Want to Try Pickleball But Don't Have Any Equipment?

No worries! There are very few guarantees in life, but we can guarantee that someone will either let you borrow their paddle for a game or someone will have an extra paddle or two (or three). So if you want to try out pickleball, stop by Auburn Middle School at the tennis courts. Summer play is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

This is a great way to try out pickleball and try out some paddles. This is a good thing since paddles (and their costs) vary greatly. The cheapest paddles are made of wood and may be purchased for less than 20 bucks. Players rarely use wooden paddles. Usually, players are using composite or graphite paddles (these prices vary greatly from around 35 dollars to over 100 dollars).

Plus, you can see from the photo above the varieties of colors and designs. There are also some differences in size, weight and grip, so it's best to try out the sport (and maybe some different paddles) before making any investment.

Pickleball So Important to Some That...

...people will move from one community to another. In a CBS Sunday Morning report:

So Sun City is getting a facelift, installing solar panels and updating the rec centers, including the pride of Sun City: a brand new pickleball facility.

"There are people moving here from Sun City West because of the pickleball we have here; it's incredible," said Carol Arinno.

Pickleball, a game played on a shrunken tennis court with paddles and a whiffle ball, has become the fastest-growing sport among retirees. The sun has barely come up in Sun City, and the courts are already packed with players like Larry Klein, who showed Knighton the ropes.

"I was introduced to the game about nine years ago," said Klein. "I lost my first game, just like you did."

"We don't need to say that part," Knighton said.


"It's addictive. I try to play every day. Some things interfere with my pickleball and it doesn't make me happy."

Some of the Fauquier Pickleball Regulars

From left to right: Bob, Steve, Ralph, Donna, Keith, Linda, Jim, Randy.

See Why People Like Pickleball So Much!

Another news report showing the benefits (friendships, physical activity,etc.) of the fastest growing sport in the country. In this case, it's a recreation center up in Cleveland.

Benefits of Pickleball

Good video available here showing the benefits of pickleball, including the camaraderie that it brings (just ignore the part about the family pet, the origins of the sport aren't from a dog named Pickles).

People Take Their Pickleball Seriously (But Not Too Seriously)

Websites, books, apps, a podcast, now even a music video (sort of)!

Warrenton Outdoor Pickleball Schedule

Outdoor pickleball schedule at Auburn Middle School, 7270 Riley Road, Warrenton, is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Saturdays from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm.