Yes, it is a goofy name, but pickleball is a going, growing concern on the Sunshine Coast! Prior to COVID, hundreds of people were playing in parks, at public indoor venues and private home courts. As restrictions have relaxed, requests for information on how and where to play come in daily to the sunshinecoastpickleball.com website. Inexpensive and easy to learn, the game of pickleball can range from a convivial, low-key way to get some exercise to an intense and challenging match demanding both fitness and a high level of skill. Pickleball devotees will tell you no matter how you play it—it’s always exhilarating and a great way to make new friends!
As the communications director for the Sunshine Coast Pickleball Association (SCPA) I am happy to report that once again our membership is burgeoning and robust numbers turned out this winter for weekly indoor play at three schools on the Coast. Some of our hardier (crazier) members continued to playing outdoors at Hackett Park in Sechelt, and at Parklands in Gibsons.
For a very nominal cost our club has organized indoor programs at Kinnikinnick, Roberts Creek and Gibsons Elementary Schools, which will resume after spring break. Monday and Wednesday 5 to 7 p.m. at Kinnikinnick; Wednesday 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at Gibsons; and Saturday 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. at Roberts Creek. All players are expected to adhere to school health protocols. In order to fulfill our insurance contract with the schools all participants must be (or become) members of SCPA. (Easily done for a small cost via our website: sunshinecoastpickleball.com.) Beginners are welcome and free instruction is available.
Since demand for places to play just grows and grows, we are excited to report that spring and summer pickleball is resuming at both Coast arenas. March 21 play began again at Gibsons Arena with several weekly time slots (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and 12:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday). The Sunshine Coast (Sechelt) Arena opens for play in the fourth week of April with times TBA. Each arena has nine courts and play will be “drop-in” and subject to SCRD health protocols. Although the program is administered by the SCRD, Sunshine Coast Pickleball Club members will be on hand to help newcomers feel welcome, find the right court, try out a paddle and join them in a game.
SCPA is actively pursuing opportunities for upgrades to existing outdoor courts such as Hackett Park in Sechelt and purpose-built courts in various locations on the Coast. Our ultimate goal is a dedicated indoor facility to serve the needs of the whole coastal community and some exciting possibilities are on the horizon.
Pickleball is a rare sport in that it can be enjoyed immediately upon learning the basics. Adults and children have fun playing together. It is inexpensive, portable and utterly addictive! There is plenty of challenge for the serious athlete, but the game can also be enjoyed as a highly social way to stay fit. Since there is increasing evidence that regular exercise is one of the most important lifestyle components for staying healthy, it is gratifying that seniors on the Coast have adopted pickleball beyond any other sport. And not just seniors… as our successful pre-COVID teaching program at Kinnikinnick Elementary school demonstrated. It was so popular that the school subsequently invested in their own nets and equipment!
