Pick Up a Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a community-building activity that promotes health and wellness. Which is why we are thrilled that there are not one but two pickleball courts at our newly opened Waterhole amenity complex. Don’t know much about the fastest-growing sports in the nation? Here’s a quick overview.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three fathers—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum—who were looking for a way to entertain their bored children. They combined elements from various racquet sports to create a game that was easy to learn and fun to play. Since its inception, pickleball has evolved into a popular sport across North America.

The game is played on a badminton-sized court with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net. The game can be played as singles or doubles, making it versatile for different group sizes. Players use paddles to hit a lightweight plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball, back and forth over the net. One fun thing about the court layout is that the non-volley zone is often referred to as "the kitchen."

A game begins with an underhand serve from behind the baseline, aimed diagonally into the opponent's service court. The serve must clear the non-volley zone and land in the designated area.  The ball must bounce once on each side before the players can start volleying it. This rule encourages longer rallies and makes the game more accessible for beginners.

Points can only be scored by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.

That’s it. Easy-peasy! Why should you consider playing pickleball? Well, it’s easy to learn for one thing. It’s also great for people who enjoy socializing as it is most often played in doubles. It also provides a great cardiovascular workout and improves hand-eye coordination.  

Pickleball courts aren’t the only way to have fun at The Waterhole. The facility offers a resort-style pool, lap pool, tanning ledges, kids' water play park and slide, a playground, fitness center and more. Visit us at Cross Creek West today to learn all about it.