Pickleball mania has been sweeping the nation these past few years and the islands east of the Cooper are caught up in the craze. One of the fastest growing sports in the country, this hybrid paddle game combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong into a fun, addicting competition.
While pickleball has a professional player circuit with national tournaments and prize money, most people enjoy it as a recreational and social activity. It’s easy to learn the rules and fun to play and it’s less physically demanding than tennis, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. All you need is a paddle, a plastic ball and a badminton-size court to start a match. Like tennis, it can be played in a singles or doubles format. Games are played to 11 points and you must win by two.
Sullivan’s Island resident Dr. Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann, an avid pickleball player and adjunct professor of journalism at the College of Charleston, has been playing pickleball since 2018. Lattimore-Volkmann plays with a group of six to 10 people, three mornings a week if time permits. They bring their own nets and use the PARD tennis courts near Fort Moultrie. The courts are lined for pickleball, with one tennis court providing enough space to set up two pickleball courts. Sullivan’s Island pickleballers can also play at one of the pickleball-lined shared-use tennis courts at Stith Park.
When Lattimore-Volkmann was first introduced to pickleball, part of the appeal stemmed from the fact that the sport was so much easier to pick up and learn compared to tennis. “You can improve at it faster than tennis,” she noted, which was important to her. Lattimore-Volkmann likes the social aspects and the intimate nature of the court. “Pickleball is a smaller court, that’s why I love it.”
It’s accessible to all ages as well. Although she plays with mostly older retirees, she is seeing more young people playing pickleball now, including entering into the local tournaments. “I’ve met so many people from playing,” said Lattimore-Volkmann. “It’s so competitive and it’s so fun.”
And it’s possible that designated pickleball courts could be in Sullivan’s Island’s future contingent on public input. According to Sullivan’s Island Town Administrator Andy Benke, the town has entered into an agreement with the engineering/architectural firm Thomas and Hutton to create a master plan for Stith Park. “Several charrettes will be held to engage the public for park design and components. I anticipate that pickleball courts will be a part of the discussion,” stated Benke via email.
As the sport continues growing on the islands, Lattimore-Volkmann expects that people will advocate for additional courts. “I think having more and more places to play is a good idea,” she said.
IOP Rec Center Adds Designated Pickleball Courts
In response to increasing demand on Isle of Palms, the IOP Recreation Center recently added two new designated outdoor pickleball courts to its recreation center offerings, which opened to the public in early April. There are also two lined multi-purpose courts shared with tennis for which pickleball nets are provided. Prior to the designated pickleball courts, the recreation center balanced programming for both tennis and pickleball daily between their various lessons and leagues, according to IOP Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell. “It just — exploded so fast,” said Ferrell of pickleball’s surging popularity. The center’s pickleball courts are all first-come, first-served and players must provide their own paddles and balls.
They also offer pickleball lessons for beginner and intermediate levels throughout the year. The lessons are typically two weeks long and meet twice a week. Additionally, just over a year ago the recreation center started a social pickleball league to give players the opportunity to register for open play. Ferrell said she appreciates the social aspect of open play, which welcomes all skill levels to come play and meet new people.
Their pickleball courts are a major draw these days, whether from residents or the steady influx of island visitors. “They’re busy,” commented Ferrell. “There’s a group out here every day.”
On Daniel Island, LTP-Daniel Island offers classes, lessons and weekly round robin play on its four designated pickleball courts. There is also open play with pre-registration and monthly social events. The Daniel Island Recreation Center offers two indoor multi-use courts that are lined for pickleball, with nets provided, that are available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
If you’re looking to try the sport and need equipment, Holy City Tennis in Mount Pleasant carries pickleball paddles, balls and shoes and you can order nets through them as well.
Crush Yard Opening Mount Pleasant Location
In another sign of pickleball’s rising appeal east of the Cooper, Crush Yard Pickleball Club & Restaurant is building a Mount Pleasant location off Morgan Point Road at National Crossing with a grand opening tentatively slated for late summer. Crush Yard CMO Andrew Ladden shared via email that it will feature eight pro tour quality indoor courts, and offer memberships and hourly court rentals, private and group lessons and leagues and tournaments. The restaurant will include a modern lounge design and an elevated mezzanine and Holy City Brewing will supply beer. For updates, visit crushyard.com or follow them on Instagram @crush.yard.
Although it’s less physically demanding than tennis, as more people play pickleball, some specific pickleball-related injuries will inevitably result. Imagine Physical Therapy owner John Mart said they see the typical aches and pains like rotator cuff tendonitis. He recommended that pickleballers do some basic stretches before and after playing to minimize injury risk. “A couple good shoulder stretches behind the back and over your head,” advised Mart. Most importantly, if you have something that hurts and the pain doesn’t subside, don’t ignore it and let it fester. Go to your physical therapist. “Address it,” he said.
By Colin McCandless
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