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Sequim Picklers Update — Dec. 10, 2022
- Dec 30, 2022
- 6 min read
President’s Report by Arvo Johnson
On behalf of the Board, I’d like to say, “Thank You” to all four-hundred-and-five (405) (as of this writing) members of Sequim Picklers for another great year of pickleball on the Olympic Peninsula. Like every family, we have our ups and downs, but I love the passion each of you brings to the game and the giving spirit you display on the courts and to the club.
Our club depends on volunteers, and we have a great group who show up regularly to wash down and treat the courts, check net height, pick up litter on the highways, organize the equipment shed, plan court activities, teach those just discovering the sport, and run our tournaments.
Thank you to the Sequim Picklers Board of Directors — both our veteran members and new additions — for donating so much of your time to work on strategy, to set goals and objectives, and to oversee programs and court activities.
We are heading into an exciting new year for the Club. The Pickleball Court Operations Committee, under the leadership of (David) Goose and ably assisted by Cris Gonzalez, has put together an ambitious agenda for 2023 that includes instructional videos, a live court webcam on the website, work with the City on court repairs, and new ideas for organized activities. Tournament planning for the New Year is already underway. The Sequim Fling Tournament is set for June 23-25, 2023, and our popular Blue Hole Bash tournament for September 29-October 1, 2023. More tournaments are in the planning stages, including the Second Annual Bainbridge-Sequim Pickleball Cup. I’d like to add a personal note. I first served as president of Sequim Picklers from 2016-2019 during the planning and building phases of the Carrie Blake Courts. When the Club President for 2021 suddenly had to step down in December of that year, I agreed to serve in the role through July 2022. When no one stepped forward to run for Club President in last June’s election, I agreed to stay on through July 2023. Why have I taken on this challenging role three times? For only one reason: I believe in this club, its mission, and its members, who are some of the best people I’ve ever worked or played with. With more than 400 members in Sequim Picklers, I’m confident that competent leaders will step forward to fill my court shoes during the election this coming June. When I hand over my gavel to a new President on August 1, 2023, it will be with gratitude (and relief!) for the opportunity to serve such a great group of people who share my passion for this crazy game. Wishing you Happy Holidays and a healthy New Year.
~Arvo
On the Courts
by ‘Goose,’ Director of Court Operations
Hello Sequim Picklers! This is my first newsletter as Director of Court Operations. I am pleased and excited to be in this position and I believe this coming year will be fantastic. I have a very diverse Pickleball Court Operations Committee (PCOC) (featured below), and I believe we will have play and learning options to offer all members. * A new and improved court webcam is being worked on and, hopefully, will be available on our Club website (sequimpicklers.net) before too long. * We are in the process of making a video on how to use the Lobster Ball Machine, which should also be on our website soon. * When it’s cold and wet outside, The Boys & Girls Club of Sequim invites you to come inside and play, Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. This is a members-only activity (remember to wear your Picklers name tag!). Admission is only $3 per person for members and $6 for out-of-town guests of members. NOTE: There will be NO indoor play at the Boys & Girls Club on Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day, but there WILL be indoor play as usual on Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve Day, from 9 a.m. to noon. In the January newsletter, I will have more information on what we have planned for the coming year. Have fun. Play safe.
~Goose
Meet the 2022/2023 Pickleball Court Operations Committee (PCOC)
(David) ‘Goose, Director of Court Operations |  Cris Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Court Operations |  Libby Hartman |  Phil Milliman |
 Gayle Powers |  Bill Schiffman |  Ken Wahl |  Rob Wright |
USED BUT USABLE PADDLES ARE NEEDED FOR THE RETURN OF BEGINNERS’ CLASSES ON SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2023. TO DONATE A USED BUT USABLE PADDLE, PLEASE CONTACT (DAVID) GOOSE OR CRIS GONZALEZ AT SEQUIMPICKLERS@GMAIL.COM
Pickleball RULES!
Question: Do both feet have to be on the ground when serving?
Answer: At the moment the ball makes contact with the paddle, both feet must be on the ground (Rule 4.A.4.a.).
Rules 4.A.4.b. and 4.A.4.c. also specify that neither foot may touch the court either on or inside the baseline, and neither foot may touch outside the imaginary extensions of the side- and centerlines.
—Have a question about something that happened on the court? Send it to me at Kathryn (“K.T.”) Thomas, Registered Trainer of Referees
SAVE THE DATE — Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023
That’s when you’re invited to the Sequim Picklers’ All-Members Meeting. This is one meeting you WON’T want to miss!
On January 13, 2023, the Sequim Picklers Board of Directors will hold a Strategic Planning Session for Board members only.
Members-only Links (password-protected)
DOC TALK: Leg Strength
The following article appeared in a new online publication called InPickleball. Thank you to Club Treasurer Katinka Nanna for sharing it with us.
Orthopedic surgeon Gary A. Pattee, M.D., explains why leg strength is so important to your game.
Having a strong core and upper body is essential for competing in pickleball, but your legs are what give you the mobility to reach the ball. Exercises that focus on balanced lower-body strength help improve your ability to return more shots and reduce the risk of serious injuries.
Several muscle groups work together to propel the body and make the rapid side-to-side movements needed to lunge and reach for the ball. The gluteals (gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus) are large muscles that, along with the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus), help stabilize the pelvis and contribute to forward acceleration. Because these muscles are dense and powerful, they exert a large amount of force over a short period of time, resulting in “explosive” movements. Besides enhancing athletic performance, strong glutes and hamstrings can improve posture and help relieve or avoid lower back pain. The quadriceps and calf muscles work in conjunction with the glutes and hamstrings to provide the power to push off with the foot and quickly change direction.
Exercises to strengthen these muscle groups can be incorporated into a regular fitness routine. In addition, because mobility of the hips, knees, and ankles is also important, doing some careful stretching exercises will help improve joint and muscle flexibility.
GARY A. PATTEE, M.D. is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and a motorcycle-racing enthusiast.
Pick up your toys. If you’re the last Sequim Pickler to leave the courts, please put away all balls and umbrellas, and toss any abandoned items (water bottles, sweatshirts, paddles, sunglasses, and the like) in the Lost & Found box in the shed. Finally, lock the shed and give yourself a Gold Star for a job well done.
Wear your badge. We always hear from other pickleball players how cool looking the Sequim Picklers’ name tags are. Why not keep yours in your pickleball bag? Then, when you see other members wearing their cool Picklers name tags, you can dig yours out and snap it on.
Whitelisting. If you’re tired of having to search your Spam, Junk, and Trash mailboxes for Sequim Picklers’ Updates and other club communications, add the email address sequimpicklers@gmail.com to your Contacts list. You’ll find step-by-step instructions here.
Support Sequim Picklers when you sign up for AmazonSmile. Every time you buy eligible smile.amazon.com products, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price to our Club. So far this year, AmazonSmile has donated $204.12 to Sequim Picklers. Definitely a winning game!
Sequim Picklers’ Board Meeting Reminder
Sequim Picklers Board of Directors Meeting Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, 12-2 p.m.
To access the full agenda for this meeting, select this LINK
NOW TWO WAYS TO ATTEND:
1) Join by Zoom* by selecting this LINK Meeting ID: 845 7682 0524 *For directions on how to use Zoom, CLICK HERE
OR
2) Attend in person at KSQM-FM Studios Community Room, 609 West Washington Street
Key Meeting Topics: * Financial Update * Membership Update * Communications Update * Court Activities Report — New Director of Court Operations (DOCO), Ass’t DOCO — Proposed amendment to “Medal” memberships (Bronze, Silver, Gold) — Indoor/Outdoor pickleball performance and replacement
All Sequim Picklers welcome to attend or “tune in”
