Dink. Dink, dink.

Dink.

The characteristic crack of plastic striking hollow plastic has become a tell-tale sign that pickleballers have arrived in a neighborhood – occasionally to the chagrin of local residents harried by the noise. The wildly popular “racket” sport has been bringing nothing but smiles at the Pastore Youth Center, however, where the walls have been echoing with pickleball pops since the introduction of an indoor intensive clinic on Jan. 10.

“This is an opportunity both for people who have never played pickleball before and players who want to hone their skills, even while it’s cold and gray outside,” explained instructor Peter Kaczmarzyk.  “Regardless of skill level, the goal is to have you playing your best by the time summer comes and the real pickleball season begins.” 

According to Scott Sevegny, the Recreation Program Coordinator at Pastore, the clinic is being offered in response to rapidly increasing demand. 

“We’ve been getting a lot of requests from players who want more structure than just meeting up for free-play,” he said. The center introduced indoor pickleball in 2019, and it has since become one of their most popular offerings. 

“We’ve been getting a much wider range of skill levels lately, ranging from former tennis players to total beginners.”

Kaczmarzyk fits into the first of those categories: a U.S. Tennis Association-ranked pro, his interest in pickleball developed after a knee injury made it difficult for him to navigate a full-size tennis court.

“The clinic also focuses on ways that players can minimize their risk of injury, even if they have no previous athletic skills,” he explained. “Pickleball is a perfect way to remain active without having to put too much strain on your body.”

Carl Landau, co-author of the recent Pickleball for Dummies (available through Wiley and on Amazon), says that this has been one of the keys to the sport’s success.

“Pickleball is a game that isn’t super strenuous, but that makes it easier to stay on the court for five, maybe even six games at a stretch,” he explains. “It’s a good cardio workout, and it has the playful sense of competition you get from a sport like bowling - just enough to make you want to keep going, but not enough to intimidate anyone.”

Fast growing sport

Formerly an obscure pastime of the Pacific Northwest, pickleball’s popularity has bounded over the past year, becoming the fastest growing sport in the country and earning a devoted following here in Rhode Island.  Communities ranging from North Kingstown to East Providence have introduced municipal pickleball courts, while the state’s first dedicated pickleball facility is scheduled to open in Wakefield this week.

“The expansion will just keep going,” says Landau.  “It’s more than just a trend at this point - people are investing serious money in the sport.  Television networks and private companies are putting money into promoting pickleball, while cities and towns are investing in creating facilities and introducing it in physical education programs.  That part’s important because it’s also setting up the next generation of players.”

Kaczmarzyk says that the Pastore Center also hopes to expand its focus to include youth training.  “For the first month, we’re keeping it open to all ages and skill levels,” he said.  “If this is successful, we may offer additional, age and skill specific classes starting in February.”

For many pickleballers, the clinic represents a chance to be ready for competition on the courts to heat back up in the summer.

“A lot of our friends spend their summers in Florida, so they get to practice year-round,” explained Cranston native Maureen Palumbo.  She and friend Anne Carlson have been playing pickleball at the Pastore Center for two years.

 “This was a great place to learn: the people are friendly and welcoming, and they make it easy to pick new things up as you go along,” added Carlson.  “You get the full range of skill levels, from players on leagues to people who are totally new.”

Anyone looking to pick up a new skill in the New Year – or perhaps who still needs to get started on a resolution to be more active - can learn more by visiting cranstonpickleball.playerlineup.com