Looking to get out and be social? Want a fun activity to try? We’ve got you covered with our monthly activity article.

Each month we will highlight a different activity or event for grown-ups to get out and try. The idea is to get a group of people together to socialize, have fun, and try something new.

A new(ish) sport is sweeping across North America with 60,000 players and counting in Canada and over 150,000 in the United States. Popular amongst the 50 plus crowd, it is fast-paced, low-impact, and easy to get the hang of, especially if you have played any type of racquet sport before.

If you haven’t yet heard of it, pickleball is a hybrid between tennis, ping pong and badminton. Invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, there are a few versions of how the game was created. One such story is that he and a friend were looking to play badminton but couldn’t find a full set of equipment. Not to be put off, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball, and pickleball was the result.

Soon after they began teaching friends and family their new game, but it wasn’t until recently that the sport really started taking off.

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles on a court similar to a tennis court but with smaller boundaries. Paddles are used to volley the ball back and forth over the net, and the game is typically played to a score of 11.

Not only will pickleball get you out and keep you active, it’s also touted for the social aspect. Whether you are encouraging your partner, engaging in some friendly banter with the competition, or chatting on the sidelines, this is very much an engaging sport, both physically and socially.

Looking to play? You can learn more about the game and find places to join by clicking one of these links:

Canada: https://www.pickleballcanada.org/

United States: https://www.usapa.org/

For more Pastime Pursuits follow Amintro. We are the social app for those 50 plus looking to make new friends and expand their social circles. Find like-minded people in your community and then meet with confidence in person.

Join for free here or learn more about us, our community and how to become an Amintronian by following us on Twitter: @AmintroFriends, or liking us on Facebook: AmintroFriends.

By Christine Tompa