Confessions from the Dark Side

On Bainbridge Island, a tennis purist peers into the soul of pickleball.

A feature by Kerrie Houston Reightley

For die-hard pickleball fans, you may already know that Bainbridge Island, Washington, is the “birthplace” of pickleball. Bainbridge Island is a picturesque bedroom community of Seattle, WA, a 35-minute ferry ride away. It’s nestled between the Olympic mountain range to the west, the Cascade mountain range to the east, Mt. Rainier to the south, and Mt. Baker to the north.

Pickleball is celebrating its 60th Anniversary, and was invented on Bainbridge Island, in 1965, by then Washington State Representative Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The original court has become a tourist destination. In 2019, Bainbridge Island began hosting an annual “Founders Tournament,” with play taking place at local tennis courts. By 2020, an outdoor “Founders Courts” complex opened, with six, pristine, outdoor courts. In 2022, then Governor Jay Inslee, declared pickleball the official sport of Washington state. This year’s tournament will be held August 13 – August 17, with up to 400 competitors, coming from as far away as Hawaii.

With all the excitement around the “fasting-growing sport” in the U.S., there is another side.

Just like players all over the world, there are those who just can’t get enough of pickleball! But, on the other end of the spectrum—are tennis players of the recreational and competitive United States Tennis Association, U.S.T.A, variety, like me—who have, dare I say?, had enough of pickleball players, claiming prime real estate as their own, and turning already established indoor and outdoor Pacific Northwest tennis courts, into pickleball courts.

But pickleball fans, don’t stop reading, yet.

To save the day, though, indoor pickleball facilities, complete with bars and restaurants, are popping up all over Seattle. And just 12 miles away from Bainbridge, is the new Poulsbo Pickleball Kingdom, PPK.

Having a nearby indoor pickleball facility is music to Bainbridge Island tennis players’ ears. Bainbridge Island Recreational Center, formerly a private tennis club, recently painted permanent pickleball lines on one of the four indoor tennis courts, fueling the fire of tennis players here, vowing to “NEVER cross over to the ‘dark side’ [of pickleball],” that we somewhat affectionately refer to, as “The cult.”

So, when I was invited as a guest, to a PPK soft opening, I felt like a modern-day Mata Hari, peering into the inner sanctum of pickleball.

Surprisingly, I was impressed. When I entered PPK, I was taken aback by the Hollywood-esque lighting, showcasing 12, luxurious, climate controlled, a Blue Angels shade of dark-blue courts, with light, sky-blue “kitchens.” And a hand shake and a hug, by the decidedly TV-attractive staff. I felt genuinely welcomed, like I was in an episode of “The Love Boat” or “Fantasy Island.” Hmm. Can’t say I’ve ever been greeted that way at a tennis club.

Admittedly, I now have pickleball envy, about the state-of-the-art pickleball technology. Huge screens hung on every court, for scorekeeping, and an entertaining “Instant Replay” feature. The crown jewel, somewhat hidden on a back wall, is by PIQLZ, an “interactive pickleball wall experience for training, competing, and having fun.”

My main take away? Tennis is about hiding your feelings; pickleball is about literally laughing out loud, and you can even cry if you want to.

So, will I crossover to the dark side, and give up my U.S.T.A. rating that has fluctuated between 4.0 and 4.5 for decades, and apply for a Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (D.U.P.R.), and become a 2.5-rated pickleball player? And will I give up my leopard-print Dona Jo “Flirty” tennis skirts, and hot-pink Lucky in Love racer-back tops, for long-sleeved shirts, leggings, and a baseball cap? I don’t know.

What I do know, is that I’ve witnessed the dark side. And I liked it.

KERRIE HOUSTON REIGHTLEY

Kerrie Houston Reightley is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared nationally/internationally in The New York Times; Huffington Post; Oprah.com; The Guardian; and A.A.R.P. magazine. Regionally, she’s written for Seattle and Seattle Met magazines. She is a regular contributor to PNW Bainbridge magazine. Her work can be viewed at: www.Kerriehoustonreightley.com

TANNER REIGHTLEY

Tanner Reightley is a photojournalist, living on Bainbridge Island, WA. His work has appeared in PNW Bainbridge magazine. He’s currently pursuing a B.A. in Fine Arts, with an emphasis in photography, at Western Washington University.

NOTE: Tanner took the photos of the Founder’s Courts on Bainbridge Island.

KELVIN HUGHES

Starting in 1980 with Silver Halide Photography, Kelvin moved with the times and the advances of technology to branch out first into video production then computer animation followed by web design and finally back to his first love ... the still image… only this time harnessing the full power of the digital revolution to produce truly stunning imagery for his clients.

Note: Kelvin took the photos of and from Bainbridge ferry.

Kelvin Hughes Productions Cell: 360.265.6796