Somewhere during my second full summer of pickleball, this stopped feeling like something I do and started feeling like something I’m actually part of.
I’m playing league twice a week now, but “twice a week” is a little misleading. I’m usually there an hour early and hanging around an hour after, so those league nights easily turn into three or four hours at Borden Park.
And apparently I don’t know how to just sit around between games anymore either.
I’ve started helping as a court monitor, watching for out balls, kitchen violations, illegal serves, and occasionally offering a little coaching when somebody wants it.
That part still makes me laugh.
I learned pickleball in RARA 101 in the spring of 2025. By that fall, Blair and Morn had me helping with 101 and 102. Now this is my third time helping with the clinics.
One of my favorite moments this summer came with a newer player who kept getting caught in no man’s land. We worked on staying back after their side served instead of immediately creeping forward.
Later they told me it had made a huge difference in their scoring.
That was pretty darn cool.
But pickleball has given me a lot more than a better third shot.
I’ve made a ridiculous number of new friends. I’m in much better shape. Between pickleball and Peloton, I’m down another 20 pounds this year. Elena still comes out a couple times a month to watch, and I have a feeling her paddle will eventually make another appearance too.
Mostly, though, I just really like being around these people.
If you’ve been thinking about playing more, play more. Get there early. Stay late. Take the clinic. Ask the question. Help somebody newer than you.
You never know what two summers can turn into.
And yes, I realize I just spent an entire article telling you to play more pickleball.
Next Drop: why maybe you absolutely should NOT. 😏
P.S. Want to see what this crew looks like when we put the paddles down? [Take a look back at last year’s Happy Hour.]