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Pickleball, becoming popular here, was on display
BOARDMAN
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, said Mike Secora of North Lima, who was at the Davis Family YMCA to play the game, a kind of combination of pingpong and tennis.
Played with a paddle somewhat larger than that used for pingpong and a perforated lightweight plastic ball on a badminton-sized court (44 by 20 feet with a 34-inch high net), pickleball is a fast-moving game that is easier on the body than tennis, said enthuist Wayne Rohrkaste of New Springfield.
Pickleball, brought to the area from Florida by people who winter there, where it has been popular for many years, is flourishing here, said Rohrkaste, 71.
“In Florida, we play all day,” said Secora, 69.
Pickleball, health screenings and healthy snacks were among attractions at the recent Senior Health & Fitness Day at the Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road.
“We’re trying to build interest in the sport as a way to get seniors moving and building new connections,” said Tamra Lucas, who prepares and manages events for Y members and the community.
The theme of the event was “If You Keep Moving ... You’ll Keep Improving,” she said.
The Davis Y was a first-time official host site for the National Senior Health & Fitness Day activities, one of thousands across the nation, said Lucas, who organized an independent senior health and fitness day in 2014 at the Davis Y.
She said 23 vendors offered participants, mostly seniors, information on health and fitness, and also showcased Davis Y programs.
One of the vendors, Suzanne Gray of Boardman, arts coordinator for the Davis Y, teaches painting classes for all ages of adults.
Art is the universal language, she said.
“Most students come in saying they have never painted, and leave saying it was a great experience. As people get older, they want to explore different things,” said Gray, who was 52 when she went back to Youngstown State University to “learn how to paint.”
Lucas thanked the participants for attending, the community for donating the healthy snacks that were available, and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services, Inc. who provided lunch for the vendors.