I have never played pickleball in my life before. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that it was a sport until my parents took it up earlier this year. They’d been trying to get me to join them, but I was always too busy… or just too tired! This time, however, I finally decided to give it a shot. I thought to myself, “It can’t be that hard and it should be quite fun… right?”
We arranged for me to try out this trending sport at the pickleball court near my home during one of my parents’ pickleball sessions with their friends. Reaching the court, I was immediately intimidated. Everyone seemed to have been playing for a long time, and I felt like the only inexperienced player there!
Starting something new can always be a little scary, but I reminded myself that it’s better to face my fears and experience it than miss the chance to do it at all! So, I took a deep breath, stepped onto the court, and started warming up. After stretching, I approached my dad, who’s my trainer, to teach me the basics.
Learning The Ropes
I was already quite familiar with the rules of pickleball, having done some research on my own prior to this session. My dad showed me how to hold the paddle and how to swing properly to hit the ball with power and accuracy. It was a bit tricky to get used to it since the type of ball sports that I am used to are games like netball.
However, despite the initial awkwardness, I found the learning process really enjoyable. There’s a satisfying feeling and sound that came with hitting the ball just right, and it motivated me to keep trying.
Once I got the hang of swinging and serving, we decided to start a match.
Let’s Get Started!
It was nerve-wracking, but it was also incredibly fun. I definitely had moments of discouragement, like when I kept hitting the ball wrongly or missing it entirely. But the people around me were so encouraging, constantly telling me that it was okay to make mistakes since it was my first time playing.
I obviously lost every single match, but as time went on, I could feel myself improving my skills. I felt more comfortable on the court and even managed to almost win one of the matches. I have a feeling they might have gone easy on me, but a win is a win in spirit!
More Than Just A Game
The experience of my first pickleball game was truly positive, and I’m already looking forward to joining my parents more often. Now I understand why they are always so excited every evening to go out and play with their friends!
In fact, I’m thinking of checking out the pickleball courts at SAFRA Yishun. My parents have played there before and they told me that they have great facilities, and it will be a perfect spot to hone my skills and perhaps even play with some new people. Moreover, it is affordable and also very convenient location wise!
The pickleball community is truly amazing. Everyone was so welcoming and kind, and I’m so glad I had such a positive environment for my first experience. It’s not just about the game itself, but the people who play it that make the experience so much fun. If you’ve ever thought about starting, this is your sign! Take the leap, grab a paddle, and hit the court. You definitely won’t regret it!
Want to try your hand at pickleball too? Book a game or two at our pickleball courts available at SAFRA Tampines, SAFRA Jurong, SAFRA Yishun or SAFRA Mount Faber. Click here for more information.
SAFRA members pay lower rates starting from $3.30/hr, while public rates start from $5.10/hr, making it more affordable for members to enjoy pickleball courts across SAFRA locations. Plus, members get exclusive online booking privileges and complimentary equipment rental for a limited time. Complimentary rental of paddles and balls is available by request.
