Highland Lakes Pickleball

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Irene is saying "Bob, the boy on the right is my grandson Dylan from NH".

Don Gullakson our Pickleball coach is teaching a beginner Dean Melvin.

Friday, February 20, 2009

H.L Pickleball 02/20/09

Our Pickleball group keeps growing and growing. We had another beginner join us this morning, his name is Rich Varga. We now have 12 new beginners who are learning to play the game. Present this morning were Kathy Garza, Karen Orman, Penni Ebersman, Rose Schloss, Dyan Zimmerman & Diane Santi. A big Thanks to Sue McGinnis who helped teach our beginners today. We have several guest who are challenging our regular players to a game of Pickleball. Our newest guest is Dylan (Cal & Irene's grandson). These young players are a pleasure to watch, they are so limber and have so much energy. We had 4 courts set up again today and many of our players sitting on the sidelines waiting to play. It was a great turnout.
C U on D courts

Thursday, February 19, 2009

H.L. Pickleball 02-19-09

Jared, bend way down to serve. Don Gullakson likes this approach.

We had a very exciting day at Pickleball today. We had 4 courts going with lots of our players coming out to have fun. We also had four guest join us today. Bob Yorgenson from CT, BJ Rhodes from Ellington CT, Jared Cardoza from Hollis NH, and John Eric from Danielson CT. All eyes were on these young players showing their athletic ability.

My name is John Eric and my grandfather taught me how to serve.

Our favorite cheerleader.

Look at that serve. Don will be very proud of you.

Everyone please take note of this serve.

How about a rematch.

I've got to beat my Grampy.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Pickleball Senior Olympics in March 2009

There is no time for relaxing the Senior Olympics will be here before you know it.

Senior Olympics 2009 Events.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - Men's Doubles at 8:30 am.
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - Ladies Doubles at 8:30 am.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - Mixed Doubles at 8:30 am
Thursday, March 26, 2009 - Beginners Doubles at 8:30 am.
Practice, Practice, Practice.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

H.L. Pickelball 02/17/09

We had a good turnout at Pickleball today and our beginners are really improving. I'm impressed!
This week happens to be school vacation for lots of kids up North. I'm sure we will be seeing them scurrying down to Pickleball. We Welcome them all. Come on down and give us older folks a challenge.
Bob Yorgensen (Harry's son) from Tolland, CT was putting on a good show against our regular players. Way to go Bob! Sandy O'Neill (Dick Mell's daughter) from Weymouth, Mass cane down to play and work up a good sweat.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Pickleball 2-12-09

The ball was on the line!

We had a group of 17 Highland Lakes Pickleball Players today and one player from Legacy. Three nets were set up. We also had 5 beginners who came out to play. Way to go!

Where's the ball?

I've got it!

Pickleball 2-13-09

Watch out for Harry

Today is Friday the 13th but this did not stop our Pickleball group from playing Pickleball. Four nets were set up with players waiting to play. We had 2 new beginners wanting to join our group this morning Penni Ebersman & Rose Schloss. They joined our regular beginners Dyan & Donzetta and had some fun.

Watch the Ball.

Good Contact.

Run Dena Run!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Pickleball Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Our Pickleball Group has had the pleasure of teaching ten new players within the last month. Kathy Garza, Donzetta Miller, Janet & Bubba Neal, Beverly & Dean Melvin, Karen Orman, Ann Parker, Diane Santi & Dyan Zimmerman.
Welcome to our Pickleball Group.
We welcome everyone who would like to try this game. If you have an interest but aren't sure if you would like it, come on down and try it for yourself. We have excellent instructions for the new people.

PICKLEBALL CODE OF ETHICS

Every person involved in pickleball as a participant, official, volunteer, representative of the USAPA or spectator pledges as follows:
I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or encourage others to do so. I will not engage in any behavior that would endanger the health, safety or well being of others. I will not engage in the use of profanity. I will treat others with respect. I will exhibit fairness and honesty in my dealings with others. I will not flaunt my position. I will not use USAPA records or materials for personal gain. I will observe the Golden Rule of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. The above Code applies in all situations that relate directly or indirectly to pickleball play.

About Pickleball

Whether you have terrible hand-eye coordination or are a racquet sport pro, you will have fun playing pickleball.If you are a novice: The net is set at 34", lower than tennis, and the paddles we play with are solid (composite, graphite, or wood). It is easier to hit the ball where you want it to go in pickleball. We play with a 3" plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball.If you play any sports: You can learn pickleball in less than 5 minutes and start having great rallies, good exercise, and a lot of fun.If you are a tennis player: Pickleball is faster and more fun than tennis. The rallies are longer than in tennis. It can even help your tennis game, especially at the net. The strokes are the same as tennis.

The History of Highland Lakes Pickleball Group

It has already been written about how Pickleball was invented by a U.S. Congressman from Oregon but nothing has been written how it started here at Highland Lakes.
It was introduced by George Hastings around 1993. He posted an ad in our small newsletter asking for people to come out and see what it was all about. As I recall myself and my wife Marie Falcon and Kathy Hart showed up. At that time we only had two courts with thin black lines that you could hardly see from the other end of the court. In time we were able to get better outline courts and were able to increase the courts to four. Through "word of mouth" and advertising we had full courts with as many as eight to ten people waiting to play. We devised a plan of "musical chairs" for people to move up in line to play. In time George Hastings moved back up north and others had to take up the banner of keeping Pickleball going. Our equipment at first was not great. Small thin poles to hold up a flimsy net. Through meetings with the Board of Directors and Reps of Tennis players (since they had an inside court) we were able to get the equipment that we have today. We can write about Pickleball but until you come out and see what it's all about and play it, you won't know just how much fun it is. Come on what are you waiting for?
Joe Falcon