Art of Aging: Pickleball

In this week's art of aging, Lisa Thomas-Laury found a relatively new sport that's becoming a hit for the senior crowd.

It's called Pickleball. It's a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton.

Pickleball is played on a court using baseball sized whiffle balls and ping-pong like paddles.

Dan Wheeler, Recreation Leader at the Water Tower Recreation Center said, "it's easy to learn and there's plenty of action and that's what people like."

Pickleball was invented in Seattle, Washington, in the summer of 1965. It's named for the creator's pet dog.

Herb Powers of East Germantown said, "The first day we played, we fell in love with it."

it's a sport growing in popularity from grade school phys ed classes to college sports programs and senior citizen community centers.

Janet Lippincott from Chestnut Hill said, "The game is quick but not hard. I'm trying to figure out strategies since this is only my second time playing."

There are pickleball groups in and around Philly. This one is at the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill.

"We're just die-hard. We play four seasons of the year, indoors and outdoors, and we can't get enough," said Kim Dunne of Cherry Hill, N.J.

For more healthy ideas, go to 6abc Art of Aging.