These athletes have 2 answers – yes, and you don’t have to wait till retirement.

Rick Mendenhall and Susan Goldstraw are competing in the mixed doubles pickleball at this year’s National Senior Games, in the 70+ year division. Rick is also playing men’s doubles, and Susan women’s doubles.

It’s Rick’s 4th time at the Games, and while “doing better than last time is always a goal,” the real reason he keeps playing and competing is that it’s the most fun way to stay fit and active that he knows. Susan agrees. With several medals under her belt at state and national levels, 

“After a while, you’re always running into the same people, so it becomes really social, and that’s part of the fun too.” 

If you don’t know what pickleball is, don’t worry, you soon will. Apparently invented on Bainbridge Island, outside Seattle, in 1968 it is now the fastest growing sport in America. According to the USA Pickleball Association, it’s appropriate for all ages: “It’s easy to start and hard to stop.”

Rick became involved almost by accident. He played tennis in high school and racquetball as an adult but was not deeply involved in any particular sport when a friend turned to him in a time of need. His partner was suddenly unable to compete in a pickleball tournament and the friend asked Rick to step in.

“I had the hand-eye co-ordination so I thought I could give it a try,” he said.

He discovered a vibrant, social network of players of all ages and found himself going back for more. He started going to his local YMCA which had pickleball courts and discovered a wonderful group of fellow enthusiasts.

“After I retired, I took up golf, which is enjoyable, but really, I’d rather play pickleball than any other sport.”

“It’s more fun than any other way I know of keeping fit and active.”

Susan had a similar chance encounter with the game. She was working at a YMCA when a group of pickleballers invited her to try the game. As an ex-tennis player and coach, she took to it easily.

Rick and Susan agree that the game is built around fun. Many different people play it, it is welcoming to beginners, and there are enough good players to help you keep learning and keep improving.

Like Rick, Susan has been active in sport in one way or another all her life, but as a pickleball coach herself now, she says

“I have coached people who’ve never played a sport in their lives before and they do well and have a great time playing.”

She also plays and coaches at her local church, and many public parks are now sprouting pickleball courts.

Rick has been playing pickleball competitively for about 9 years now, and Susan for about 7. including several qualifications to the National Senior Games, and several gold and silver medals between them. They both have friends from all over the country thanks to pickleball, and are looking forward to catching up with them, and competing against them in Florida this May.

For people curious to try out pickleball, Rick says: “Just google ‘pickleball near me’” there is so much of it about. The USA Pickleball Association also has a great network of advocates. They recommend just turning up – the players are inclusive and helpful and ready to let you have a go. Most likely, someone will lend you a paddle and let you get started. After that, you don’t need much. A paddle, a ball and some tennis shoes. 

Susan reflects on the lessons she’s learned from playing sport: 

“Life is such that you cannot win all the time. I stay positive and try and learn from setbacks. In fact they can push you to improve”

She adds, “I’m lucky to be able to still go out and play people younger, including my grandchildren.”

Pandemic Proof?

Pickleball can be played outdoors or indoors, and many states didn’t see much of a slowdown in playing during the recent COVID pandemic. Once vaccines were available, the tournaments started up again, with some restrictions regarding vaccination status, but because the game doesn’t require players to be close to one another, it managed to largely keep going during the pandemic. Particularly in the south, where Rick is based, they pretty much kept playing as usual, outside.

Catch up with Rick and Susan and the other pickleball competitors at this year’s National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, FL