SPRD offers pickleball this winter

Sisters Park & Recreation District has brought pickleball back to Sisters Country for a second winter run, according to Shannon Rackowski, Adult/Senior Programs Coordinator for SPRD.

The sport is a hybrid version of badminton, ping pong, and tennis.

Pickleball started with Congressman Joel Pritchard from Washington state in 1965; he named this game after one of his pets, Pickle. In 1976 tennis magazine published an article about "America's Newest Racquet Sport." By 1990 pickleball was being played in all 50 states. Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in North America.

Allen Boyette brought pickleball to Sisters Country some years back, and it took off with much enthusiasm.

"We have players come from Bend, Sunriver, Eagle Crest, and, of course, our own local group which have ranked between 3.0 and 4.0 in tournament play," Rackowski said. "Our Sisters players like Jim and Barbara Hamilton, Doug and Peg Bermel, and Riley McHugh travel and play in different tournaments in the United States."

They also teach beginners classes for SPRD's pickleball sessions the first Sunday of every month at Sisters Elementary School Gym from 1 to 2 p.m. SPRD's regular play runs 2 to 4 p.m.

If you are interested in learning how to dink, lob, volley, make some drop shots and more, come and check it out when the pickleballers hit the courts again on January 3. Call Shannon Rackowski at SPRD, 541-549-2091, for more information.