No, it is not like the Flu but it is certainly catching on!  Local communities have caught on to  the nation's hottest sport/fitness trend, Pickleball!  The game with the funny name is the fastest growing sport in the United States.  The popularity of the sport  is due to inclusion of all ages and abilities and can easily be played by 2 to 4 players.  Pickleball was developed by a congressman with a predicament.  He had to entertain his children and their friends for the weekend, thus pickleball was invented.  Using a smaller court, similar to a badminton court, pickleball is played with a paddle and wiffle ball over a short net.  The game derived the name from the family dog, Pickle, who constantly chased the loose balls for players.

Pickleball's popularity is not only in the United States.  Many expats who have lived in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Asia have brought back tales of international pickleball play and the great people they have met through participation in the sport.  The governing body for pickleball is the USAPA, with involvement in both US play as well as international play.  Complete rules, guidelines , and venues for play can be found on www.usapa.org.

Pickleball groups and competitive play can be found around the Houston area.  The USAPA encourages those active in participation to become Pickleball Ambassadors for the sport.  This involves helping to establish educational opportunities, competitive events, and promotion of the game.  Currently, there are several ambassadors in the Lake Conroe and Woodlands areas helping to promote Pickleball.  

Individuals interested in finding out more about pickleball can visit the USAPA's website, contact Villa Sport, April Sound Tennis and Fitness, or Walden.  One of the local groups helping to promote Pickleball in the area is the Lake Conroe Pickleball Friends, which includes three USAPA Pickleball Ambassadors, Mary Simpson, Teena Sandberg, and Ernie Ortiz.  The community is invited to a free clinic at the April Sound Tennis and Fitness Center on Monday, March 27th at 6:30 to learn and experience the great game of Pickleball.  For more information about the free event, contact marilyn.koenig@clubcorp.com.  If you are an experienced player, you are invited to come and join the Lake Conroe Pickleball Friends on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 for fun play and great social activity!  For more information about Tuesday and Thursday play, contact teenasandberg@gmail.com.  Come and catch the Pickleball Fever with your Montgomery, Conroe, and Woodlands neighbors!