, Pickles.

This is one common urban legend of pickleball’s origins.

According to Pickleball Magazine, the game was created in 1965 on Washington’s Bainbridge Island, where the Pritchard family spent their summers. But it was the adults who trooped outside and made up the game, to prove to a bored 13 year old in the group that it could be done. There was a dog — Pickles — but the Pritchards insisted he came later and was named after the game, not the other way around.

The magazine says the name “pickleball” was chosen as a reference to the pickle boat term used in crew races — the boat that carries the leftover rowers who weren’t picked by other crew teams. Hence the way pickleball was said to be slapped together, with bits of equipment from other sports thrown in here and there to create something new.

However it came to be, pickleball has been rapidly gaining popularity across the country in recent years as the latest American pastime, and Prince William is no exception to the pickleball craze.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis or ping pong, according to Jason Shriner, a Prince William-based PPR Certified Pickleball Coach.

“You use about ping pong size paddles and a hollow whiffle ball to play,” Shriner said. “It’s played on a smaller court (than a tennis court) and it’s addictive.”

A pickleball player for about five years, Shriner says the quick pace of the game keeps it engaging and exciting.

“A lot of games like football and soccer can take a lot of time to play out,” Shriner said. “You can play super quick, individual rallies in pickleball and it moves very fast. I could play for an hour, but it feels like five minutes.”

It is one of the hottest new sports, says CC Bartholomew, and a good way to spend time during the pandemic.

“It’s an easy game for all ages to learn and do, and it’s very affordable,” Bartholomew said. “I could play it all day and can’t get enough of it.”

Both Bartholomew, who is a real estate agent, and Shriner say the social aspects of pickleball make it simple for beginners to join and for seasoned players to continue.

“Pickleballers are a very warm and welcoming group of people,” Bartholomew said. “Especially now with people in their house all

Pickleball players playing at Pickleballerz

the time, it’s a great social arena to meet others.”

You don’t even need to bring your own equipment to a pickleball game if you don’t want to, says Bartholomew.

“People will share their paddles and anything else at pickleball games,” she said. “If someone wants to try it out for the first time, just say you’re new and someone will put a paddle in your hand.”

Game On

Prince William residents who are interested in pickleball have several options for play.

According to Shriner, the community center at the City of Manassas Park offers pickleball programs and beginner classes, which is how he started playing.

“I used to be a baking instructor there, and Bonnie Ballentine, the pickleball ambassador for Manassas Park, got me into it,” Shriner said. “The ambassadors are a great place to start.”

Shriner also occasionally teaches pickleball classes at Pickleballerz, Northern Virginia’s premiere pickleball facility.

Located in Chantilly, Pickleballerz is owned by husband and wife team Greg and Beverly Raelson along with Greg’s father, Jeff. With six indoor climate-controlled courts, leagues, classes and events, players from all over Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. frequent Pickleballerz for regular games and socializing.

“One of the great things about pickleball is that it’s relatively easy to pick up,” said Beverly Raelson. “It’s a good game for people of all ages. Come with friends and family, or stop by on your own.”

Pickleballerz offers beginner classes, including a free one-hour introduction to the game by one of the center’s pro pickleball instructors like Shriner. Beginning and seasoned players alike have several options to get into a pickleball game at Pickleballerz, whether it’s signing up for clinics, reserving a court with family and friends, or being matched with other players for a game.

The Raelsons say to just give Pickleballerz a call, and they’ll take it from there.

Where to Play

n The Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge offers eight outdoor pickleball courts, the first dedicated pickleball courts in Prince William. Visit pwcgov.org/parks for more information.

n Veteran’s Park in Woodbridge offers outdoor pickleball courts marked within existing tennis courts. These are free and available on a first-come/first-served basis. Visit pwcgov. org/government/dept/park/vetspark for more information.

n Prince William County has appointed pickleball ambassadors who are great resources for the game. To find an ambassador, visit pwc.org.

n Visit the site places2play.com to find neighborhood pickleball courts, games and groups.

n Pickleballerz, NOVA’s premiere pickleball facility in

Chantilly, offers everything for beginning and seasoned players alike from courts, to classes, to equipment. Visit pickleballerzusa.com or call 703-657-2100. Be sure to mention the intro coupon!

Rena Malai is a contributing writer for Prince William Living. She can be reached at rmalai@princewilliamliving.com.