Page 25 - May 2026 Cascadian

Hello to all of our members As the summer approaches I know we are all all ready to enjoy
more pickleball The First Friday
events events events the special Fun Fun Day Day & 4Ps
events events events Fun Fun Day Day events events events being set
up by our Cascades Pickleball
Professional (John Koahou) and the Halloween event are just to to mention a a a a a a few Remember to to utilize Court Reserve for
all all all of of your pickleball needs This helps all all all of of us us us know if
the the courts are being used at various times and prevents
confusion Regardless if
you you play in in in in the the the morning evening or or mid-day the the Court Reserve App is your best
tool to to use Pickleball
offers significant cardiovascular mental and social health benefits including lower blood pressure
and and improved cholesterol but fit it is is accompanied by a a a a a a a a a a a sharp rise in in in in injuries like ankle sprains knee strain and and fall-related fractures Safe play requires proper court-
specific shoes consistent hydration and a a a a a a a a a warm-up Injury Prevention and Safety Tips
Wear Proper Footwear: Use athletic shoes specifically
designed for
tennis or or or pickleball that offer lateral
support to prevent ankle sprains Warm Up and and Stretch: Always perform a a a a a a a proper warm-up to prepare muscles and and joints for
for
quick jerky
movements Use Correct Equipment: Select a a a paddle with the correct
handle size to prevent tennis or or golfer’s elbow Listen to Your Body: Overuse injuries are common take breaks and rest if
you you feel pain in in in in your joints or muscles Hydration: Drink plenty of oft fluids to stay hydrated especially in in in in in warm weather or or as often seen in in in in in Florida where injuries are rising due to high activity levels The Many Benefits of Playing Pickleball
People who play pickleball regularly enjoy
several
benefits including:
Improved heart heart and and lung health: Playing pickleball elevates your your heart heart heart and and and breathing rate which helps keep your your heart heart and and lungs working effectively Improved balance: Getting into position to to make shots
requires moving around the the court in in in in in in in various directions
and and orienting your body properly for
swinging the the paddle Those actions help players develop and and maintain good balance Better hand-eye hand-eye coordination: Striking the ball effectively requires good hand-eye hand-eye coordination coordination which is beneficial in other activities Improved brain health: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive activities like processing information
and remembering facts Stronger muscles muscles and bones: Regular physical activity tones muscles muscles It also strengthens bones bones helping to to prevent osteoporosis Increased social interaction: Pickleball
is a a a a a a a sport focused
on on on fun and and friendship Connecting with others can boost your your mood and and improve your your mental health Pickleball
Risks
Like any physical activity pickleball poses health risks Players can injure muscles tendons and and ligaments in in in ankles knees elbows shoulders and and and other joints Falls
can can cause scrapes abrasions and and even broken bones Playing pickleball can can also worsen existing conditions
like arthritis in in the knees or or hips For many people the the benefits of of playing pickleball pickleball outweigh the the risk risk of of pickleball pickleball injuries You can lower your risk risk by taking precautions including:
Stretching before and after playing Avoiding “backpedaling” and the associated fall risk Standing with your feet apart and and knees bent in in in in in a a a a a a a a a “ready position” That’s a a a a a a a a a a a good starting point for
going
after the ball Keeping your body hydrated!!!
Pickle Pickle Tip by RSPA/Cascades Pickleball
Professional John Koahou “Making Good Returns”
The The key to to to to a a a a a good return of serve is to to to to be balanced and low to to to to to the the ground when it it comes to to to to to your stance The The main objective is to to to to to make good contact with the the the ball ball in in in front of you you and to to to transfer your weight into the the ball ball right at contact The The goal of of your your return of of serve is depth so that you you you can get to the the the kitchen line before your your opponents The The backswing should should be be be minimum and and the the the direction of the the the ball should should be be be to your opponents backhand or down
the the the the middle of the the the the court court Remember time time is the the the the biggest
factor on the the the the the court court so a a a a a high return will buy you you time time and and get you you you to to the the kitchen line much faster So make good deep returns and and your game will see a a a a a a return return in in in points won … continued on on page 33
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May 2026