From the Picklehood

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” — Anonymous

 

As we finish our first decade of pickleball here on the island of Kaua’i and our 46th column, I share with you four years of “moments”….. From The Picklehood,

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December, 2021…..Our column’s first publishing.  The net’s not your friend (get it over).  The sidelines and baseline….not your friend (keep the ball in play).  Hit to the middle and you won’t miss wide.  If you hit an elevated shot that goes over the net but doesn’t bounce, you may lose the rally, but you still made your opponent have to hit it back.  You didn’t miss into the net, wide, or long.  You didn’t hand them a point or a side out.  As you get better, you won’t elevate as many shots and, hopefully, you will be sticking with the BOUNCE advice.  Every shot. The drop, the dink, the drive, the lob. Remember, if you bounce the ball on your opponents’ side, you’ve expanded the possibility of them making mistakes. 

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January, 2022…..Remember this is a game of Placement, Patience and sometimes Power.  Keep the rallies going, keep everyone smiling and laughing and revel in the fact that at the end of the day you played your best, maybe won a few games and are already looking forward to the next day of play. 

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August, 2022…..In my humble opinion, much of Kaua’i pickleball success can be attributed to Kauai’s new pickleball website pakauai.org and the stellar leadership of the Pickleball Association Kaua’i Board of Directors—Nolan Ahn, Lucia Bartels, Lori Uyeda, Kathi Maddox, Laurie Yoshida, Juliet Peters and Rumi Masumura.  Locals and visitors say the website is first class and very informative.  

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September, 2022…..My favorite memory from this past month’s pickleball play.  One of our mainland visitors told me she had been playing for a little over a year.  When I asked how things were going for her, she replied “pickleball has changed my life.”  Sound familiar?

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December, 2022….. The return of the Pickleball Handshake.  It’s a sign of respect and takes a whole five seconds longer!!  Four handle ends meeting in one singular tap.  At the net.  End of a game.  Covid played a big part in the transition away from the tapshake.  So did laziness.  It’s a unique acknowledgment characteristic of a unique sport.  Do it right….even if you’re solo on this one.

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December, 2022…..I was asked to write the ‘From The Picklehood’ column in December, 2021.  This month’s column will complete the first year.  A lot of positive has happened in the past twelve months, not the least of which is the permanent, dedicated pickleball facility nearing completion in Koloa. A first for our little island in the middle of the Pacific. But the story goes back seven years.  A handful of players decided to play, interestingly enough, on the same public tennis courts now being converted to the above mentioned dedicated pickleball (and tennis) facility.  Talk about full circle!!

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January, 2023…..Be thankful for friendships made, seeing yourself and others improve, our fellow players going off island and representing in tournaments elsewhere, the influx of visitors bringing their skills to our island and the wonderful new Koloa dedicated pickleball venue soon to open.  Let’s also give thanks for good health that keeps us on the courts playing this “fun sport with the funny name.”  It really has changed our lives.

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May, 2023…..Dedication and Blessing.  Tuesday, May 16.  Koloa.  Anne Knudsen Park. We’re official.  We’re on the map.  A middle of the Pacific picklehood with a permanent, dedicated public pickleball venue.  The first on Kaua’i.  Wow!!  

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June, 2023…..I end this month’s column in remembrance of a friend and fellow pickleball player Alana Fujikawa.  Alana passed peacefully in late May.  So many wonderful memories.  She and fellow Kauaian doubles partner Judy Honda won the gold medal in women’s doubles 60+ at the 2015 Aloha State Games Senior Olympics played in Kona.  These medals were the first EVER awarded in pickleball at the Hawaii Senior Olympics.  Will never forget that medal ceremony.  Our Pickleball ‘Ohana condolences to husband Dean.  You two were a pickleball force to be reckoned with.

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October, 2023…..A recent Mayo Clinic study revealed that people who play racket sports a minimum of 3 times a week can increase their live expectancy by an average of 8 years.  This is especially true for players over the age of 60.  Apple released findings that as of July, 2023, pickleball had become the most popular racket sport—according to Apple Watch users.  They meticulously analyzed data from 250,000 anonymous workouts to draw this conclusion.  Apple also mentioned that pickleball players burned more calories than tennis or racketball players in comparable length of time workouts.

 

 

January, 2024…..As a lead-in to the ‘Super Seniors’ tournament, I offer the following pickleball vignette.  On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, a challenge was issued by elite local players M.A. and D.S.  A best-of-three match.  Ladies vs. Lads.  ‘Super Seniors’ vs. ’Youngsters posing as Seniors.’  Despite their obvious ploy, Marvin N. and yours truly (the lads) accepted.  Never mind the 10-15 year age difference.  So what that we had already played two hours of rotational social play..  Two tired, 70’s ‘Supers.’  No energy goodies.  Running low on water.   Distracted by thoughts of lunch.  Or a nap. No matter!!  In a hard fought battle characterized by excellent play, the Super Seniors prevailed, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4.  We punched….and dinked….and lobbed…. above our weight that morning.  You may applaud!!

 

May, 2024…..A comment on positivity and joy.  There’s no substitute for those two.  None.  They don’t guarantee success, but without them, you don’t stand a chance.  Everything you do with paddle in hand should bring you pleasure.  Not always success, but pleasure.  You miss the shot.  You know why.  Keep working.  Practice as you play.  Over time, those tiny moments of collective positivity and joy will change you as a pickleball player.  That’s progress.  That’s happiness.  And it means all those moments of positivity counted. 

 

August, 2024…..“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time.  They just have the heart.” The recently completed Pickleball Association Kaua’i’s second annual tournament was the best our island has seen in the nine years this game has been played on Kaua’i.  No exaggeration.  I attended all three days.  Played on the first day.  Watched numerous friends who attended our first ever pickleball clinic in April of 2015 play and play well.  Many medaled.  I enjoyed watching others who have played considerably less also win medals.  And I felt so much joy seeing many participants in the 10-18 age group play.  A handful medaled. 

I wonder, though, how many of our players and spectators took the time to think about those who organized the tournament.  The volunteers who sat at the tournament tent making sure each division, each bracket, each court assignment and each medal ceremony was handled smoothly and accurately.  The volunteer referees.  Those who handled the raffles.  The food.  The set up, break down and clean up each day.

 

First Ever Pickleball Clinic.  April 1, 2015.  A very successful clinic at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center gym..  No fooling.  Close to 100 participants.  Two weeks later, Tuesday/Thursday morning drop-in pickleball play started.  Many are still playing today.  That was over ten years ago!!  Kudos to gym director Jason Caldeira, James Kealalio, Cindy Duterte and Melanie Okamoto.  A big thank you as well to my wife Stephanie for helping plan the clinic and for the teaching assistance that day and every day since. 

 

Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays.

 

Jack Hodges

District Ambassador - State of Hawaii

Kauai Resident