~ Submitted by Brandon Mackie, co-founder of Pickleheads
SHENANDOAH — The “Daughter of the Stars” is quietly becoming a thriving hub for pickleball players, with more people trying their hand at the highly social, easy-to-learn game than ever before.
A unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years after becoming millions of people’s go-to sport during the pandemic. It’s welcoming, inclusive, and compared to rival racket sports, very accessible.
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court, upon which players hit a perforated plastic ball over a low net with paddle-shaped rackets. The sport is suitable for people of all ages and abilities, with the capacity to be enjoyed at either a competitive or leisurely pace. The rules aren’t complicated, so learning how to play pickleball doesn’t take very long at all.
It’s still remarkable, however, that as many as 36.5 million pickleball players participated in games across the U.S. during 2022. In fact, pickleball is now considered the fastest-growing sport in the country, and thousands of courts have now been set up nationwide to accommodate the rapidly-expanding player base.
The Shenandoah pickleball community actively organizes tournaments, leagues, and social events. Most recently, it held its first Annual Pickleball Tournament at the 96th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.
If you’re looking for pickleball courts near you, you’re in luck — there are some great playing locations in Shenandoah. Head on down to the Town of Shenandoah tennis courts. There are three outside courts to choose from, but you’ll have to bring your own nets. The courts are completely free to use, however, and restrooms are located nearby.
As the pickleball community grows in Shenandoah, you’ll end up seeing more and more people giving the sport a go for themselves. If you want to get involved, simply grab a paddle, and get on down to your nearest court — new players are always welcome.
Learn more about how to get involved in the fastest growing sport in the country at https://www.pickleheads.com/
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Pickleball is also often played on the tennis courts adjacent to the American Legion in Luray. Just last week, the Luray Council discussed reviving plans to leverage donated funds to build pickleball courts at Ralph H. Dean Memorial Park.
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