It's an activity that most people play in junior high or high school gym class and then never again. Pickleball is having a resurgence as a sport for kids of all ages.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014 and Kiwanis Park in Bettendorf is bumping. On this Friday alone there were nearly two dozen people, most of them seniors, starting their day off playing pickleball.
"I used to play a lot of racquetball and I really think that helped me just ease right into this game," said player Karen Sparbell.
To keep up with the demand over the past couple years, the city of Bettendorf built six courts, designated for pickleball only. It's a good thing too because membership in the Quad City Pickleball Club is skyrocketing.
"[There were] 50 over a year ago to over 210 today," said Dean Easterlund, Ambassador of the USA Quad Cities Pickleball Association.
The game is attracting people of all ages.
"I believe anybody can play pickleball as long as they have their balance, an eye, and a hand," said player, Patty Macbeth-Goetsch.
Macbeth-Goetsch or better known as Pickleball Patty is 77 years old and plays five times a week. She's not just a player either, she's cashing in on the sport's growing popularity.
"I sell paddles, balls, sports bags," said Macbeth-Goetsch.
Players say it's a fun game, great excercise and a community of their own.
"We're like a big family. You know we all know each others' names," said Sparbell.
Anyone can play and all you need is a wiffle ball and a paddle.