MANKATO — When Sally Shermock arrives at the Mankato Family YMCA, she heads straight for the pickleball courts in the facility’s blue gym. Friday will be no different.
That’s when her fellow YMCA member Brian Evers has scheduled the Fa La La La Pickleball Social, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. He’s organized a handful of such events at the YMCA.
Evers draws about 30 to 40 players for the pickleball socials. The gatherings often revolve around holidays and include festive food and decorations and, of course, names — Pickleboo for Halloween and Peep-leball for Easter.
Ashley Dahlman, membership director at the YMCA, appreciates Evers’ organizing efforts. She sees a drastic increase in YMCA pickleball players during the winter months.
“Oh gosh, it’s fabulously popular,” she said. “Honestly it’s a big population. They come in during the winter time because in the summer they utilize the Tourtellotte Park courts. I would say our population goes up by a couple of hundred when they come indoors.”
Shermock of Mankato has been playing the sport for about four years. She and her husband Richard play every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at the Y. And they always attend Evers’ pickleball socials at the YMCA.
“They’re just a great time,” Shermock said. “It’s really fun.”
The sport draws players of all ages and abilities, she said. She considers herself an intermediate player.
“Sometimes when kids are on vacation … the (YMCA) members will bring their grandkids and they’ll play too,” Shermock said. “That’s always fun.
“I just think it’s a great sport. I’m retired and my husband is retired. So we picked it up after we retired and it’s been a great sport to get out there, be competitive, get exercise and have fun.”
Evers said pickleball has definitely gained in popularity during recent years.
“It is a good activity,” he said. “It’s also social and it’s a good way to get exercise and meet people. The pickleball socials are a good way to become better at the sport.”
He also favors pickleball because “It’s easy to play. People don’t judge. It’s very welcoming.”
The Friday morning Fa La La La Pickleball Social is free, but is only open to Mankato Family YMCA members. No registration is necessary.