Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Players of all ages and skill levels are enjoying the activity first invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a mere ferry ride away from campus. At Shoreline Community College (SCC), both students and faculty can play in physical education classes and the active Pickleball club.

The sport derives from predecessors such as badminton and tennis. As described by Copper Union, pickleball is “played on a badminton-sized court with a modified [lower to the ground] tennis net. Players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net. The goal is to score points by grounding the ball on the opponent’s side.”

“Introduction to Pickleball” classes are offered all year long at SCC. Students and instructors meet at the campus gym twice a week to practice, learn, and improve their skills. These classes welcome students with plenty of experience or none at all to develop their abilities.

Instructor Stacie Attridge encouraged students to take the class PE 107, which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. She said, “it can be a fun way to become familiar with pickleball and earn two credits.”

On Nov. 1, there will be a pickleball open house at the main gym from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will offer students an opportunity to learn through demonstrations and lessons. Attendees need only show up in athletic attire, since all other necessary equipment will be provided.

SCC’s pickleball club meets at the main gym every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students are welcome to stop by at any time to ask questions, meet new people, learn how to play, and have fun.
Kevis Leung, the club’s president, took a pickleball class on campus in the fall of 2023 and decided to start the club. “I had a great time learning about this sport,” she shared. “I wanted more people to learn how to play it too.” Members of the club are planning a tournament between students and staff members for the upcoming spring quarter.

Classes allow students to improve their physical fitness and socialize. Club member Shohei Ogawa described pickleball as “a fun sport for beginners to play.” He played for the first time in the U.S. with his host family, and it did not take long for him to enjoy the sport and learn the basic rules. For him, joining the pickleball club was a great way to connect with more students while developing his athletic abilities.
Students interested in learning a new sport and being part of this community can reach out to Stacie ([email protected]), Kevis ([email protected]), or check for upcoming classes and events on Instagram (@Sccpickleballclub) and SCC’s website.