Senior Matters: Pickleball keeping seniors active

As most of us know already, the Gulf Coast is hot and humid, but it doesn’t stop some of our South Mississippi seniors from braving the heat so they can stay fit and have fun.

If you hear the word pickleball, you are probably thinking it sounds like some sort of weird snack, but in Biloxi and all across America it is one of the fastest growing racket sports, especially among senior citizens. Pickleball player Jerry Hodges said, “This has allowed a form of exercise that is fun. Just to go to the gym to just work out or walk is boring. This is not boring. You get addicted to it. It’s really quite fun.”

Hodges has been playing pickleball for two-and-a-half years and for him it isn’t just about playing a game. He started Tri-life Foundation back in 1987, a group that promotes healthy living.

Now that pickleball has become such a large part of his life, he is incorporating the two. Jerry’s foundation is helping to make tennis courts into pickleball courts just to keep up with the demand of senior citizens. “This has been a great opportunity to give back to the community and to support the community, especially seniors. As I’ve aged and dealing with issues that aging deals with, it’s an important part of life to have opportunities to move and exercise.”

Hodges says he’s just happy to be staying active with pickleball. He says he can play it every day because it is easier on the body compared to other sports. It’s a hobby and lifestyle that stemmed from his friendship with fellow pickleball player Tom Linenberger as they shared their vision of pickleball with the senior community. “The best thing is the social aspect of this sport is outstanding. A lot of times we will just have recreational players. They just want to come, have a good time, get exercise, and meet other people.”

Because of pickleball the senior citizens in Biloxi have a great outlet to stay active. There have been seniors with all kinds of health problems like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and even cancer but even with all of these setbacks these seniors are still staying healthy because they are moving.

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