Pickleball is a sport that combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong all in one, and it’s growing in popularity in the US Virgin Islands!
The St. Croix Pickleball Committee thinks the sport gained traction in the territory about 2 years ago and has been organizing tournaments at different times in a year. The recent tournament on August 21st had 12 teams competing head-to-head for prizes and medals. The event was great outdoor fun for the participants and for the spectators who came out to support the event. Anyone interested in learning how to play pickleball or in donating towards improving the pickleball courts can contact Linda Midlikowski at 340-473-0215 (read the full article on St. Croix Source).
Congratulations to the winners of the tournament!
– First place: Jayson Williams and Elle Abraham
– Second place: Mayya Kawar and Brandon Rausch
– Third place: Judy Leonardis and Alice Kuo
According to the USA Pickleball Association, pickleball has had a 650 percent increase in numbers over the last six years with the largest growth not necessarily in the over 60 age range. Created in 1965 near Seattle, pickleball was named after pickle boats, the thrown-together crew that sometimes competes in rowing. The sport has been popular for about 20 years in Florida and other places with large numbers of retirees. Currently, there are many municipalities and parks and recreation departments that are setting up courts, making it accessible to a younger crowd according to NBC News.
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