OBSERVER Photos by Damian Sebouhian Pickleball players in action at Russell Joy Park in Fredonia where there are four inked courts. Nets are put up for play four times a week at the park: Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to close and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

The fastest growing sport in the world just so happens to be arguably the most egalitarian. Pickleball, the game with the silly name, has nothing to do with pickles, but everything to do with fun, exercise and inclusivity.

Described as a hybrid of ping pong and tennis, the sport came to the Dunkirk/Fredonia area almost four years ago and it has since taken off like wildfire. Michael Ferguson, who started playing himself at that time, saw the green stripe on the tennis court (as it were) and organized a club called the Northern Chautauqua Pickleball, LLC. He is currently president of the organization, which includes eight board members and has grown from a few paying members to more than 115.

“We started membership mid last year,” Ferguson said. “So, less than a year, that’s a lot of members.

It costs $20 to join for one year. Non-members are welcome to play for free outdoors, or indoors for a $4 fee.

“It’s a sport that just about anyone can learn to play fairly quickly and yet you can also climb up the ranks if you want to,” Ferguson said. “It’s easy to pick up and it’s great exercise. You can play it as competitively or recreationally as you want.”

Go to Russell Joy park on a Tuesday or Thursday evening or a Saturday morning and you’ll see people of all ages swinging their paddles at a brightly colored whiffle ball.

Ferguson said their youngest player is 8 years old and the oldest players are in their 80’s.

“We’ve got people who have never played an athletic event in their lives who have picked it up and been competitive,” said Ferguson. “I’m a former competitive racquetball player.”

Ferguson said that the sport has helped him stay active, something that is vital given his history of heart issues.

“Playing pickleball helps me,” he said. “It allows me to get the heart rate up and be competitive. We also have three cancer survivors who are playing the game for exercise. The nice part of it is if you’ve never touched a paddle before or if you’ve never played any sport at all, it’s a great way to get involved in sports.”

Some people have the misconception that pickleball is just for old retirees who vacation in Florida. While it’s true the sport first caught fire in places such as Florida and Arizona within retirement communities and senior centers, more and more younger people have joined in the fun.

Nick Lyman thought the sport was just for old people before he was asked by his dad to come check it out.

“Now I play (pickleball) five or six days a week.”

The nationally ranked 37-year-old has a background in hockey of all sports, but has become completely addicted to pickleball.

“I play in Fredonia three days a week,” said Lyman. “West Seneca two days a week, then I try to make it down to Clarence with some high-level players.”

Although Lyman has played in many tournaments and is quite competitive, he said he enjoys going to the less-competitive non-tournament settings organized at places like Russell Joy Park.

“I come here to keep on my game and practice,” he said. “Everyone is great out here. I’ve never had a bad conversation. Everyone is friendly. It’s a good group of people.”

As an ambassador for the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), Ferguson, along with Gary Mrowka, are able to provide some equipment to communities wishing to set up courts.

“Through the USAPA … we can get two nets per community donated to us,” said Ferguson. It’s a reimbursement program. Once the courts in Dunkirk are built, NCP will donate a set of nets and I also have some equipment that’s been donated to our club from a company called Amazin’ Aces. We hope to see more courts in the community in the near future.”

For those wishing to learn how to play the sport without jumping into it blind, there are beginner’s courses offered by Ed Kirchmeyer at the Boys and Girls Club in Dunkirk on Tuesday evenings.

For open play pickleball, show up with your paddle to Russel Joy Park in Fredonia on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to close and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Members can sign up for tournament play on Wednesdays at the park.

The courts at Wright Park in Dunkirk should be completed and ready for play sometime in July.

For people like Nick Lyman, the reason to play pickleball comes down to one compelling phrase.: “You’re hitting the ball and having a ball. Come out and try it.”

For more information, find NCP’s Facebook page, Northern Chautauqua Pickleball, LLC.

To start learning to play pickleball, call Ed Kirchmeyer at 432-6144.

To join NCP and sign up for tournaments, call Michael Ferguson at 480-3729.