The ninth season of the Sun City Huntley Pickleball Club (SCHPC) officially kicked off with a social on May 2. Pickleball players of all ability levels will take to the 12 courts daily from now to Halloween.
Officials said the club is about 600 members strong, with a steady growth from 164 members back in 2017.
Potential members received some pointers from SCHPC members Mike Christy and Nancy Clark at two sessions before heading to the courts. The first inside session was Pickleball 100, followed by an outdoors Pickleball 101, where the basics of the sport will be shown.
“I played all the sports except tackle football, and found pickleball to be the most fun, and it’s competitive,” Christy said. “You get a chance to play with different partners each game, and that’s where the social benefits come in. It’s easy to learn, but challenging to master. When practicing, it’s always good to have a routine.”
Newcomers can always find a player of more experience to lend a hand.
“I think it’s indicative of the spirit of the club that we have a mentor program, people who volunteer to help,” Christy said.
Interested future pickleball players learned of the serving, role of the Kitchen (No Volley Zone), and expected pickleball procedures to follow and etiquette.
“You should always give your opponent the benefit of the doubt,” Christy said of close calls. “You should also shout the score nice and loud, so your opponent can hear it 44 feet away.”
Christy stressed the importance of proper gear, especially protective eyewear, while playing pickleball, which is also encouraged by the sport’s top female professional, Anna Leigh Waters. Also important is stretching and warm-ups, and there are exercises specific to pickleball match.
Proper shoe apparel should be shoes that help lateral movement, as opposed to forward motions.
There is also the matter of buying the right kind of paddle.
“Pickleball paddles vary in size and you should spend about $90 on one so you can use it a couple of years,” Christy said.
Most players at the Sun City pickleball courts are rated from 2.0 to 3.5, on the 5.0 scale.
“Players should compete against others a slot or so higher, but not too much higher,” Christy said.
Although the season is scheduled to go to November, sometimes matches are held later than that.
“We play matches in 30-degree weather, as long as there is sun and no wind,” Christy said.
Or, as a flier at the event read, “‘pick up a paddle to protect your heart, boost your mood and more.’”
