Many of us know someone who has found pickleball. It started as a form of exercise and soon they have the latest paddle, keychain, and sneakers. Their schedule revolves around their games. They look fitter and have new friends.

           "It's a great way to meet people,", says Katie Keating, who moved to Orcutt one year ago and now has a full social life thanks to her pickleball play. Her group, many from Orcutt, has 12 members. They meet at the YMCA and members rotate in and out of play so they can all participate at the same time. "We all like constructive criticism," says Louise Shipman, who loves to win but “even more I like to have fun.” Members not only extol the joy of the game and the exercise, but after pickleball they enjoy sharing meals, celebrating with Christmas parties and being a solid support system for each other. They even have “Bad Pickleball Movie Night” saying their worst movie so far has been Pickleball Murders, the cause of much laughter.

          Orcutt resident Paige McLeod likes the camaraderie and community of pickleball, saying it’s her primary form of exercise now. "Cognitively you're working your brain with hand to eye coordination and strategy. It's friendly competition and adrenaline.”

            Jenipher Lagana, says someone from the Orcutt Dog Park invited her to play after she lost 80 pounds. “I immediately got hooked. It’s fun. It’s inclusive. We laugh a lot and there’s a strong sense of community.”

Many pickleballers have learned from Orcutt resident Al Simmons who teaches free classes at the YMCA (membership required) and the Hagerman Center, where there is a $100 annual fee or a small monthly or daily rate. Simmons says the Santa Maria Pickleball Club began in 2014 with 30 members. Now, there are over 350 regulars meeting at Hagerman. A retired military and rescue helicopter pilot, Simmons loves teaching pickleball. He and the players agree there needs to be more courts including a serious indoor court. "It's addictive and we need a place to go when it rains." 

           Simmons says that funds are being raised to build three extra courts at Hagerman and there is a wish from players for more courts at the YMCA, which is always booked full. "I've seen a lot of people join the Y because of pickleball,” says Simmons. "I love seeing people who have never thrown a ball, that know zero about any sport having fun and making friends. It's an easy game to learn.”

           In Orcutt, main pickleball play happens on six courts at the Hagerman Sport Center at 3300 Skyway Drive that the Santa Maria Pickleball Club call home. 

           The YMCA, at 3400 Skyway Drive, also have courts and there are private courts at the Santa Maria Country Club, Foxenwood Country Club and Rice Ranch’s Summit Club. 

          Public courts in Santa Maria are at the Minami Community Center, Atkinson Park and Edwards Community Center where they have two indoor “taped” courts, which means the game can be mobile.

           Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States according to wiki.com, growing 223% in the last three years. It uses a court smaller than tennis, a lower net, and a light perforated plastic ball. It can be played indoors and out. As of this year, an estimated 25 million people are playing pickleball in the United States. 

For more information or to schedule play, visit Facebook Santa Maria Pickleball, contact the City of Santa Maria Parks & Rec Department at 805-925-0951 or join the YMCA.

 

Katy Jacobson reporting