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Ray Collins: I Reluctantly Began Pickleball—And Am Glad I Did!

| Ray Collins |

Tennis is part of my DNA. I grew up playing tennis year-round in Buffalo. (Yes, we paid to play indoors half the year.)  Played college tennis, country club pro in the summer and have been an announcer for dozens of pro and amateur tennis events up and down the east coast.

So you’ll understand why I initially dismissed pickleball as a fad–but it clearly struck a chord during Covid when people wanted to be outside, at a safe distance. 

My better–and prettier–half, Erin, and I live near the Legacy Trail and we watched Sarasota County building 12 courts behind Robarts Arena. I thought, “Why aren’t they building tennis courts?” But once completed, each time we went by on our bikes, the courts were packed–but when we saw tennis courts, they were empty. 

Even our neighbors in our townhouse community began lowering the tennis net to play pickleball.  They play for hours, having fun and bonding.  I finally asked one of my neighbors if I could borrow a paddle and hit with him for a few minutes.  Conclusion: It was fun!

I went over to the park behind the arena (also known as the Pompano Trailhead) and quickly got in a game. Within an hour, I met a dozen new people, broke a sweat and rode back home like a little kid who had just found a new candy store. 

I got Erin a racquet–er, paddle–and we’ve been playing a couple times a week now for a year and a half.  It’s been a great addition to our lives. 

Pickleball

I knew we had gotten hooked when we were on vacation, and the resort had tennis and pickleball courts side by side:  We had our racquets and our paddles in hand.  She said, “Which do you want to do?”  I said, “You’re not going to believe this–I’d rather play pickleball!” (Picture attached.)

We were so enamored by pickleball, we set aside tennis for several months.  When we finally went back to play tennis–it was like we had never played before–and we met through tennis years ago! 

I think pickleball is a great thing for the millions of Americans who don’t get a lot of cardio and never picked up tennis. Pickleball is easier to learn, and the rules make a lot of sense.  

(We were actually on vacation in the Pacific Northwest last year and took a ferry ride from Seattle out to Bainbridge Island which–coincidentally–is the birthplace of pickleball. The story is three friends invented the game in 1965. The two theories are — it was named after one of their dogs, or when one of their wives said the game was thrown together like a pickle boat used in the sport of rowing.)

I was disappointed—but not entirely surprised—to hear the indoor club in Lakewood Ranch didn’t make it.  I was the emcee for the ribbon-cutting and the excitement was palpable–but members quickly complained about the fees and policies, employees complained of ownership—and the club shut down after a year and a half. More than one inside source said the club averaged one new general manager every three months.

As for us, we’ve finally struck a balance of pickleball and tennis…we’ve learned there is room for both in our lives..and we’re glad we don’t have to choose. 

Ray Collins Photos

Ray Collins is a former local newscaster and is now an award-winning Realtor.  He’s also a travel writer, elected official and media consultant. www.raycollinsmedia.com

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