From Roosevelt Park to the Bubble, the sound of paddles and laughter signals an ongoing trend: pickleball. A unique combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by all fitness and skill levels. According to USA Pickleball, it is one of the fastest growing sports in America.

            Some may recognize pickleball from Dan Buettner’s 2008 book The Blue Zones or the corresponding 2023 Netflix documentary, which highlighted communities around the world with longer than average lifespans.  According to one study, racquet sports like pickleball are associated with an up to 10-year increase in lifespan relative to a sedentary lifestyle, more than other sports in the study. Benefits included improved heart health, agility, and brain function as well as lower stress and an increase in overall life satisfaction. Most importantly, it’s fun, social and not too rough on the joints. No wonder it has found a community of fans right here on Minot AFB and across the world.

            Major Kelsie Bechen, 5th Healthcare Operations Squadron, shared how she first got into the sport: “I had been hearing about pickleball for a while but never had the opportunity to play. A coworker of mine and her husband have played a lot and got a group of us together to learn to play. I quickly became obsessed!” Many have learned pickleball from friends or family already familiar with the rules. There are also a variety of instructional videos on the internet that can help aspiring players get started.

            Those wanting to learn in a more formal setting can take classes through Minot State University’s Center for Extended Learning (CEL). Offered in the Spring and Fall, classes are taught by Kevin Yale, a former tennis player and long-time pickleball enthusiast. Word of mouth has gotten out about his classes, which have been enjoyed by several base spouses. “I had a friend who invited me to take the pickleball class at Minot State with her,” said Lauri Ruediger. “It was really fun and great exercise. I now play a few times a week either in the Bubble or downtown at the Roosevelt courts.”

            According to Kevin, chances are that people can be found playing both mornings and evenings at Minot’s many pickleball courts – and in most cases new and visiting players can just show up and join in. Outdoor locations include the popular Roosevelt and Riverside parks as well as Leach Park. Kevin noted that the City of Minot could probably use a few more outdoor locations based on steady and increasing interest in the sport. For those wanting an indoor space to play, Cameron Indoor Tennis Center, the YMCA, and Minot Air Force Base’s Bubble all have marked courts.

            Those wishing to play on the Bubble’s marked courts will need to bring a net. There is one available to be checked out from the McAdoo Fitness Center desk during manned hours only. One member of the community noted that the net had to be assembled prior to use and that this was time consuming. Another expressed that they preferred the convenience of not having to take out and return nets every time they wanted to play – and that often they were only available to play during unmanned hours.

            Aside from a marked court (and, in the Bubble’s case, a net,) all you need to get started are tennis shoes, a paddle, and a ball. And once you start looking, you will notice pickleball sets for sale everywhere you go in Minot from Scheels to Target to Hobby Lobby. So, grab a paddle, find a court, join the fun – and then pass that love of the game on to someone else!

            “Learning and playing Pickleball over the last year has been such a fun experience.  I love that’s it’s a fast paced, yet easy to follow game that everyone no matter their age can adapt to,” shared mil spouse and athletic enthusiast Jill Cangealose. She added, “I’ve recently started teaching my 12 and 10 year old sons how to play. It’s just fun to get together with a group of people, have some laughs, and some like minded game play!”

            Information about Fall classes at MSU will be posted later in the summer at https://www.minotstateu.edu/cel/MSU-Lifelong-Learning-Institute.shtml

            For the latest on upcoming tournaments, follow the Minot Area Pickleball Association at https://www.minotareapickleball.org/