In recent years, pickleball has exploded in popularity.
Pickleball is a low-impact sport, making it easy on the joints and it’s easy to learn. The game is very social and inviting at any skill level and first-timers make quick progress. Anyone with prior tennis, racquetball, or badminton experience develops especially quickly… It’s been widely adopted by seniors but all age groups are involved. The only equipment you need is a paddle and balls and a place to play. It’s easy for players who travel; just pack your paddle and a few balls.
There are now pickleball players of all ages and skill levels all over the world. USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) has over 200,000 members, and there are pickleball tournaments held all over the country.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The three men were looking for a game that their families could play together, and they came up with a hybrid of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. The first pickleball court was a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches and players used table tennis paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it.
In 1972, the first pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington. The tournament was a success, and it helped to spread the popularity of the game to other parts of the country. Pickleball continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1984, the USPA was founded and it helped to standardize the rules of the game and to promote pickleball to a wider audience.
Here are some cities in Orange County, CA that are building more pickleball courts:
Irvine: The city of Irvine is planning to build 12 new pickleball courts at Portola Springs Community Park. The new courts are expected to be completed in early 2023.
San Clemente: The city of San Clemente is planning to build 8 new pickleball courts at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park. The new courts are expected to be completed in late 2023.
Newport Beach: The city of Newport Beach is considering building a new pickleball complex at the Newport Village Transit Center. The complex would include up to 12 pickleball courts, as well as other amenities such as a playground and a splash pad.
Orange: The city of Orange is planning to build 4 new pickleball courts at Orange City Park. The new courts are expected to be completed in early 2024.
Laguna Niguel: The city of Laguna Niguel is planning to convert 3 underutilized tennis courts at Laguna Niguel Regional Park into dual-use pickleball and tennis courts. The conversion is expected to be completed in early 2023.
These are just a few of the many cities in Orange County that are building more pickleball courts. As the sport of pickleball continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see even more cities adding pickleball courts in the years to come.
If you are interested in trying pickleball, there are many resources available to help you get started. The USPA website has a wealth of information about the game, including rules, tips, and tournament schedules. There are also many pickleball clubs and associations around the country that can help you find a place to play.
So what are you waiting for? Give pickleball a try!
You might just find your new favorite sport.