Fun, fitness at pickleball launch in Amanzimtoti
Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis in which players hit a perforated, hollow, plastic ball with paddles over a net.
PICKLEBALL Africa held its Amanzimtoti grand opening at the Amanzimtoti Tennis Club on June 9, marking the first-ever social event in the area.
Michelle Kriese, the director of Pickleball Africa and the KZN pickleball ambassador, said the fun-filled event aimed to introduce and teach the sport to new players.
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“Amanzimtoti was chosen because the venue is central and there is already permission given to create four permanent pickleball courts, which will be available in the next few months,” she said.
Kriese said it is the fastest growing sport in the USA and is set to be an Olympic sport in 2028.
“The court is one-quarter the size of a tennis court. It is played over a net, using a paddle and a plastic perforated ball. The sport combines tennis, badminton and table tennis. The sport is popular because anybody can learn to play; you don’t need racquet or ball skills [to learn]. It’s easy, fun and gives a good workout,” she said, adding that on Sunday, there were three generations playing together, something that not many sports can offer.
Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in KZN, with tournaments and leagues already established in other areas such as Hillcrest, Kloof, Cowies Hill and Durban North.
There will be social games every Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00 at the Amanzimtoti tennis courts, Hutchison Park. For more information, contact Michelle Kriese on 083 785 6044.
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