One of Zack Magerman’s favourite parts about pickleball is the friendship and laughter.
“I would strongly recommend trying it out for an hour and seeing if you like it,” said the general manager of Fairgrounds Public Racket Club in Whitby.
Over the past three years, pickleball has risen by about 57 per cent, according to Pickleball Canada. About 1.5 million people are now playing, with those aged 35-54 showing the largest increase.
Magerman describes it as a beginner-friendly sport, suitable for all demographics and quick to feel confident in.
If you have never tried pickleball and wonder if it’s right for you, “it’s as if squash and tennis had a baby, and ping pong was also in the mix,” he says with a laugh.
A pickleball court is about a quarter of the size of a tennis court, which means there is less running and there are beginner-friendly rules that prevent aggressive spikes, such as the two-bounce rule and the non-volley zones.
The University of Maryland conducted an eight–week study with 118 students where 59 of them were enrolled in a pickleball training course.
The recently-published study showed a large increase in “self-efficacy and psychological resilience.”
Magerman says that “especially for students, where you may be crammed in a dorm … this really allows you to get out and have some fun.”
At Durham College, drop-in sports are held almost daily in the gym, including pickleball. It’s held every Thursday at 2 p.m.
Parinozai Fayzullo, a Pre-Health Science student, had a break between classes and came to the gym to check out the activities. Pickleball was offered this day and it intrigued her.
“I saw some people playing and found it interesting, so why not try it?”
Magerman does offer some caution though around injuries, particularly to player’s eyes and ankles.
According to a 2025 study in the Orthopedic Journal of Sport Medicine, pickleball injuries have increased from 2013 to 2022, particularly among older players who fall.
Pickleball courts are also available at Hisports Durham Sportsplex, Rally Sports Club, North Durham Pickleball Club and the Pickleplex Social Club.
Magerman sums up pickleball in one sentence.
“It’s a no hassle, no risk sport and the community, for the most part, is very friendly and accepting.”