Never a ‘dill’ moment for pickleball players
By Jay Nachman
Joan Colti, 87, does not consider herself athletic, yet the Olney native has become a regular pickleball player. Three mornings a week, and sometimes on Thursday nights, she plays at the Roxborough YMCA.
Simply put, pickleball is a lighter version of tennis. Pickleball uses a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball. The courts are significantly smaller than tennis courts with shorter nets. These changes make pickleball an ideal sport for older players and anyone looking for a less strenuous sport.
“It’s a very social thing for me, and it keeps me active,” said the retired nurse and grandmother of four. “I think I lose more than I win, but I have a good time.”
Despite some injuries along the way, Colti said, “I was determined that I was going to keep on doing it. And I’m glad I did. I’m moving around a lot better, and my doctor fully approves. He thinks it’s been very good for me. It’s good for your mind, and it’s good for your body.”
According to the Pickleheads website, players aged 65 and older make up the second largest age bracket playing the sport, making up 15.4% percent of total participants.
“Pickleball is a great sport at any age, and it’s no surprise to us that it’s a such a hit with active older adults,” said Bryan Ford, association sports director of the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. “Pickleball has so much going for it. It’s low impact. It’s as competitive as you choose to be. And, best of all, it’s very social. Every day, across our branches, we see how pickleball keeps people active, healthy and connected. So, we’re big fans of the sport and happy to make space for it whenever we can.”
Len Wilson, 84, is a regular at the Christian Street YMCA, where he plays pickleball three days a week for two hours each.
Coincidentally, Wilson had a career with the YMCA that landed him in many places, including Norfolk, Va.; Louisville, Ken.; and even Jerusalem, his last stop before retiring.
The South Philadelphia resident and grandfather of two was an accomplished tennis and racquetball player until about 10 years ago. Upon discovering pickleball, “I liked it so much (that) I never played racquetball or tennis again,” said Wilson said. “I just play pickleball everywhere I go.”
Wilson is now an advocate for the sport. “In pickleball, if you’re sitting on the bench and there’s a whole lot of people playing, they’ll usually say ‘do you want a game?’ Then, you get in and you play, and you get to know people,” said Wilson, who like Colti, appreciates the social aspect and competition of the game.
“I like meeting younger people and learning about what they’re doing,” said Wilson, who sometimes competes with players who are 30 years younger. “I play competitively and can hold my own. I enjoy the workout and the social interaction between people who just sit and wait for the next game.”
Pickleball is not as physically demanding as other racquet sports, but it’s still aerobic and helps keep Wilson in shape. “If you play it long enough, you learn better strategies. You learn how to move better,” he said. “You have to move quickly to (the ball), but you can’t run like you can when you’re 25 to 35. And that’s where some of these young people have a big advantage.”
Like any sport, players learn strategies and how to work with partners. “It’s competitive but it’s not necessarily a win-lose type of atmosphere,” Wilson said. “If you lose, you go shake hands, touch paddles and say, ‘hey, great game.’ Then, you sit down and wait for your next turn.”
Pickleball is a great sport because people at any level can play and more experienced competitors are usually willing to help guide newcomers, Wilson said.
“I would encourage people not to think they are too old,” he said. “There are levels of pickleball that are not that competitive, where it’s just hitting and having fun. It doesn’t matter whether you can’t run that fast or feel like you’re uncoordinated. Anybody can play it, and you can have fun playing it. You just know you’re not going to be as competitive. But give yourself some time, and you’ll learn the skills or the strategy that can make you play with better than average opponents or partners. I really believe that. Don’t walk away if you’re in your 70s.”
Pickleball in Philly
There are many places that offer pickleball in Philadelphia, including the following locations:
- Baldi Middle School – 8801 Verree Rd.
- Christian Street YMCA – 1724 Christian St. | 215-735-5800 | philaymca.org
- East Poplar Playground – 820 N. 8th St. | 215-686-1786
- FDR Park – 1500 Pattison Ave. | 215-683-3600 | fdrparkphilly.org
- Fishtown Recreation Center – 1235 E. Palmer St. | 215-685-9885
- Markward Playground – 400 S. Taney St. | 215-685-6649 | markwardplayground.com
- Northeast Family YMCA – 11088 Knights Rd. | 215-632-0100 | philaymca.org
- Roxborough YMCA – 7201 Ridge Ave. | 215-482-3900 | philaymca.org
- Schuylkill River Park – 2550 Pine St. | 215-683-3600 | fsrp.org
- Seger Park – 1020 Lombard St. | 215-686-1780 | segerpark.org/facilities
- Water Tower Recreation Center – 209 E. Hartwell Lane | 215-685-9296 | wtrec.org
- Pickleheads.com – Type “Philadelphia” in the search to find additional locations and to learn more about pickleball.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
