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Pickleball: A game you have to try

Don’t let the name fool you. Combining the action of tennis, ping pong and badminton, this game is fast paced and unique. Chances are, you can probably play it.

Don’t let the name fool you. Combining the action of tennis, ping pong and badminton, this game is fast paced and unique. Chances are, you can probably play it.

“What’s interesting about pickleball is you can get into the action a lot more quickly than you can learning, say, tennis,” said David Weiman, instructor at the Yorkton Community Centre.

“It’s fast paced enough to be exciting, but easy enough to hit the ground running. We set it up as doubles, so people can really bite into it as early as their first class. By the second class, often they’re already holding their own on the court in a major way.”

That certainly appeared to be the case here -- gameplay seemed remarkably fluid, with great energy. Motioning to his students, Weiman is visibly proud. “If you can believe it, this group is only in their second class.”

Taylor Morrison, Recreation Services Manager at the community centre, agrees.

“Instead of a tennis racquet, you have an oversize tennis paddle. It’s a slower version of tennis, so it’s popular with the ‘snowbirds.’ It’s still fast paced though, so it is great for everybody, including kids.”

The Yorkton Community Centre holds sessions twice a week -- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am-12 pm.

“Pickleball is a great addition to the programs we have here,” said Morrison. “It’s a great program especially given January is Active Living month.”

Want to play? Registration is only $25 per person. To register, contact Taylor Morrison at (306) 786-1776 or email ghcc@yorkton.ca.