Latest news with #PickleballCanada
Montreal Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Pickleball's popularity is rising rapidly in Montreal. So are the injuries
The first pickleball game Bernadette Reichert ever played was going great until the last three minutes. She remembers the date — Feb. 13 of this year — because it was the day before Valentine's Day. Friends invited her to try the sport seemingly everyone had been talking about for years. Reichert, an active 66-year-old, fell in love with it immediately. Easy to learn, fast-moving, social: 'I really, really, really enjoyed it,' she said. She played for almost 90 minutes at the municipal courts in Kirkland. Then her opponent lobbed a ball wide, and instead of letting it go, she reached too far and fell sideways. At first she thought it was nothing, even though fellow players told her: 'You don't look so good.' Gripping the steering wheel as she drove to a hair appointment after the game, she noticed a sharp pain in her wrist. When she arrived, her hairdresser said: 'You don't look so good.' Reichert sat down and fainted. She had broken two bones in her wrist. Her short-lived pickleball career had been put on hold. Reichert is by no means alone. Pickleball is widely touted as North America's fastest-growing sport. Pickleball Canada estimates the number of Canadians playing the fast-paced game rose from 1 million people in 2022 to 1.5 million as of this year. With the rapid rise in participants has come a surge in pickleball-related injuries. One U.S. study published in 2024 found the number of reported fractures had increased by 200 per cent over the last 20 years. More than 85 per cent of those who recorded injuries were over 60 years of age. The majority of breaks were in bones in the arm and wrist, and were due to falls. The actual number of overall injuries is likely much higher, as the study didn't look at soft-tissue injuries like ankle sprains and Achilles tendon tears that are more common to the sport. Sometimes viewed as a low-impact activity played by a generation who grew up with The Beatles on the radio and Lester B. Pearson as prime minister, the sport that resembles a cross between tennis and Ping-Pong can be deceptively perilous. 'It's a bit of a perfect storm phenomenon in that it's extremely popular,' said Dr. Paul Martineau, an orthopaedic surgeon with the McGill University Health Centre specializing in sports injuries. 'And it's extremely popular in an age group that has a lot of time to play pickleball, and in an age group that's predisposed to certain injuries.' One Montrealer who broke a wrist while playing in Ontario cottage country this summer was told by the Parry Sound ER doctor she was his fourth pickleball injury in two days: 'One torn Achilles, one knee and two wrists,' he said. As we age, muscles get weaker, bones may thin a bit, and after 40, our tendons are more subject to tearing, Martineau said. Pickleball requires a lot of rapid lateral movement and back and forth lunging, putting concerted, repeated strain on joints and muscles in the lower body. At the same time, the barrier to entry in pickleball is remarkably fast as compared to a sport like tennis, which can take years to learn. 'You can get on a pickleball court and have fun within about 20 minutes and actually rally,' Martineau said. But people underestimate the sport's physicality and its ability to spark competitiveness that can lead to overextending. Particularly among a sector of the population that is retired, healthier than previous generations and wants to maintain an active lifestyle for longer. 'People are doing things their grandparents didn't do,' Martineau said. 'And then paying the price for that.' Injuries are not solely the domain of rookies. Montrealer Christine Latremoille, 69, who used to play racquetball at the national level and has played competitive pickleball for years, recently fell over sideways and landed on the upright rim of her paddle. 'I pretty much impaled myself,' she said. 'I'm not sure if I cracked a rib or just bruised it, but that was an unusual one.' She was out for two months. Early in her pickleball career she played a match without stretching first and tore the soleus muscle in her calf. That injury also cost her two months. 'A lot of the people that we play with are ex-athletes from other sports, so we have this assumption in our aging brains that we're still the 20-year-old athlete we once were,' she said. 'And we may not take the right preparations for stretching and so on.' The slightly addictive nature of the sport may also play a role, notes Barry Samberg, the owner of Club PKL in Pointe-St-Charles. With mostly experienced players coming to his centre, they don't see many injuries, he said. But they do see overuse, with people playing as long as four hours at a stretch. When players are tired, they're more prone to making sloppy moves that can lead to injury. Backs often bear the brunt of overstraining. Another no-no is improper footwear. 'I do see injuries from players that come in and they're wearing running shoes as opposed to court shoes,' Samberg said. 'Running shoes are only designed to go straight, not horizontal, so when they have to make a sideways movement, that's where they can potentially roll an ankle.' Merely standing up for two hours straight during a typical match fatigues the body, noted Peter Levidis, an athletic therapist who has run the Sport Specialists clinic in Dorval with his wife Melanie Scrase for nearly 25 years. 'There's a lot more chance that you'll try that extra reach when you're tired where you can pull a muscle,' he said. 'Because the movement is brisk and there's a deceleration, acceleration, all it takes is a false little movement and you can sprain an ankle.' At his clinic, sprained or torn Achilles tendons and ankles, tendon issues and lower body injuries are the most commonly seen pickleball ailments. Elbow and wrist issues also come up. Despite the uptick in injuries, however, experts stress the health benefits of the low-cost sport that is relatively easy for older people to take up far outweigh the slight chance of injury. Maintaining activity levels helps older people preserve their independence, and 'bones do like impact — they don't get as weak if you keep using them,' Martineau said. 'So there are benefits to doing things like that, but it comes with a little bit of a risk.' Latremoille noted there's a lot of socializing with pickleball, including after the game, and in going on trips to tournaments together. 'As you get older, that's extremely important for mental health, so that's another spinoff dividend, if you will.' Tips for staying injury-free on the court LESSONS Although it may be easy to learn, wannabe pickleball players would benefit greatly from taking a lesson or two first, just as one would if considering taking up tennis or golf, said Dr. Paul Martineau. Learning the basics of proper technique can help to avert improper movements that lead to a fall or a sprain. At the same time, remember it's a sport that brings out one's competitive nature, so try to play within your level and don't overdo it. 'I would advise people to try and play within themselves, because the level of competition seems very high,' Martineau said. 'And then people get too excited and overextend themselves.' CONDITIONING As with any physical activity, a brief warmup helps to loosen muscles and make joints and tendons more limber, lessening chances of an injury during play, Martineau notes. 'Being well warmed up before you get on the court would be the main thing,' he said. Having a basic level of fitness before lunging about in many different directions would also help. Some centres, like Club PKL in Pointe-St-Charles, offer fitness classes geared toward strengthening and stretching the muscles used in pickleball. It can also help with reaction time. Yoga is also good for increasing flexibility. 'You can have strong legs, but if you can't react properly and you can't move your leg quickly to the side or turn your trunk to avoid a ball or hit a ball, that's when we can pull muscles,' athletic therapist Peter Levidis said. A common refrain among pickleball victims is that they were wearing running shoes before tragedy struck. The rapid side-to-side movements of the sport require a court shoe that's low to the ground to lessen the chance of rolling an ankle, and has lateral support and good traction. Court shoes are good for indoors. For outdoors, tennis shoes work, as do shoes specifically designed for pickleball. It's also a good idea to find a paddle that is a comfortable size and weight.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Non-traditional sports like pickleball and bouldering are helping Canadians get active this summer
On a warm summer Canadian evening, you might hear the pop-pop of a pickleball game, spot someone scaling a climbing wall at a community centre or catch players rallying on a padel court — a fast-growing racquet sport that looks like a mix between tennis and squash. What may once have seemed like fringe hobbies are now part of a growing movement. Canadians are seeking alternative ways to stay physically active, connect socially and improve their mental and physical well-being. While gym memberships and traditional sports will always have their place, more people are choosing leisure activities that are fun, flexible and social. Activities like pickleball, climbing, padel, disc golf, cricket, ultimate frisbee and stand-up paddleboarding are gaining momentum, offering a fresh approach to fitness that suits all ages, skill levels and motivations. The COVID-19 pandemic played a big role in reshaping how people get physically active. With gyms closed and organized sports on hold, people turned to parks, driveways and community spaces for movement. What began as temporary adjustments soon evolved into permanent shifts for some. Many people realized that being active didn't have to be rigid or repetitive; it could be more social and genuinely enjoyable. TikTok videos and Instagram reels showcasing everything from 'how to videos' to 'beginner fails' have also helped pique curiosity and increase participation in these activities. According to Pickleball Canada, 1.54 million Canadians are playing the sport in 2025 — a 57 per cent increase in participation over the past three years. Meanwhile, Padel, which is already popular in Europe and Latin America, is gaining ground in major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver because of how accessible and easy to learn it is. Sales increases in paddleboards, the debut of sport climbing at the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics and the increase in popularity of spikeball (also known as roundnet) all signal a broader shift toward fun, accessible and social forms of physical activity. The physical and mental health benefits of being physically active are well established, and yet many Canadians are still not active enough to meet the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity per week, perform muscle-strengthening activities twice a week, limit sedentary time and aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Alternative sports may help address this gap by offering new routes into physical activity. Beyond the well-known physical health benefits, such as cardiovascular health, strength, agility and co-ordination, these activities are equally effective at supporting mental health and social well-being. For example, a recent study by Canadian researchers looked at 28 studies that investigated health and/or well-being of adult pickleball players. The results suggested positive social and psychological effects — in addition to health and fitness benefits — were evident, particularly for older adults. Read more: Sports like pickleball, padel and ultimate frisbee thrive on social connection, as players and partners often chat, laugh, build relationships and have potlucks or social time afterwards, all which help build community and foster a sense of belonging. Other activities, such as bouldering and climbing, encourage mental concentration, resilience and problem-solving, as routes are often designed to be attempted several times before being successful. This helps get people stronger and more confident, as they learn to keep trying even when something feels hard at first. This sense of progress and enjoyment keeps people motivated. When an activity is fun, social and rewarding, people are more likely to stick with it over time. When people want to be active, rather than feeling like they have to, they're more likely to reap the long-term benefits of being active. This is known as intrinsic motivation, a key factor for maintaining long-term physical activity because people are more likely to do something they genuinely like. Because these alternative sports are fun, low-pressure and easy to try at any level, they offer a great starting point for anyone, regardless of age, experience or ability. Across Canada, cities are increasingly investing in these growing recreational activities. Municipal parks and empty buildings are rapidly being repurposed for new pickleball and padel courts. According to an industry journal, the number of climbing gyms across Canada increased from 136 in 2021 to 169 in 2024. Part of the appeal lies in accessibility. These types of activities are beginner-friendly. Unlike many traditional sports where skills and speed are expected upfront, there is no need to be in peak physical shape or have the best gear. Most people can try these activities with little more than a pair of shoes and a rental. These activities are also adaptable and low-impact, making them accessible to a wide range of participants. They're often intergenerational and focused more on enjoyment than competition. Just as importantly, they support physical literacy — the confidence and competence to stay active throughout one's life. Building physical literacy early and sustaining it throughout adulthood is a cornerstone of long-term health promotion and chronic disease prevention. If you've been meaning to try one of these activities, this summer might be your chance. After all, fitness doesn't have to be a chore; sometimes it starts with just showing up and saying yes to something different. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sarah Woodruff, University of Windsor Read more: Pickleball's uphill climb to mainstream success Esports, pickleball and obstacle course racing are surging in popularity – what are their health benefits and challenges? Could flag football one day leapfrog tackle football in popularity? Sarah Woodruff receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and We Spark Health Institute.
Canada Standard
25-06-2025
- Health
- Canada Standard
Non-traditional sports like pickleball and bouldering are helping Canadians get active this summer
On a warm summer Canadian evening, you might hear the pop-pop of a pickleball game, spot someone scaling a climbing wall at a community centre or catch players rallying on a padel court - a fast-growing racquet sport that looks like a mix between tennis and squash. What may once have seemed like fringe hobbies are now part of a growing movement. Canadians are seeking alternative ways to stay physically active, connect socially and improve their mental and physical well-being. While gym memberships and traditional sports will always have their place, more people are choosing leisure activities that are fun, flexible and social. Activities like pickleball, climbing, padel, disc golf, cricket, ultimate frisbee and stand-up paddleboarding are gaining momentum, offering a fresh approach to fitness that suits all ages, skill levels and motivations. The COVID-19 pandemic played a big role in reshaping how people get physically active. With gyms closed and organized sports on hold, people turned to parks, driveways and community spaces for movement. What began as temporary adjustments soon evolved into permanent shifts for some. Many people realized that being active didn't have to be rigid or repetitive; it could be more social and genuinely enjoyable. TikTok videos and Instagram reels showcasing everything from "how to videos" to "beginner fails" have also helped pique curiosity and increase participation in these activities. According to Pickleball Canada, 1.54 million Canadians are playing the sport in 2025 - a 57 per cent increase in participation over the past three years. Meanwhile, Padel, which is already popular in Europe and Latin America, is gaining ground in major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver because of how accessible and easy to learn it is. Sales increases in paddleboards, the debut of sport climbing at the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics and the increase in popularity of spikeball (also known as roundnet) all signal a broader shift toward fun, accessible and social forms of physical activity. The physical and mental health benefits of being physically active are well established, and yet many Canadians are still not active enough to meet the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity per week, perform muscle-strengthening activities twice a week, limit sedentary time and aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Alternative sports may help address this gap by offering new routes into physical activity. Beyond the well-known physical health benefits, such as cardiovascular health, strength, agility and co-ordination, these activities are equally effective at supporting mental health and social well-being. For example, a recent study by Canadian researchers looked at 28 studies that investigated health and/or well-being of adult pickleball players. The results suggested positive social and psychological effects - in addition to health and fitness benefits - were evident, particularly for older adults. Read more: Light exercise can yield significant cognitive benefits, new research shows Sports like pickleball, padel and ultimate frisbee thrive on social connection, as players and partners often chat, laugh, build relationships and have potlucks or social time afterwards, all which help build community and foster a sense of belonging. Other activities, such as bouldering and climbing, encourage mental concentration, resilience and problem-solving, as routes are often designed to be attempted several times before being successful. This helps get people stronger and more confident, as they learn to keep trying even when something feels hard at first. This sense of progress and enjoyment keeps people motivated. When an activity is fun, social and rewarding, people are more likely to stick with it over time. When people want to be active, rather than feeling like they have to, they're more likely to reap the long-term benefits of being active. This is known as intrinsic motivation, a key factor for maintaining long-term physical activity because people are more likely to do something they genuinely like. Because these alternative sports are fun, low-pressure and easy to try at any level, they offer a great starting point for anyone, regardless of age, experience or ability. Across Canada, cities are increasingly investing in these growing recreational activities. Municipal parks and empty buildings are rapidly being repurposed for new pickleball and padel courts. According to an industry journal, the number of climbing gyms across Canada increased from 136 in 2021 to 169 in 2024. Part of the appeal lies in accessibility. These types of activities are beginner-friendly. Unlike many traditional sports where skills and speed are expected upfront, there is no need to be in peak physical shape or have the best gear. Most people can try these activities with little more than a pair of shoes and a rental. These activities are also adaptable and low-impact, making them accessible to a wide range of participants. They're often intergenerational and focused more on enjoyment than competition. Just as importantly, they support physical literacy - the confidence and competence to stay active throughout one's life. Building physical literacy early and sustaining it throughout adulthood is a cornerstone of long-term health promotion and chronic disease prevention. If you've been meaning to try one of these activities, this summer might be your chance. After all, fitness doesn't have to be a chore; sometimes it starts with just showing up and saying yes to something different.
Canada News.Net
24-06-2025
- Health
- Canada News.Net
Non-traditional sports like pickleball and bouldering are helping Canadians get active this summer
On a warm summer Canadian evening, you might hear the pop-pop of a pickleball game, spot someone scaling a climbing wall at a community centre or catch players rallying on a padel court - a fast-growing racquet sport that looks like a mix between tennis and squash. What may once have seemed like fringe hobbies are now part of a growing movement. Canadians are seeking alternative ways to stay physically active, connect socially and improve their mental and physical well-being. While gym memberships and traditional sports will always have their place, more people are choosing leisure activities that are fun, flexible and social. Activities like pickleball, climbing, padel, disc golf, cricket, ultimate frisbee and stand-up paddleboarding are gaining momentum, offering a fresh approach to fitness that suits all ages, skill levels and motivations. The COVID-19 pandemic played a big role in reshaping how people get physically active. With gyms closed and organized sports on hold, people turned to parks, driveways and community spaces for movement. What began as temporary adjustments soon evolved into permanent shifts for some. Many people realized that being active didn't have to be rigid or repetitive; it could be more social and genuinely enjoyable. TikTok videos and Instagram reels showcasing everything from " how to videos" to " beginner fails" have also helped pique curiosity and increase participation in these activities. According to Pickleball Canada, 1.54 million Canadians are playing the sport in 2025 - a 57 per cent increase in participation over the past three years. Meanwhile, Padel, which is already popular in Europe and Latin America, is gaining ground in major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver because of how accessible and easy to learn it is. Sales increases in paddleboards, the debut of sport climbing at the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics and the increase in popularity of spikeball (also known as roundnet) all signal a broader shift toward fun, accessible and social forms of physical activity. The physical and mental health benefits of being physically active are well established, and yet many Canadians are still not active enough to meet the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity per week, perform muscle-strengthening activities twice a week, limit sedentary time and aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Alternative sports may help address this gap by offering new routes into physical activity. Beyond the well-known physical health benefits, such as cardiovascular health, strength, agility and co-ordination, these activities are equally effective at supporting mental health and social well-being. For example, a recent study by Canadian researchers looked at 28 studies that investigated health and/or well-being of adult pickleball players. The results suggested positive social and psychological effects - in addition to health and fitness benefits - were evident, particularly for older adults. Sports like pickleball, padel and ultimate frisbee thrive on social connection, as players and partners often chat, laugh, build relationships and have potlucks or social time afterwards, all which help build community and foster a sense of belonging. Other activities, such as bouldering and climbing, encourage mental concentration, resilience and problem-solving, as routes are often designed to be attempted several times before being successful. This helps get people stronger and more confident, as they learn to keep trying even when something feels hard at first. This sense of progress and enjoyment keeps people motivated. When an activity is fun, social and rewarding, people are more likely to stick with it over time. When people want to be active, rather than feeling like they have to, they're more likely to reap the long-term benefits of being active. This is known as intrinsic motivation, a key factor for maintaining long-term physical activity because people are more likely to do something they genuinely like. Because these alternative sports are fun, low-pressure and easy to try at any level, they offer a great starting point for anyone, regardless of age, experience or ability. Across Canada, cities are increasingly investing in these growing recreational activities. Municipal parks and empty buildings are rapidly being repurposed for new pickleball and padel courts. According to an industry journal, the number of climbing gyms across Canada increased from 136 in 2021 to 169 in 2024. Part of the appeal lies in accessibility. These types of activities are beginner-friendly. Unlike many traditional sports where skills and speed are expected upfront, there is no need to be in peak physical shape or have the best gear. Most people can try these activities with little more than a pair of shoes and a rental. These activities are also adaptable and low-impact, making them accessible to a wide range of participants. They're often intergenerational and focused more on enjoyment than competition. Just as importantly, they support physical literacy - the confidence and competence to stay active throughout one's life. Building physical literacy early and sustaining it throughout adulthood is a cornerstone of long-term health promotion and chronic disease prevention. If you've been meaning to try one of these activities, this summer might be your chance. After all, fitness doesn't have to be a chore; sometimes it starts with just showing up and saying yes to something different.
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
HearingLife is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Pickleball Canada!
HearingLife Canada will serve as the official hearing care sponsor of Pickleball Canada, promoting hearing health to pickleballers nationwide TORONTO, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - HearingLife, Canada's largest hearing health care provider, is excited to announce its official sponsorship of Pickleball Canada for a 3-year term. Why Pickleball? Pickleball is taking Canada by storm, with over one million Canadians hitting the courts every month! It's not just popular; it's the fastest-growing sport among all age groups! Canadians love pickleball for its fun, social atmosphere, and incredible health and fitness benefits. "I love playing pickleball and I know that communicating with and hearing your teammate is an essential part of the game, so I'm excited to spread the love your ears message to pickleballers across the country to help keep their paddles ready for years to come," said Anna Shaw, Senior Brand Manager at HearingLife. "We encourage everyone to have their hearing tested, the earlier the better. It's why HearingLife offers FREE hearing tests for anyone over the age of 19. We want to create awareness around hearing health and how to protect your ears at any age so that you can 'Keep being you' and keep playing the game we love." The partnership will feature an interactive approach with onsite HearingLife branding and activations at Pickleball Canada's Regional and National Championships. The multi-year partnership kicks off this week at the Atlantic Regional Championship, taking place from May 23 to 25 in Bedford, Nova Scotia. The full schedule includes: Nova Scotia Provincials - Halifax (May 23 -25) Saskatchewan Provincials - Saskatoon (Jun 6 - 8) Alberta Provincials - Medicine Hat (Jul 10 - 13) BC Provincials - Vernon (Jul 24 - 27) Ontario Provincials – TBC Pickleball Nationals - Winnipeg (Aug 19 - 24) "Pickleball Canada is thrilled to welcome HearingLife Canada onto our courts to help players learn more about hearing health," said Barry Petrachenko, Executive Director of Pickleball Canada. "Our sport boasts a growing community of passionate players, many of whom hope to continue to play the game for many years to come. Protecting their hearing is an important part to ensure the paddles keep swinging." HearingLife Canada is on a mission to help more people hear better. By combining a personalized approach, conducted by professionals in hearing care, with a focus on advanced hearing technology, and comprehensive aftercare, the organization delivers personalized hearing care and solutions tailored specifically to each person. For more information about HearingLife Canada and where to find a local clinic, visit About HearingLife Canada HearingLife is Canada's largest hearing care provider, with over 350 clinics nationwide. We are dedicated to improving hearing health through free hearing tests, personalized solutions, and ongoing support. Our mission is to help individuals stay connected to the people and activities they love by delivering exceptional hearing care tailored to their needs. About Pickleball Canada Pickleball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in Canada. The Canadian Pickleball Association was established in 2009 and then incorporated as Pickleball Canada in 2011. The organization works to promote and develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to high-performance. Their mission is to promote the growth and development of pickleball across the country by providing leadership, resources, and opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball Canada is responsible for the coordination and delivery of pickleball events across the country, including the National and Regional Championships, which brings together top players from across Canada to compete for the title of national champion. With a growing number of players and clubs across the country, pickleball is Canada's fastest growing sport and Pickleball Canada is at the forefront of this exciting movement. For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit
