Pickleball is a thing

We researched and communicated in advance to find possible pickleball playing opportunities in Portland.  Some of the best pro players hail from the Pacific Northwest and so we thought it would be an easy, popular game to find.  We were disappointed to learn that, much like for us in St. Pete, the local community centers are closed to pickleball in the summertime so that they can provide daily activities to the kiddies while they are on summer break.   And because the weather is so rainy 10 months a year, there are very very few outdoor courts.

There is a great website available for Oregon pickleball play here.  It is accurately maintained.

Without any wheels to get to the suburbs of Portland, we thought we were going to be on a pickleball hiatus. 😖😖  Lake Oswego Pickleball Club to the rescue.  We identified a bus route (35) would get us only a block away from the park.  It was a 45 minute trip one way on most weekdays, Sundays a little shorter.

My pickleball bag waiting to get on the 35 Bus 

This club plays outdoors on six portable courts on Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning and Sunday afternoons.  Their club meets at George Rogers Park Tennis courts.  It is a really well run club by Carl Schmits.  They have all levels of play, but they try to segregate courts by skill level to maintain challenging match ups during play.  Most days we played all courts were full and 4-6 people waited to rotate in.

We had a great time, met some friendly folks and had challenging play with the club for the entire month we stayed in Portland. The weather was so lovely and devoid of humidity, I am not sure what we will do when we get back to Florida heat.

The group welcomed us into their community and we learned a lot about how pickleball is exploding in their area.  Their club is very organized and works closely with the local recreation departments to promote pickleball locations, tournaments and specified playing times in the region.

I am not too sure that the other riders on the bus appreciated our return trips after playing 3 hours of pickleball, but no one complained outright to us.  😆

Our pickleball bags on their last bus ride back to Portland before we leave for Seattle. 😢

Even as I write this blog post, Mike is playing pickleball with intermediate/advanced players in Seattle tonight, only our 2nd night in town.  We will both play tomorrow morning as well.  What can I say?  it is addictive.

If you ever find yourself in Oregon in need of a pickleball game, look up Carl and his wife Jane at the Lake Oswego Pickleball Club. You will be glad you did.