HEALTH + FITNESS
Pickleball
Is the Fastest Growing Sport in America and is Quickly Expanding on the Vineyard
By Maddy Alley
“When I’m playing pickleball, I’m in flow,” expressed Brendon Ryan, who picked up a pickleball racket four years ago and within months had quit his day job to become a certified coach. “It is easy to get better at something you love,” Brendon elaborated, explaining both his quick rise in the sport and his coaching philosophy. Brendon can now be found bouncing between drop-in sessions, clinics, and private lessons at Airport Fitness throughout the summer season and coaching in North Carolina the rest of the year.
Connie McHugh, owner of Airport Fitness, installed indoor pickleball courts eleven years ago and was well prepared for the sports recent surge in popularity. Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in America and is quickly expanding around the world. Connie attributes the initial rise in the sport to increasing numbers of retirees from the baby boomer generation looking for fun, fitness, and friends; all of which can be found on the pickleball court. The sport’s popularity is also trickling down through the generations. With some schools now hosting club teams, it may not be long until high schools and colleges have competitive pickleball teams and scholarships. Brendon says he coaches players younger than 8 and older than 80.
“The floor is really low to get in, meaning everyone can generally hit the ball over the net,” explained Brendon, suggesting that the net may be low, too. Compared to tennis, “you can hit a ball and get it back really quick, and you feel some instant success or gratification.” Connie reiterated the perks of being able to play on day one, giving beginners easy access to a new game.
Connie and Brendon have both found that pickleball has gone a huge way in facilitating friendships in their lives and their clients. Airport Fitness hosts drop-in sessions that allow people to come alone and play with strangers who can quickly turn into team mates on and off the court.
Inside the Airport Fitness tennis center, there is room for up to four pickleball courts open for year-round play. Anyone can walk in, rent equipment, and play for the day, but pickleball memberships are also available for people looking for a longer term hobby. Drop-in sessions are open to the public and scheduled based on ability, with different court times for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. The courts can also be rented out for private group sessions or lessons. Looming over the courts, and nestled between fitness center’s eight exercise rooms, is a lounge and kitchen equipped for pickleball themed parties.
The indoor facility at Airport Fitness is as busy in July as it is in January. With many Islanders busy working in the summer, the facility is perfect for visitors on rainy days. The winter sun is when the program shines though, providing Islanders with a space for sport regardless of snow. In addition to pickleball, the space is used for indoor soccer and baseball practice in the off season, both of which Connie has also seen a recent uptick. Unsure what the next sporting trend may be, Connie is excited to expand Airport Fitness, saying “we can do more than what people think.”
Connie has been preparing Airport Fitness for today’s pickleball craze for eleven years. Now she can sit back as others scramble to put up nets, fight over the nuisance of noise, and chase their balls across the one slightly slanted court found on Island. Airport Fitness is open every day of the week, every month of the year, for members and walk-ins.
For more info check out their website at: airportfitnessmv.com. They’re located at: 24 Airport Road, West Tisbury. Phone: (508) 696-8000, Email: workout568@aol.com