Publications
Partners
Pickleball is fun, social and friendly! The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. It is described as a mix between badminton, table tennis and mini tennis.
Pickleball is played on a level court with short-handled paddles and a perforated hollow plastic ball, called a wiffle-ball, that is volleyed over a low net. Players can choose to engage in singles or doubles (pairs of two competing against each other) matches. It can be played indoors or outdoors.
The game was invented in 1965 in the USA by three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – whose kids were bored with their usual summer activities. Since then the sport has grown in popularity and is now played across the globe by players of all ages and skill levels.
A number of Overberg towns, such as Betty’s Bay, Gansbaai and now Hermanus, also boast their own pickleball clubs.
Helene van den Berg explained that her son Jean-Pierre, who is one of the top tennis players in his age group, told them about this fast-growing sport and suggested the idea of starting a club locally.
After their friend Mariëtte Pieterse’s daughter, who plays the sport at provincial level in Canada, introduced them to the game and showed them the ropes, Helene and Danielle “Danny” Grib were hooked.
They started the Hermanus Pickleball Club, which will have its official launch this Saturday (27 April) between 09:00 and 13:00 at the Hermanus High School gymnasium.
They invite anyone who might be interested to join them for a day of fun and learning to play pickleball free of charge. There will be music and refreshments. Visitors should use the entrance in Moffat Street.
The club has three courts at the gymnasium. They have sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 17:00 to 19:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00. The cost is R75 per person for the two-hour session and includes the use of the paddles and balls.
The club is also available for parties and team-building exercises as well as sessions at schools in the area.
Visit hermanuspickleball.org or the Hermanus Pickleball Facebook page for more info or contact Helene van den Berg on 060 452 2486 or Danny Grib on 083 274 7710.
