Pickleball – What’s the big dill?

The globally loved sport of pickleball has found a new home at George Burnett Leisure Centre, transforming the much-loved community facility into a bustling hub of activity and camaraderie.

Potentially the world’s trendiest sport, pickleball has fast become a cornerstone of fitness for those seeking a healthy dose of fun and friendly competition. Taking place every Tuesday morning on the badminton courts of George Burnett Leisure Centre in Karawara, this US-export has become a firm favourite, particularly among seniors, thanks to its accessibility.

According to Jim Guilfoile, professional pickleball player and co-founder of West Coast Pickleball, the sport’s minimal physical demands and a swift learning curve make it suitable for players of all skill levels.

“It’s a great game for everyone – it’s easy to learn and, after a brief introduction, you’re ready to dive into a full match,” Jim says.

“Played on a smaller court with a slower-paced ball compared to squash, pickleball doesn’t require a lot of running.”

While mastery may take time, Jim says that part of the joy of the sport is engaging in satisfying matches from the outset. For this reason, many people who find racket sports like tennis and squash too strenuous find it easy to get stuck into the popular sport.

“It’s a really enjoyable and effortless way to stay active – it gets your heart rate up without you even noticing because it’s so much fun,” Jim says.

“I’ve witnessed players unknowingly cover significant distances during play, highlighting the sport’s ability to sneak in a workout,” he adds. “We get a lot of people who used to play tennis coming along to try pickleball – it helps satisfy that craving for friendly competition.”