Pickleball Is Uniting Moscow: In Moscow, Idaho, people of all ages are finding fun, friendship, and fitness through pickleball. Many locals gather at the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center several times a week to play. The sport is easy to learn, good exercise, and offers a chance to be social and stay healthy.
Jim Craig, a local pickleball player, says the sport’s welcoming nature keeps people coming back.
“We’re a bunch of old people, we all get together, we play, we get tired, we go sit in the stands and we rest, and we tell each other all our medical problems.” – (Jim Craig)
A Sport Growing Fast Across the U.S.
Pickleball has become very popular across the country. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association reported that the sport grew by 51.8% from 2022 to 2023. In just three years, it has grown by 223.5%. All age groups are now playing.
In the Northwest, court numbers are rising fast. According to Pickleheads, a court-finding website, Idaho has more than 700 courts. Washington has over 1,900, and Oregon has around 1,250. Heather Nelson started playing after trying the sport at a birthday party. Now, she plays three times a week for a few hours each time.
“It’s fun, it’s social, you know? And there’s something about the ‘pock pock’ that’s kind of like, I don’t know, pop rocks or something like that.” – (Heather Nelson)
Easy to Learn and Play
New players are always welcome at the recreation center. Heather Nelson says the game isn’t hard to learn if someone teaches you the rules. The center usually sets up a court just for beginners. Sherri LaFave also plays in Moscow. She came to pickleball from tennis and found it much easier.
“It’s just less running, and the racquet’s not as heavy, the ball’s easier to hit … it’s nice and light.” – (Sherri LaFave)
She explained the scoring differences too. In tennis, you score four points to win a game. In pickleball, players need 11 points, but only the team serving can score. The server changes only when there is a fault. Sherri LaFave also said that playing for a couple of hours helps her get in about 5,000 steps.
Mental and Physical Benefits
Pickleball is not just good for the body. It also helps with mental health. A study from the University of Almería in Spain reviewed 13 research papers in 2023. The review found that older adults who play pickleball often feel less stress and more satisfied with life.
The study noted that pickleball “shows potential as a new tool to work and improve people’s mental health.” For those who are unsure about joining in, Sherri LaFave offers simple advice.
“Everyone’s a beginner at one point in their lives, so, you just got to go for it.” – (Sherri LaFave)
News in Brief: Pickleball Is Uniting Moscow
In Moscow, Idaho, pickleball is helping locals stay active and build friendships. Players like Jim Craig, Heather Nelson, and Sherri LaFave enjoy the sport’s simplicity and social vibe. With growing popularity and health benefits, more people are trying the game at the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center.
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