How Playing Pickleball is Enriching the Lives of Seniors

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports, particularly for active seniors. I spoke to a man named Peter Galbraith who is an avid player. He lives in Wake Robin, a senior life plan community in Shelburne, Vermont.

Watch our video interview

Peter believes that playing pickleball can save America and I believe him. It has so many benefits for active seniors and here is why, according to him.

Peter played tennis most of his life and has been playing pickleball for over 6 years as an early adopter.  He and many of his 400 neighbors have been playing at Wake Robin perfecting their skills and competing against each other.

Pickleball, as a sport, has been spreading across the country at a rate of 200% in the past few years.

As a person who has never played pickleball, I asked Peter to tell me how it is played and the benefits for people over 50.

During the pandemic, the parking lot of Wake Robin was empty, so residents set up a portable pickleball net. Four years later about 10% of the community is playing pickleball with only two who had played before.

Peter says the game is referred to as “dangerously easy to learn.” The reason is you become addicted to playing it.  

One of his neighbors is a 92-year-old woman who wears a knee brace, and the other residents have to be careful challenging her to a game because she usually wins.

The health benefits for seniors of this aerobic exercise include improving flexibility and balance.

As in any sport, there is always a risk of injury. Peter recommends before taking up any sport, check with your doctor first.  It helps to do other exercises and stretching before attempting to play.

Peter has seen extraordinary success with pickleball in his community and the world.

One of the biggest benefits for seniors is the social aspect of playing pickleball. Socialization is a key factor in longevity. Because the residents play with people of all ages and all points of view, it binds them together in friendship.

A headline in The New Yorker reads, “Can Pickleball Save America.” The point is that when people get out there and have fun it nurtures relationships and quells conflicts.

Pickleball is now seen on tennis channels, “much to the distress of tennis players.”

Pickleball can be played at many different levels

Peter has been a tennis player all his life. He says that if you are playing tennis with someone new to the sport, it isn’t a lot of fun. But in pickleball, players can pick it up quickly making it an interesting and competitive game.

The court is small, unlike tennis, so it doesn’t require that you run all over it. The average age of residents at Wake Robin is 83 so most players shuffle rather than run around the court.  The rules of pickleball are designed to take the power out of the game so it’s easy for anyone to play.

7 feet of space next to the net on each side is called “the kitchen.” You can’t go in the kitchen unless the ball bounces there. That means you can’t stand at the net and slam the ball. Behind that 7-foot area is a 15-foot area where most of the playing is done. 90% of pickleball is played with doubles. It can be played with singles but is more fun and less exerting with more players.

Tournaments at Wake Robin are round robin where everyone plays with and against everyone else in a series of short games. This limits the time spent on the court.

Pickleball is played with a lightweight ball with holes made of plastic. The holes slow down the ball, making it easier for seniors to play the game.

Outdoor pickleball is usually played on concrete that has been coated to make the surface softer. Peter recommends wearing classic-style tennis shoes that do not stick to the ground instead of running shoes to prevent injuries. Indoor courts generally have wood floors.

The paddle is small, about the same size as a racquetball racquet, made of wood or carbon materials.

A pickleball game usually lasts about 11 minutes.

Beginners should not back up too fast while playing to prevent falling.

Many tennis facilities put pickleball lines on tennis courts so people can play either game.

At the end of our interview, Peter quoted the poet Horace. (25 BC)

“Mix a little foolishness with your prudence. It is good to be silly at the right moment.”

Have you ever played pickleball? How did you like it? Please leave a comment below.