NOT even darkening skies and a looming thunderstorm could put a dampener on enthusiasm for the increasingly popular sport of pickleball yesterday.
A come and try event was staged at the Beaudesert Tennis Courts just as the storm was due to hit.
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport which combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton.
Played with a paddle and perforated ball, it is popular among the elderly and those with injuries because of the low-impact nature of game play.
Pickleball Association of Queensland president Jen Ramamurthy came along and joined players from clubs in Brisbane and the gold Coast who gave their time to teach locals the basics.
Ms Ramamurthy said the sport was well suited to small communities like Beaudesert.
"It's perfect for multi-generational games and perfect for families," she said.
"It requires only a very low skill level to get started and people achieve success on the court very quickly."
The sport, which has become a craze in America, has seen a rapid growth in Australia since 2018 and now boasts about 4000 players nationwide.
Ms Ramamurthy said about 2000 players were in Queensland where about 12 clubs have been established.
"We ran the National Titles and we had international players come to that," she said.
"We had junior events and all the way up to 70 years and older as well as an open event."
At the Beaudesert event diivision 4 councillor Michael Enright dropped in to see what the fuss was about and to have a try at playing pickleball.
Ron Jackson, who started a pickleball club at Ormiston earlier this year was also at the event to support his Mundoolun-based brother Wayne, who is championing the sport in Beaudesert.
"Wayne will be happy to have a club here because he and his wife have been driving up to the Redlands every week," Mr Jackson said.
"This weekend we will be competing in the Queensland Opens at Beenleigh Tennis Centre. Wayne will be playing there too, in the 65+ age bracket."
The residents who had a try at pickleball all seemed to be having a great time and many agreed the sport would be a welcome activity in Beaudesert.
Mr Jackson said the next step would be to find a suitable venue to hold the games.
To find out more, contact Wayne Jackson on on 0421 204 084 or email wayne@firstaid4life.com.au.
