By Don Neuhaus, Pickleball Enthusiast

About six years ago, before I moved to Trinity Woods, I had no clue as to what pickleball was. A couple of members piqued my interest and after giving it a try, I became very interested and now I love it and I’m a regular player.

So, what is pickleball? Pickleball is a simple paddle game that is played using a perforated slow-moving plastic ball over a tennis type net on a badminton sized court. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn and can be played by the young and especially older adults. It has become extremely popular with resorts and retirement communities alike.

A great deal of information, as well as videos, is available online by simply searching the word “pickleball”. There are several major health benefits to playing pickleball including lowering your risk of heart disease and reducing the risk of blood clots along with improving the health of your feet and legs. In addition, your hand/eye coordination along with balance and reflexes may improve.

We are always looking for players. I must emphasize that experience in playing this sport is definitely NOT a requirement. Everyone who plays is at a different skill level. We pride ourselves on helping each other learn and improve. If you are unsure about playing, I invite you to come to the court to watch and talk with the players.

It is a friendly group of people both men and women. I appreciate the current pickleball players for their friendship, encouragement, and participation. I look forward to more Trinity Woods members starting to enjoy this activity and taking advantage of our state-of-the-art court as well as the exercise, social aspects, and overall enjoyment of this sport. Please check out the monthly Wellness Calendar for days and times, or feel free to reach out to me with any questions.