Pickleball popularity rising in Norfolk County

John Ball and Maureen Chunick await the ball in pickleball play at the Simcoe Recreation Centre. Separate sessions are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced-level players during the Simcoe Seniors Centre’s pickleball times.

Lisa Timpf

Advocate Contributor

Pickleball may have gotten an unusual start, but that hasn’t stopped it from gaining adherents worldwide. And if the activity level on the pickleball courts during the Simcoe Seniors Centre’s assigned times are any indication, Norfolk County has its share of pickleball fans.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by a businessman named Joel Pritchard at the family cottage. Seeking an activity to keep everyone occupied, but unable to find a complete set of badminton equipment, Pritchard and his family used table tennis paddles to hit a whiffleball back and forth. They developed rules and the game evolved from there.

Given its history, it’s only appropriate that pickleball is described on the Particiption.com site as “a mix of badminton, tennis and table tennis.” Played on a court, with paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it, the sport appeals to people at all stages of life, and all levels of ability.

The Participaction.com site notes that pickleball has a number of health benefits. Since it’s played on a smaller court than tennis, and uses underhand serves, pickleball is less physically demanding than some other sports. At the same time, playing pickleball is beneficial for coordination and balance, and can help to improve bone and muscle strength. 

A survey by Pickleball Canada determined that just over 1.5 million people in this country play the sport.

The Simcoe Seniors Centre, which is open to individuals aged 50 and over, offers pickleball sessions at three ability levels: beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

Ed Cosman, head convenor for the Seniors Centre’s pickleball activities, notes that as of September 2025, just over 300 of the Centre’s 1,100 members played pickleball.

With so many players, some organization is needed. Fortunately, there are six courts at the Recreation Centre, allowing for 24 people playing at any one time, with others waiting on deck. 

Cosman notes that pickleball isn’t an expensive sport to get into. Though top-level paddles can cost hundreds of dollars, you can buy a beginner’s paddle much more cheaply - around $20, he notes. Cosman recommends composite rather than wooden paddles.

Runners or court shoes and clothing that allows movement are the only other requirements.

Though it helps to have some basic coordination skills, Cosman says it’s relatively easy to pick up the game, and because there are times blocked out for people at various skill levels, it’s easy to get matches with people at similar ability levels. This keeps the game fun.

Like any other sport, playing pickleball comes with risks. The cement floor can be unforgiving, and Cosman has seen slip and fall injuries, and even concussions. He notes that sometimes, these occur when running backward, as players get their feet tangled up, so being aware of that risk is helpful. A CBC article about the sport noted that stretching and warmups can reduce injury as well.

Some pickleball players describe the sport as “addictive.” Asked about this, Cosman smiled. He’s been playing pickleball for about five years, and says that “once you get started with pickleball, you can’t get enough.”

Asked about the reasons for the sport’s popularity, Cosman notes, “you make a lot of friends, and everyone is really accommodating. Plus, there’s exercise thrown in.” He’s notes that he’s seen an increase in interest in the sport over the past few years.

Cosman plays both indoor and, weather permitting, outdoors, noting that the outdoor game uses a different ball. The outdoor ball is smaller, and with 40 holes rather than the 26 in the indoor ball. This difference reduces the potential for the wind to impact the ball’s flight. The outdoor ball is also harder, because of the surfaces the game is played on.

Though pickleball is popular at the Seniors Centre, there are other opportunities to play. Norfolk County’s web site lists a number of times and venues available for pickleball. Workshops are offered so participants can learn the basics of the sport. There are also adaptive pickleball sessions which accommodate players with physical and cognitive disabilities. 

During nicer weather, a number of multi-use courts that accommodate pickleball are available throughout the county. These include Waterford’s Audrey S. Hellyer Park, Courtland Lions Community Park, Langton Lions Athletic Park, Pinegrove Park, Port Rowan Multi-use Courts, Turkey Point Pickleball Courts, and Westwood Acres Park.

More information about pickleball opportunities offered through Norfolk County, including those at the Simcoe Seniors Centre, can be found at https://www.norfolkcounty.ca.

There is also a Simcoe Pickleball Club, which organizes court times for its members. The Simcoe Pickleball Club’s website is https://simcoepickleballclub.ca.