Pickleball devotees like to point out it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the country, something you could believe this weekend when some 70 players from the region descended on Durango to compete in the 2019 Durango Pickleball Open.
The tournament, held at Durango High School, divided players by skill groups, with Saturday largely devoted to men and women’s doubles and Sunday play largely comprised of mixed doubles.
Max Paustian of the Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association said the sport is an amalgam of tennis, badminton and pingpong. “It appeals to all skill levels. It’s easy to learn and fun to play,” he said.
The sport features a lot of volleying, similar to tennis, with a lot of fast-paced, back-and-forth ball movement.
Courts are the same size as a badminton court and the rackets more resemble pingpong paddles.
Linda Arnold played tennis for 40 years and converted to pickleball four years ago. “Pickleball is easier on your body, and it’s addictive, like tennis,” she said.
The Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association has been working to get permanent pickleball courts built in the city. Currently, the association has painted lines on tennis courts at Needham Elementary – two pickleball courts can be accommodated on one tennis court.
“It’s a great sport, there’s a lot touring, and it’s popular with baby boomers. It will fill up the restaurants. It’s good for the city,” Arnold said.
“It promotes great mental and physical health for seniors,” she added. “If we can help accomplish a higher quality of life for seniors, that’s a great accomplishment,” she said.
Alice Sowards never played ball sports when she was younger, but she ran, hiked and cycled, and she said pickleball is now the perfect complement for her. “A friend got me into it. I love the competitive and social nature of it,” she said.
Paustian said anyone interested in joining the Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association should call (505) 360-3110.
Membership dues are $20 for a single member and $30 for a family.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
