I have been playing pickleball since the summer of 2016. (I did not play at all during the first two years of the pandemic.) My dear book club friend Judy was always talking about pickleball so one summer break I asked her to teach me.
My first experience was at Brommer Park in Santa Cruz, Ca. Pickleball club days were Monday and Fridays and beginners could play from 11 to 12. I was hooked. I would sit in the car and wait for 10:30 and then I would hope someone had to leave early and I could get in a game. During the school year I would play Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings. In Santa Cruz it was open play, four on four off and sign up on the white board by your self rated level.
When my sweet husband Bruce and I were looking for a place to retire my dear friend Judy suggested Redmond and Bend area. She said the pickleball community was grand.(I trust Judy's judgement!) We came to visit and find a home in the spring of 2022. On our first visit to Sam Johnson Park there was a sign announcing the Rock Chuck Open. We bought a home and signed up for our first pickleball tournament. Two weeks after retiring from 34 years as an elementary school teacher we moved to Redmond. We knew not one person. Our first weekend here was the Rock Chuck Open. We had a blast! (And won Gold!) Many people welcomed us with open arms. We felt like we had found our HOME. That week I played my first round robin. A dream come true.
Rating DUPR 3.35 Core 3.5 dreaming of 4.0
What's not to love about pickleball?
I still feel slightly giddy getting to play every day. It is fun, fun, fun. It is so social, a bit physical, competitive, cooperative and lots and lots of mental stimulation. I am a slow learner with my body so there is almost always a level of challenge that keeps me coming back for more. It is fun to play with all ages, levels and spend time with people that are also the kindest most fun folks on the planet.
I love the vibe at PPC. It reminds me of Cheers, where everybody knows your name. I love the courts, the coffee, the great players and coaches, sweet doggie love, and all the opportunities to learn and have fun. I am enjoying the grand games and challenging competition offered through the week. A big bonus is clean restrooms and water bottle filling station. I have loved being inside cozy and warm, playing my heart out on a cold and snowy day. No shoveling snow to play is a plus! This week it was delightful to have the roll up doors open with fresh air and sunshine in just the right amounts.
When I first met/played against David Kempster before PPC opened he asked me to write down my goals and what I thought I needed to get there. He said, "I see you, I got you." I went home and spent a week really thinking about my goals and needs. Yes, to be a real 4.0 player by the summer, but what did I need. I wrote my list and gave it to him. When taking clinics or lessons David would say to me, "This is about consistency." "This is about decision making." " This is footwork." During regular play he would watch and make positive comments about some little thing. Some how the "I got you." become YOU got this. I am a slow learner with my body and every one has been so kind and patient.
I've been lucky to have the opportunity to get great coaching from Mike, Marty, Rich, Kristina, Brooks and Aaron, playing with much better players EVERY DAY, having my gal pals that are interested in learning and drilling, having a designated place and time to come every week to drill, I feel like I am finally improving my game and my understanding of the game. And then there is my SWEET CRBN paddle...
About that goals list...
1. Decision making...shot selection, out balls, yours/mine
2. footwork and body mechanics, setting up to hit the ball, getting to the ball, paddle angle, running down lobs
3. Consistency and placement, drops, drives, dinks and volleys-push, roll and punch, TOP SPIN!
4. Playing well with my partner, being a supportive partner and having a good mental game. being able to strategize against our opponent.
A perfect pickleball day would start early with a great group of ladies for a round robin, a few hours warm up and clinic with my gal pals, a few hours of drills and then playing with my husband at challenge night. I have lots of people I love playing with and against and Bruce is my most favorite partner.
I love watermelon, I am learning to garden in Central Oregon, learning to sew and knit and some woodworking. We have one son, Rio, who lives in New York City and a very old cat, Winx. I was a distance runner in high school but my school did not have a girls cross country team so we just got to run with the boys but not compete.
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2405 SW First Street | Redmond, OR 97756
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