Have you tried the fast-growing sport of pickleball? It’s often described as a combination of badminton, ping pong and tennis. Here are five ways to fold the burgeoning sport into your next vacation.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
Perfect your pickleball skills during a stay in this sun-drenched Arizona resort where 17 lighted courts and a full-service pro shop await. Sign up for group or individual instruction with a certified instructor or play your own game with the family. Later, the gang can cool off in the lazy river, frolic on the serpentine water slide or the kids splash pad, or simply soak up the sun. Book some spa time or a round on the championship Wildfire golf course. Ask about special packages, onsite walking trails and bike rentals.
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Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Pair island sunshine with seaside sports and you have the ideal all-inclusive vacation for active families. Pickleball is just one of the many sports your family will enjoy on this holiday.
Your kids can learn to fly through the air with the greatest of ease during the resort’s circus school trapeze class.
They might also return home bragging about walking a tight rope, riding a unicycle and jaw-dropping juggling skills (adults can learn, too). Take part in sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and outdoor fitness classes when not relaxing in the shade of the coconut palms.
Club Med Punta Cana is suitable for families with kids of all ages, and visitors can expect a wide range of supportive programs and amenities for babies as young as 4 months old.
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La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, California
Visit this 45-acre desert oasis for a hefty dose of sunshine and non-stop sporting opportunities. Long a getaway spot for Hollywood hot shots, the Palm Springs area playground is well-known for top-notch golf and tennis. Now, thanks to the addition of eight pickleball courts, you can learn the game or perfect your skills. The resort’s staff of certified pickleball professionals will be on hand to offer lessons, clinics or simply encouragement. If your clan is inclined to indulge in a multi-sport vacation, book tee times for any of their five award-winning golf courses.
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Omni Amelia Island Resort, Amelia Island, Florida
With 3.5 miles of pristine beach and abundant native wildlife, this barrier island located off the coast of northeast Florida has been luring families for decades. Spend time kayaking through the marshlands or splashing in the resort pools, or tee it up for world-class golf. When it’s time to pull out the paddles, you’ll find seven pickleball courts surrounded by a canopy of oak trees. Improve your skills via clinics that nurture beginners as well as advanced players.
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For every headline about pickleball’s miraculous growth you can also find stories about conflicts and infighting among various leagues and governing bodies, as well as between pickleballers and tennis players.
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