Local pickleball enthusiasts Dennis Wilhoit and Kristine Coblentz spoke about the sport and its popularity in Los Alamos during a recent Rotary Club meeting in Graves Hall at the United Church. Photo by Linda Hull
By LINDA HULL
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
“Come play with us!” encouraged Dennis Wilhoit and Kristine Coblenz, local pickleball players, when they spoke recently to members of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos.
We will soon enter the New Year with aspirations to curb temptations and resolutions to lead healthier lives. To help reach those 2024 goals, Wilhoit and Coblentz advocate pickleball, a sport that accommodates all ages and skill levels. Certainly this is what Wilhoit and Coblentz have discovered themselves in taking up this popular sport, which has grown by almost 159% nationwide in the last five years.
Although it is new to many of us, pickleball was developed in 1965. It was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum of Bainbridge Island, Wash. The name “pickleball” is derived from “pickle boat” – the term from crew racing that refers to those “leftover non-starters” who are teamed together.
The game is played with a perforated, hollow, high-impact plastic ball. It is not a wiffle ball. Pickleball paddles are made of solid material attached to a handle. In size, they are bigger than table tennis paddles, but smaller than tennis rackets.
Based on information Wilhoit and Coblentz provided, there are almost 37 million pickleball players in the U.S. alone with the largest age bracket falling among players ages 18-34 or roughly 29% of all players in the country. In 2021, the market for pickleball paddles was almost $153,000,000.
The Pajarito Pickleball Club, an incorporated 501(c)(3), was established in 2023 by seven founding members following guidance given by the Santa Fe Pickleball Club. The club hosts open play sessions and skill building clinics and plans to organize more events including tournaments in the future.
“Pickleball is easy to learn,” Coblentz remarked, “and its benefits are many. Not only does it offer the healthy basics of physical activity, but it also sharpens cognition and memory, and provides a friendly, welcoming opportunity for social interaction.” She and Wilhoit both added, “And it’s fun!” They also stressed “it is accessible to all ages and abilities,” making it a very family-friendly, intergenerational sport.
Pickleball will also widen your vocabulary as you learn unexpected definitions for ace, dillball, falafel, flapjack, kitchen, opa, poach and volley llama!
In Los Alamos, there are pickleball courts on Barranca Mesa (lined for pickleball and tennis – players need to bring their own nets) and Myrtle Street. Myrtle Courts are dedicated to pickleball, include permanent nets and lined courts, and are by far the most popular spot in town to play. Indoor play times are available at the First Baptist Church – donations appreciated. The Family YMCA hosts indoor play on Sundays – free to members, guests may purchase a day pass. Piñon Park in White Rock has resurfaced courts that are lined for pickleball and tennis – portable nets are available for use.
To receive the most up to date information on group play times and locations, follow the Pajarito Pickleball Club on Facebook (Los Alamos County Pickleball) or download the Team Reach app, using codes 87544 or WhiteRock to join.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos, through its 1312 Club Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and one of over 34,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary, which now has 1.5 million members, was founded in 1905; the local Club was chartered in 1966. Rotary areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease, particularly polio; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting education; saving and enhancing the lives of mothers and children; growing economies; and protecting the environment.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos meets in person 12-1 p.m., Tuesdays, in the Community Room, Cottonwood on the Greens, at the golf course. A Zoom option is available by contacting Linda Hull, 505.662.7950. Hull is also happy to provide information about the Club and its humanitarian service. The community is cordially invited to attend meetings and consider joining us in our projects, service, and friendship activities.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos thanks the United Church for use of Graves Hall when the community room at Cottonwood on the Greens is unavailable.
