Pickleball Comes to Orange
A group of locals plays pickleball at the Taylor Education Administration Complex on Tuesday, April 11. (Photo Credit: Kevin Hagood)
Looking for a fun way to get some exercise that’s not too strenuous? Feeling a bit creaky and want to capture that competitive spirit again? Then pickleball is for you!
Chances are, you already know someone who’s an avid pickleball player. It’s America’s fastest-growing sport — a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Pickleball is fun, social and friendly. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game.
Orange County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) now offers open play at the Taylor Education Administration Complex on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and at Locust Grove Middle School Mondays at 6 p.m. for a $3 fee. It is always a good time with a wide range of ages and skill levels participating. If you have never played before, that is fine. We love to teach new people the game and hope they love it and become regular players.
The author has been playing for about three years and is so grateful to OCPR for starting these sessions in the town of Orange. A good-sized group shows up for practically every session. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Yes, some of us can get competitive but it’s all in good fun! I enjoy it because at my age and level of fitness, I get to breathing hard and sweating and my heart beating fast — but not so much that I keel over!
At the April 11 session, the author spoke to a few of the regular participants. Here’s what they had to say:
Beth Yowell: “I love playing pickleball with Orange Parks and Rec because it’s a great way to get out and meet new people and get some exercise and have some fun!”
Louise Workman: “I love playing pickleball. I retired to play pickleball.”
Anne Estes: “I just love playing the game. It’s a lot of fun. I meet a lot of people and I get a whole bunch of exercise!”
And Cathy Poe gave the shortest, but possibly most enthusiastically delivered quote: “I LOVE PICKLEBALL!”
So, if you are looking for a fun reason to get out of the house a couple of nights a week, you should really join us!
For more information on Orange County Parks and Recreation, including the department’s activities catalog, visit https://orangecountyva.gov/300/Parks-Recreation.