Places to Play--Where in the World?

If you are as addicted to pickleball as I am, you'll want to find a game no matter where life takes you. We are lucky here in Aiken to have a variety of places to play, both indoors and outdoors, public and private, free and not-so-free. But how do you find a game when traveling? This was my challenge recently when I was planning a trip to Scotland.

I started by looking at my itinerary. I identified three free afternoons where we'd be in a city large enough to have pickleball. Then Mr. Google and I set to work. I quickly discovered the Pickleball Scotland website with a Places to Play page. I sent off some emails and sat back to wait!

A few days later, I got a bite! But just like fishing, I had to throw this one back. Here was the reply: "Unfortunately, we're located in Stirling, Ontario, Canada, not Scotland! Best wishes for a great trip." I best not get a second job as a researcher!

I had better luck with Glasgow. I was invited to play with their Saturday 3.0-3.5 group that played from 12:00-2:00. The only problem was that my train wasn't scheduled to get to Glasgow until 12:30.

That morning I boarded the train already wearing my pickleball clothes and with my fingers crossed. There must have been some Pickle Magic at play, because the train actually pulled into Glasgow 30 minutes ahead of schedule! I flew out of the station, raced down the street, and jumped into a cab. "Take me to the Scotstoun Leisure Centre. I have a pickleball game to play." I spent the next 15 minutes explaining pickleball to the cab driver who had never heard of this sport.

The Scotstoun Leisure Centre is a huge facility with indoor and outdoor tennis courts, two swimming pools, and fitness centers in addition to being home to the National Badminton Centre, Scotstoun Stadium and the Scotstoun Squash Centre.

Somehow I found my way to the courts in the National Badminton Centre where one badminton game and two pickleball games were in progress. The gym had four courts with an acrylic floor lined for badminton. Since the only difference was the placement of the kitchen (NVZ) line which they had taped, the doubles lines for badminton worked perfectly for pickleball.

I received a warm greeting and was soon playing with my new pickleball friends. Apparently, badminton skills translate well to a pickleball court. I made the mistake of underestimating one gentleman who seemed to have some mobility issues. Turns out, he was a former badminton player who could zing the ball a zillion miles an hour, placing it with the skill of a surgeon!

I had a blast playing with these "picklers" in Glasgow, finding the same level of inclusiveness and lively fun that I have experienced in Aiken. No matter where you play, there's just something about this sport that sets it apart from all others!

I presented my hosts with two "Emotional Support Pickles" in gratitude for allowing me to join them, but I can never thank them enough for the experience of playing the best sport in the world in another place of the world.

Where have you played pickleball?

 I'd love to hear about your experiences playing in other places.