by Chuck Schwager
Pickleball has become a very popular game for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is easier to begin playing than tennis or squash. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago, and it has become part of my exercise routine. My neurologist had advice for me at my first visit – exercise is as important as medications.
Pickleball is a particularly good exercise for Parkinson’s sufferers because it keeps us moving by instinct and while I may have trouble getting out of a chair, I can reach shots that teens might miss. Another important issue for Parkinson’s patients is socialization. Pickleball seems to attract people who enjoy the game and are not focused solely on winning. I have developed friendships with the people I play with to the extent that when I couldn’t drive for a few months, they organized a ride for me to and from the courts.
Looks are deceiving. While it is easier to play than tennis, to play well you need lessons and lots of practice. Injuries are common for older players and checking with your doctors is helpful if you are going to play seriously. Warming up is crucial because you’ll be bending your body in ways you can’t predict and probably haven’t in years. Please don’t step on the court with running shoes. The movements you make on court demand strong lateral support, which can be got from basic tennis shoes or specific paddleball shoes. The latter tend to be expensive, and a basic tennis shoe will work.
Getting into the game is not expensive. You’ll need a paddle and the costs range from $25 to $300 or more. My experience is that a $99 paddle to start off with is fine. If you become enamored with the game, you can scale up from there. One of the paddle companies, Selkirk, has teamed up with the Michael J Fox Foundation to help educate people about Parkinson’s. The paddle isn’t special or different, but rather it is a way to bring Parkinson’s awareness to the forefront.
The Longfellow Wayland Sports Club has experts who, for a fee, can give lessons and then fit you into games with others at your level. The Longfellow Natick Sports Club, on the other hand, has open play Monday and Thursday with no charge. Both are indoor courts. The Town of Wayland has indoor courts for a modest fee with open play. There are outdoor courts at 90 Oak Street, which are open play. The newly opened Bosse indoor courts at the Natick Mall are there for a fee.
This is not to scare you away from the game because it is fun and making court buddies is easy. Those of us who play in the mornings are generally retired and have the leisure to play during the day. My group has exchanged email and phone numbers to get together outside of court time.
