Paso Robles Pickleball Club hosted tournament Apr. 28-29
—On Apr. 28-29, the Paso Robles Pickleball Club hosted the “2nd annual Wine Country classic”, a USAPA Sanctioned pickleball tournament at the beautiful Centennial Park pickleball facility. 260 plus players, vendors and spectators enjoyed the two-day event, with participants coming from locations throughout California, as well as Colorado, Arizona, Michigan and Alaska with players ranging from nine to 80 plus years of age. This was the largest pickleball tournament conducted to date on the Central Coast. This drone video provides an “up close and personal” view of the event: 2018 Paso Robles Wine Country Classic pickleball tournament.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and is enjoyed by players of all ages. It is addictive once you get past the funny name. The game was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, WA. Rumor has it the inventors of the game had a dog named Pickles who would fetch the errant balls. It can be played at all levels of intensity, from a social game with conversation, to one with the intensity of the U.S. Open of Tennis. It can be played at all fitness levels, and fitness tends to improve with regular play. It can be played both indoors and out, singles or (mostly) doubles. All you need are good court shoes and a paddle. Our club supplies the courts and the balls, so it is relatively inexpensive to start.
Presently, there are well over 100 members in the PRPC, and drop ins are welcome. Free new player training is conducted every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and loaner paddles are provided. Call Steve Sidwell, USAPA West Region Director at (805) 452-5455 for more information about this exciting sport.
