By JT Farabow

Ever since COVID-19 turned the world upside down, people have been looking for ways to ease their stress and pass their time in an enjoyable way. People have sought out something that’s fun, active, and social that can be done in a safe environment outdoors.

That’s why pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

A lot like tennis, pickleball is an exciting, fast-paced, short-court game played with square paddles and a whiffle ball. It’s a relaxed, fun time with friends that can be played in doubles or singles.

Being only 44 ft. in length and 20 ft. in width, a pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court, which is 78 ft. in length and 36 ft. in width. This creates a lot more action in a much tighter space and calls for less stamina and cardio that is typically required in a game of tennis.

Although pickleball was officially created in 1965, its popularity has rapidly increased since COVID-19 times. With the addition of pickleball courts on campus this fall, the trendy sport has now made its way to High Point University and is available as an intramural sport this spring.

With the sports booming popularity, it has become a high demand sport for HPU Rec. Because of this, many people have been introduced to this exciting sport for the first time. In its inaugural season, A total of 48 teams signed up to participate in HPU Rec’s pickleball league.

One of the main appeals of pickleball is that anyone can play it, regardless of age or athletic capability.

“I think pickleball is a sport for anyone and everyone, from little kids to older folks,” said Annie Borovskiy, an HPU Rec site manager. “A wide range of people really enjoy playing it.”

Anthony Quagliata, a senior at HPU, was a last minute substitution for a friend who couldn’t make their intramural match. After just one interaction with the sport, Quagliata has already fallen in love.

“Pickleball is awesome,” said Quagliata. “I didn’t know I was going to be playing today, but it was a lot of fun and I am really glad that I got to play. It’s a mixture of ping pong and tennis, which are both things that I love. This is definitely not going to be my last time playing. I’ll probably go buy my own pickleball kit and try to get some of my friends to come out and play.”

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If you wish to get involved with the HPU Rec pickleball league, check out the HPU Rec website for more information.

JT Farabow is a senior at High Point University majoring in Sports Media with a minor in Journalism. For contact inquiries, please email jfarabow@highpoint.edu.