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‘Pickleball is brilliant fun, a great cardio workout, and very sociable’
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As part of our exciting IMAGE Active series, we're spotlighting our most active IMAGE team members. Next up, is our talented art director and fitness aficionado Marlene Wessels, who's recently fallen in love with pickleball.
At the beginning of this year, I was unfit, overweight, exhausted, grumpy and just fed up. I used to jog pretty consistently since my early twenties, but then I just stopped a few years ago and have done very little since. No real reason, mostly getting older and waking up with aches and pains. I’ve tried several things to get active, gym classes, pilates and I tried to join a tennis club, but with no luck… that’s when I found pickleball.
How did you become involved in pickleball?
A local pickleball club offered an introductory session back in January. I knew nothing about pickleball but decided to give it a go. I loved it from day one and ended up playing with Killiney Pickleball once a week. But I was desperate to play more. I joined Sandyford Pickleball Club for a session. This was at the end of April and the start of my pickleball obsession. I now play up to four times a week and miss playing the other three days.
What do you enjoy the most about the sport?
Each session is two hours – it is brilliant fun, a great cardio workout, and it is very sociable. We play doubles and after each game, the winners split and play against the winners from another court. One can end up playing with as many as 10 (or even more) players in one session. The youngest club member is 16 and the oldest is 72, an age gap of 56 years.
Pickleball is easier to pick up than tennis (no overhead serve, the court is smaller) and it costs less. You can start to play at almost any level of fitness, and it is a hell of a lot of fun with the quick ball speed and rapid rallies which is brilliant for coordination and reaction time. The more you play, the more you learn that there is much more to pickleball than getting the little plastic ball over the net! You have to think on your feet and game strategy comes into play, so your mind stays active too – however, the scoring system on its own can be a bit mind-boggling.
Have you made friendships/grown a network?
Pickleball is brilliant for meeting new people and as the weeks go on, the familiar faces are changing into friendships. It is so lovely to share such a healthy obsession with so many people of all ages, genders and ethnicities.
Apart from fitness, I find pickleball brilliant to de-stress, because it takes such concentration and focus. On top of that is the camaraderie with like-minded people, and pickleball has a remarkable ability to boost my mood. I am on a high after each and every session.
Do you enjoy additional sports or activities?
Apart from pickleball, I swim twice a week throughout the year at the Forty Foot. We are a group of five, and we solve the world’s problems during our dips. I am back jogging/walking the odd Parkrun, and I try to meet a friend for a walk on Killiney Hill whenever I can. I know I have to get back to doing some strength exercises, but one step at a time. I am fitter and healthier than I have been in many years.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in joining a new sport/club/team/activity?
I can’t recommend pickleball highly enough for anyone who likes ball sports. Pickleball Ireland has a listing of all the clubs. The Dinkinghub offers coaching and court bookings, and they sell paddles and other gear.
I am so happy I found something that I love doing so much!
IMAGE Active is an exciting series of exercise-driven events, motivating meet-ups, and empowering content to help you achieve new levels of physical health, offering encouragement, support, and empowerment every step of the way. At its core, it is about coming together to form connections, cultivate healthy habits, and feel better than ever. So, stay tuned and check out our hub for regular updates on all upcoming events and content.
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