By SALINA POST
Each year on Aug. 8 pickle ballers all across the country celebrate National Pickleball Day.
The Salina YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive, took part in the national celebration and hosted a pickleball scramble complete with a "pickle buffet."
Salina YMCA Membership Coordinator, Patsy Stockham said planning for this year's event began in Spring.
"In the spring, our marketing coordinator, member engagement coordinator and I were brainstorming new events to engage our membership," Stockham said. "We learned that there is a National Pickleball Day each year on the birthday of the founder, Joel Pritchard."
The Salina YMCA has an active group pickleball players that play at the YMCA every weekday morning and on Sunday afternoons.
"As the fastest growing sport in America, we decided to partner with our regular players to host an event to celebrate the game and open it up to members and the community alike to play and learn more about the game." Stockham said. "We strategically set up the scramble to ensure experienced players and new players played together so the experienced players could mentor the new players."
Stockham said, event attendees snacked on a "pickle buffet" complete with dill, sweet, and even some gourmet green olives stuffed with blue cheese. Attendees also could snack on a meat and cheese tray and veggie tray.
"We provided snacks along with iced water the iced tea for the social aspect that participants enjoyed during their play breaks. We also had event t-shirts made that were given out to players," Stockham said.
In total, 36 pickle ballers participated in this year's event. YMCA staff said this inaugural event was very well received.
Stockham said the Salina YMCA is discussing with Kansas Wesleyan about the potential to host some students to teach them how to play pickleball.
"We may have some other themed events and we will definitely celebrate National Pickle Ball Day every August 8 with and event," Stockham said. "We are also hoping to partner with KWU to host some of their students to come over and learn about pickleball as they recently installed an outdoor court on their campus. We are in the discussion phase of this opportunity."
Why Pickleball?
The popularity of Pickleball has exploded in the last few years. While it is most popular with adults 40 and up, it is a great sport for all ages to play. It is relatively easy to learn the rules and given it is played on a court half the size of a tennis court, individuals of most abilities can usually play.
It is not unusual to see grandparents playing alongside their young grandchildren. It can be played in singles or double format. Folks tend to enjoy some of the quirky terminology like Bert, Ernie, and Dink shots.
Pickleballers also enjoy the social aspect of the game and have nurtured friendships among other players. The equipment is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain and maintain.