Playing Pickleball in Vermont

What’s the fastest growing sport in America? It isn’t golf or soccer. From 2022 to 2023, participation in pickleball grew by more than 50 percent, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. In just the last three years, the number of pickleball players in this country has surged by more than 223 percent. On average, one in five U.S. adults plays pickleball — more than 48 million people.

In this article, we’ll take a look at pickleball and why it’s growing so quickly in popularity. We’ll also give you some suggestions for how to get started in the sport and where to play in Vermont.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddleball sport that blends aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s played on a court 44 feet long by 20 feet wide — about the size of a badminton court. Players use solid paddles to hit a plastic ball that has holes in it, similar to a wiffleball, over a net to score points. Like tennis, the objective is to hit the ball so that your opponents are unable to return it.

The sport’s sudden popularity is due to several factors:

• The simple rules can be learned quickly 
• It’s easy for people of any age to play and less stressful on the body than tennis
• The gear is inexpensive
• Courts are only one-quarter the size of a tennis court, so there is less ground for players to cover
• Games are usually relaxed and friendly, with players sharing a sense of camaraderie 

The game’s social nature has probably sparked its growth the most. Teams consist of two or four players, who often spend time together before and after games discussing their passion for the sport and other common interests. People embraced pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of getting outdoors and socializing with others, and it has continued to gain popularity in the post-pandemic era.

Getting started with pickleball is fairly easy, says Nicole Williams, a Blue Cross Vermont health and wellness program consultant who recently started playing. “I found pickleball to be a very welcoming sport for someone who has never played,” she says. “It was great to find something that was outdoors and accessible. The game was easy to pick up and I look forward to continuing to practice my skills and make it more a part of my exercise routine.”

Nicole adds that she is still learning some of the game’s rules, “which I think will come more naturally the more I play.” 

Health Benefits of Pickleball

The social element of pickleball is one of its major health benefits. Playing pickleball can decrease levels of depression, lower anxiety and stress, and reduce feelings of loneliness. Other health benefits include:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Decreased blood pressure
• Better eye-hand coordination
• Supports cognitive function
• Enhanced balance and reflexes
• Greater joint flexibility
• Prevents osteoporosis

Where to Play in Vermont

With all those health benefits, many Vermonters have been quick to pick up a pickleball paddle. There are now pickleball courts available in communities across the state, including some indoor locations where play can continue during the winter months. Vermont pickleball clubs offer instruction for beginners and court reservations for members, while pickleball leagues let teams find matches with different opponents of the same skill level.

Here's a sampling of pickleball opportunities available in Vermont:

• Southern Vermont Pickleball Club (West Dover)
• Stowe Pickleball Club
• Spear Street Pickleball Club (Shelburne)
• Catamount Pickleball (South Burlington)
• The EDGE pickleball (South Burlington)
• Islands Pickleball Association (North Hero)
• Green Mountain Community Fitness (Berlin)
• Woodstock Recreation Center
• Essex Junction pickleball programs
• Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center (Burlington)
• Montpelier Recreation Center
• List of Vermont pickleball courts
• Vermont pickleball Facebook group
• Pickleball leagues in Vermont
• Places to play in Vermont

Please note this is not a comprehensive list. If you don’t see a location near you, we suggest contacting your community’s recreation department and inquiring about where you can play pickleball locally. 

How to Learn Pickleball

If you are curious about the sport and want to learn more about it, read an overview primer to get started. There are also tutorial videos on YouTube. In-person lessons are available at many Vermont recreation departments and fitness clubs (enter “pickleball lessons Vermont” into your web browser to find locations to learn the game).

If you have a family member or friend who plays pickleball, ask them to teach you how to play. Pickleball players, also known as picklers, are known for their enthusiasm for the sport and chances are they’ll be glad to give you lessons.

You can also seek out “pickleball ambassadors” in your area. These are players who are so passionate that they volunteer to take a leadership position, organizing pickleball events and introducing the sport to new players. Stop by a pickleball court and ask players for the names of pickleball ambassadors in the community who can help you get started. 

Game Changer

We hope this article has piqued your interest in pickleball and that you’ll give a try. Not only does playing pickleball have many health benefits, it can also help you make new friends. Pickleball could be a game changer for your life!