b'So, You Want toPlay Pickleball? Heres how to get startedBY CINDY PERMANMembers of the N&K group gather to play pickleball at Walter Park in Maplewood wearing their MapSo pickleball shirts made by Anne Mandell. Front row (L-R): Anne Mandell, Melanie Summers, Betsy Eastwood, Luise Neilson, Helen DuBowy, Pete Mandell. Back row (L-R): Bruce Andreini, Ketan Mehta, Ross Minichiello, Danny KamenP ickleball is everywhere.Walkdidnt know the rules at first but quickly met otherour towns beginner lessons to learn the basic rules You probably have a friend playersandjoinedtheirgroup.Shetookafewor just find open play times. Start with the basics, or severalwho plays it. And itsclasses. Now she plays in leagues and tournaments.have fun and dont worry too much about being such a social sport that now theyThe cost of entry is low. All you need are pad- perfect right away. Its a game thats easy to pick up havepickleballfriends.dles and a ball. There are free public courts. Theand enjoy from day one.past any public pickleball courtlowcostandthesocialcomponentseemtobeThere are a variety of pickleball paddles that on a Saturday morning and itswhat attract people the most. range from $25 to more than $100. They are made packed, with a cacophony of pock! pock! soundsI love the social aspect of it, Gardiner says.of different materials, designed for power, control, asplayersvolleytheballbackandforth.EvenIve met people older than me, younger than mespin or sound control. (The game can get loud!) celebrities like Taylor Swift and WNBA star Cait-Ive expanded my friend group across all theYour best bet is just to get an inexpensive paddle, lin Clark are getting in on the pickleball action. towns in this area! start playing and find out how much you like it IlladmittobeingcuriousaboutwhatthisJason Morros and Pam Bachorz, who live in and what kind of player you are. One thing I pickleball craze is all about. So, my husband Vin- SouthOrange,kepthearingaboutpickleball.learned early on is that although all the balls look nie and I decided this summer was it: Were goingTheir son, who is a college student, plays. So theythe same, there is a difference between indoor and to learn to play! decided to give it a shot. They took a few classesoutdoor balls. Outdoor balls are usually larger and Its easy to learneasy to play from the veryin the spring through the Maplewood Recreationheavier to account for wind.first time you pick up the paddle, says AmandaDepartment.Some players sign up for classes through their Gardiner, a Maplewood resident who started play- Our advice for anyone wanting to get intotown or private facilities such as Pickleball Palace ing with her son in 2021 on a public court. Theypickleball is to just go for it, Morros says. Use(WestOrangeandWhippany)orCentercourt 18/ matters magazine / school 2024'