MAKING
PICKLEBALL
EASIER…
ON THE BODY
AT LEAST
Today, we are seeing an evolutionary
movement toward professional designed
and constructed facilities. And while the
sport is attracting more and more players
from the generations x and y, it is the
baby boomers who are flocking to the
courts in droves, and driving the fastest
growing sport in America.
The days of pickleball players being
satisfied with temporary lines taped on
a gym floor at the local recreation center
or lines hand-drawn or spray-painted
on a tennis court or playground in the
local park are fading fast. More and
more, communities are looking to build
stand-alone pickleball facilities for their
residents.
When choosing a proper surface for
pickleball there are a number of factors
to consider. Player comfort, traction,
color, safety, and ball bounce are a few
that come to mind. To me, first and
foremost is ball bounce. Unlike other
paddle and racquet sports, the weight and
rebound-effect of a pickleball is less than
others. In fact, a pickleball weighs less
than half of what a tennis ball weighs and
the rebound-effect of the plastic ball is
much less than rubber balls used in other
sports. For the success of the sport, it
is imperative that court owners install
surfacing systems that allow for the ball
bounce heights needed to enjoy the game
Cushioned acrylic courts are formed
at a high level.
by mixing finely ground rubber granules
With more than 75% of the total
with flexible binders and layering these
players being over 55 years of age, the
mixtures onto the asphalt or concrete
need for “softer” hard courts will be the
below. They are then topped with a wide
next positive movement for the sport.
variety of colors and line paint to form
Since its invention in 1968 by California
the surfacing system. Cushion systems
Sports Surfaces, cushioned acrylic courts
can range in thickness from 1/8" to 1/2"
have become the desired surface in
depending on the type and amount of
sports such as tennis, badminton, and
force reduction desired. Independent
basketball. In fact, both the U.S. Open
testing has shown that these systems
and Australian Open play their national
provide a nearly identical ball bounce to
tennis championships on cushioned
courts without the cushioning systems.
acrylic courts.
In fact, a few of the courts used at the
The real advantage of cushioned acrylic
2015 USAPA National Championships in
courts is felt by
Casa Grande,
the players, and
AZ, were
in particular,
cushioned
Line Paint
their lower
acrylic courts.
Finish Color Layer
back and legs
The next time
Textured Color Layers
after playing
you are ready to
Fine Cushion Layers
a few hours.
resurface your
Coarse Cushion Layers
Depending
existing courts,
Filler Coat Layers
on the system
or if you are
Asphalt/Concrete Base
you chose,
looking to build
cushioned
a new facility,
acrylic systems
the inclusion
can reduce the impact forces on a player’s
of cushion should be considered…
body by 5 - 25% ... and having played 3 or
and trust me, your players will thank
4 hours straight with pickleball players
you for investing in their comfort and
throughout the country, that added
longevity. •
comfort is a blessing when you roll out of
bed the next morning!
To learn more about pickleball courts and the use of cushioned acrylic surfaces, please contact Randy Futty at [email protected].
JANUARY 2016 |
MAGAZINE
59