First On-board Pickleball Court Launched

[HostDave]

Pickleball one of the fastest growing sports debuted in June on the Explorer the newest ship in the Regent Seven Seas fleet.

“The installation, by Adventure Golf Services, took place in a Genoa, Italy shipyard and included a combination court for two sports: Pickleball and Paddle Tennis”, according to Scott Lundmark, president of Adventure Golf.

According to Wikipedia, Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Two, three, or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net.

Fitness magazine, several years ago stated, “the US Pickleball Association calls the game a “highly contagious, progressive and incurable disease” and estimates that between 40-50,000 people worldwide are currently infected. “While rarely fatal, the disease has enormous positive impact on the lives of infected individuals and on society as a whole.” …it is quickly becoming the game of choice for active seniors”.

An NBC News report says the number now may be 150,000 players. A guest player from the show says this about the sport, “It gets you exercise, it’s fun, social and competitive.”

The team from Adventure Golf and Regent Seven Seas determined that the regulation court would benefit the ship’s guests and attract players from around the world. The installation also included other AGS products including: paddle tennis court, shuffleboard, an 18-hole putting course, GolfCourt Hitting Bay (golf driving range) and a Bocce court. All products use a variety of patented interlocking panels which are fabricated in Traverse City, Michigan.

Adventure Golf Services is a global leader in the design, fabrication and installation of golf and game oriented products including: miniature golf courses, putting greens, shuffle board, bocce ball, croquet courts and golf swing bays / driving cages and is the leading fabricator and installer for the cruise line industry. Newest product: SplashGolf – water mini golf on a splash pad.