Pickleball becomes the fastest-growing sport
KAREN NICOLETTI returns an offering from her opponent Thursday afternoon at the Linderman Elementary School tennis courts. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
The sport of Pickleball continues to grow while the sport’s growth was evident at the Montana Senior Olympics Games with one-third of all Senior Olympians participating in the sport, according to Senior Olympics president Kay Newman.
Steven Michaud, Montana’s first-ever certified Pickleball instructor, was there helping cultivate the popularity of what he claims is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Michaud, who participated in several different sports throughout his athletic career including tennis and table tennis, got into Pickleball because of the fast-paced nature of the sport.
“I pretty much enjoyed (playing the sport) because they had short rallies and hitting the ball back and forth,” Michaud said. “It doesn’t hurt nearly as much as racquetball. There is a ton of strategy involved and that is a way cool thing. There are much better players and strategy can help elevate your game, which is really cool.”
Michaud said the whole sport of Pickleball is designed for anyone of any ability level to play.
“Grandparents can play ball with kids of all ages,” Michaud said. “I like how you can play it right away, and be playing and having a good time with Pickleball in about an hour. You really don’t see a lot of grumpy Pickleball players.”
Michaud, who got his Pickleball certification in Texas, was at the Senior Olympics offering lessons, selling racquets and doing demonstrations in order to spread the popularity of the sport.
“It’s kind of my motivation because there are no certified coaches in Montana,” Michaud said. “I really started focusing every day for three or fours hours and just drilled and developed a backhanded third shot.”
Michaud said he gains a lot of gratification and feels like he is on the cutting edge of this ever-growing sport.
“I taught a clinic in Bigfork and there were several players that played indoors,” Michaud said. “I was working with these players and giving them coaching and tips. The players that started out three months ago went and played elsewhere (during the winter) and got really good really fast.”