Pickleball craze sweeps Teller County
The pickleball craze that is sweeping the nation continues to attract people of all ages into what some players believe is the ultimate sports addiction.
The Association of Pickleball Professionals reported updated pickleball participation research that shows 48.3 million adult Americans – about 19% of the total adult population – have played pickleball at least once in the past 12 months. This represents an increase of 35% since the APP’s last research was concluded in August 2022, when adult participation reached 36.5 million.
In Woodland Park and Teller County, that enthusiasm is represented by Pickleball Above the Clouds, a volunteer, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting pickleball in the area. They provided instructional and recreational opportunities at all competitive levels.
According to the APP, avid pickleball players are much younger than ever stated or assumed. The latest research reveals that the average age of avid pickleball players is 34.8. More than 70% of avid pickleball players are between 18 and 44 years-old; 40% between 25 and 34, and 18% between 18 and 24.
For many sports enthusiasts, pickleball is more fun than tennis because it is social, friendly, fast-paced and competitive. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn.
PAC advocates for pickleball resources in Woodland Park and Teller County, including helping to reduce the financial burdens of local government through funding for pickleball resources. Also, it exists to create community for pickleball enthusiasts residing in Woodland Park and Teller County.
In 2021 four Teller County women captured medals in a Colorado Springs regional pickleball tournament. PAC players Veronica Sarmiento and Barb Parnell walked away with gold at the intermediate level.
Parnell, who serves as PAC treasurer, believes pickleball is growing in popularity without any end in sight. Its popularity is expanding in Teller County because the sport is inexpensive and is a great way to exercise and meet people of all ages that play the game.
Players’ biggest complaint is not having enough courts to play on during the early morning summer hours, Parnell said.
“In the summer, a lot of Snowbirds and tourists come to Teller County for assorted reasons,” she said. “Being able to play Pickleball adds to the outdoor activities available to them.”
PAC President Jim Rumsey said the social aspect is especially important as well as exercise.
“What other activity can seniors get good exercise and social needs met with little cost?” he asked, “We have had many of our players lose significant weight.”
“New and long-lasting friendships are all part of it, especially for our members who play 2-3 times each week with each other. Most of PAC are seniors; however, the courts are used increasingly by families and the younger generation which we love to see.”
Parnell said PAC got its name from the person who brought pickleball to the area and surveyed people playing.
“This was the most popular name, since Above the Clouds was used with other organizations and entities,” Parnell said.
Currently, the City of Woodland Park has combo tennis/pickleball courts. PAC has only one facility in which to play, four outside tennis courts. Of those four courts, PAC lined one with black tape to create four pickleball 20-foot by 44-foot regulation size courts.
“Working with the City of Woodland Park, plus the Parks and Recreation Dept., PAC received approval to convert the one tennis/pickleball court to four temporary pickleball courts in 2023,” Rumsey said. “The other three tennis courts are lined for pickleball and tennis play. We have many more pickleball players than tennis players in the community.
“We are hoping for eight stand-alone courts to be installed in the summer. The City of Woodland Park and Parks and Recreation has approved this in their 2024 budget. The proposed and preferred location is the Meadow Wood Sports Complex in Woodland Park.”
Meadow Wood Sports Complex, located at 2000 Evergreen Heights Dr., Woodland Park, boasts two outdoor hard courts and the lines are permanent. However, players must bring their own net. Courts are not reserved.
Also, Woodland Park Community Center, located at 212 Parkview St., hosts free indoor pickleball from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday on a trial basis. The markings on the court aren’t perfect and is up for resurfacing.
As with many sports, pickleball also has its controversial side. The game’s rapid rise, between 2020 and 2022, saw a 113% increase in participation. According to a 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association report, ugly turf wars, furious noise complaints, violence, lawsuits and potential criminal charges have contributed to pickleball’s negative stigma.
Sadly, many cities throughout the U.S. are banning pickleball courts for various reasons, one of which is the noise it makes.
“The Denver area closed three complexes in various neighborhoods in 2023 due the noise that the ‘pickleball’ makes upon contact with the pickleball paddle,” Rumsey said. “This noise was above city approved dB levels.
“Also, parking becomes a problem in neighborhoods, HOA (Homeowners Association) areas especially around large pickleball complexes. Keeping this in mind USA Pickleball which governs this sport has just approved a ‘Quiet’ pickleball paddle manufactured by OWL Sport Paddle which reduces the sound the pickleball makes when contacting a pickleball paddle.”
Despite controversy, many believe pickleball will continue to grow exponentially because of the recreation and social aspects. To learn more, visit wpcopac.com or email pickleballabovetheclouds@gmail.com.
Pickleball Above the Clouds players, from left, in back court, Barb Parnell, Mary Jewell, front, Bob Newman and Barbara Blake play in this photo from 2021.
Photo Credit: Andrea Kessler. File photo. (iStock)
