“Let’s Play Pickleball” is the theme of this year’s free public pickleball beginners’ clinic and demonstration that is being held on Saturday, July 17, at the Bristol Town Common.

The Bristol Pickleball Club of Rhode Island will be sponsoring a free Public Pickleball Beginners Clinic and Demonstration from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bristol Town Commons Tennis/Pickleball courts.

So … What exactly is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, ping pong and racquetball and is currently one of the fastest growing sports in America. It may have a funny name, but it’s a serious sport.

It’s fast paced, easy to learn, great exercise and lots of fun. A great activity for all ages ... come see what all the excitement is about.

Pickleball is being played by over four million people across the country and is said to be America’s fastest growing sport. For more information on the sport of Pickleball go to our website at www.BPCRI.com.

The interest in pickleball is exploding across our state with people now looking for outdoor activities to participate in post-pandemic. The attendance of local beginner pickleball clinics has increased dramatically across our area. We are very excited about the creation of a Rhode Island based Junior Pickleball program for 8- to 12-year-olds. We have six communities across Rhode Island that have signed up to establish youth pickleball programs in their communities. For more information on Rhode Island youth pickleball programs, you can go to their website: www.youthpickleball.com.

And one last note. A few months ago I was approached by the warden of the RIDOC Women’s Correctional facility in Cranston to come in and help set up a pickleball program for their inmates. After passing all of our background security checks, myself and two other pickleball instructors went into their facility this past week to introduce pickleball to them. It was so exciting to be able to do this and bring a smile and a laugh to those that could use it.

It was totally worth the extra effort to make this happen. The session was such a success that we have been invited to return in a few weeks to follow up on the development of their pickleball skills.

I have been asked why I enjoy playing pickleball, and my answer is that I love seeing people of all ages and abilities having fun. And believe me, this sport is fun to play and it is addictive.

So please come by the Commons on July 17 and check out the sport with the funny name and watch some of the area’s best pickleball players display their pickleball skills.

Cliff Teixeira
Bristol
Mr. Teixeira is president of the Bristol Pickleball Club of Rhode Island.