What started on the pickleball court grew into friendships and social connections for a group of retired women in Fairhaven recently.
Lynne A. Charbonneau and 11 of her female friends got to know each other while playing pickleball and found their interest in the sport led to get-togethers for lunches, conversations, card games, and more.
It all started with a pickleball lesson at SouthCoast Pickleball in Fairhaven.
“We came to learn how to play pickleball and then from that lesson we introduced people to our friends and then somebody moved here who wasn’t familiar with the area. We were just so lucky. We all connected,” said Charbonneau.
In their 60s and 70s, the women collectively rent a pickleball court for two hours twice a week in the winter, using the time to play, socialize and support each other.
“We all play and it’s like a match made in heaven,” said Charbonneau. “As long as we have five to six women, we have the court.”
The relationships are important to her, Charbonneau said, and helped her as she was adjusting to retired life.
“I needed another connection,” she said. “This was a nice socialization and connection and it helped me a lot.”
That’s not unusual, according to Adam Rogers, co-founder of SouthCoast Pickleball, who attributes the club’s busy environment to the number of retirees in the region and their desire to be active and connect with others.
The club sees its heaviest traffic from this age group who often come for the three-hour morning open play sessions held at different skill levels. Most of these people are retirees, Rogers said.
“If you grew up in this area, you might have been a teenager saying there’s nothing to do around here. I can’t wait to get out of here. And inevitably those same people are the ones that move back to the South Coast.
They build families here and they retire here, because you’ve got the coastline, you’ve got all these beautiful residential areas… It’s a nice place
to live,” he said.
Pickleball is a fast-paced paddle game where four players hit a hollow plastic ball back and forth over a net. Somewhat similar to tennis, it is played on a smaller court with a lighter ball and usually four players. It can be played competitively or at a more relaxed pace.
It has become the fastest growing sport in the U.S., holding the title for the past four years, according to the 2025 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Participation Report. In 2024, SFIA said 19.8 million Americans participated in pickleball, a 45.8% increase over 2023 numbers and more than 300% higher than three years ago.
Locally, that boom has come from those in the Boomer generation.
On a typical Thursday morning in March, the courts at SouthCoast Pickleball reflect this description with a nearly full house of adults, about 85% of whom are over the age of 60, according to Rogers’ estimate. For open play, they come in on their own, sign up for a court on a designated whiteboard and, once four names are listed, head out to the court to play the game.
It’s an easy way to get to know people and become better at the sport.
Rogers has heard other clubs lament slow traffic in the morning with their busiest times coming when the workday ends and young professionals come in to play. Not so in the South Coast.
“Part of that is that retirement age community,” he said. “These are people that want to get out of the house. They want to be active in the morning and they want to have the remainder of the day to do whatever it is that they want.”
In retirement, he said, “You have to put yourself out there to make new friends. You have to try new activities. You have to find ways to fulfill your day and create relationships that were naturally built in because you either didn’t have to do it because you didn’t have time, or because your work facilitated those things.”
Pickleball is a good way to do that because it has an easy learning curve, particularly for those who are interested in the social aspects of the game.
For someone looking to get started with pickleball, Rogers suggests taking some form of instruction.
“Having a good understanding of the rules, of the spacing and of the basic shots in the game of pickleball will give you enough of a launching point that you can get into it and pursue it as little or as far as you like to,” he said.
“When we do events like the upcoming event with Coastline, we usually have an instructor on site,” he continued. “They can come out and somebody that’s not sure whether they want to do it or not, well hey, get on the court and hit a few and see what it’s like. See how you feel. Let them talk to you and watch for a little while.”
Lessons can also help players be aware of potential injuries in the game.
Kathy Clark, founder of Moxie Mobility, wants to see even more seniors playing pickleball but cautions older adults to be smart about how they play.
“People are walking on to pick up pickleball never having played a sport before or without being in shape for it,” she said. “It is a sport that you can do that, but you have to prepare yourself.”
Clark is a physical therapist, senior fitness instructor, and certified fall prevention specialist who works with people to improve their balance and mobility. There have been an increasing number of injuries in pickleball, she said, nearly 90% of which have happened to older adults.
As humans, we sometimes forget that we haven’t played sports in a while, Clark said, or we are weekend warriors who do little all week and then go out and play hard on weekends.
Instead, Clark recommends that people who haven’t played pickleball consult their doctor before beginning any sports activity, make sure to use the appropriate gear and to stay
hydrated while playing. Stretching and warming up is also important in preventing injuries and improving your game, she said.
Like Rogers, Clark also recommends learning the basics of the game and pacing yourself when starting out. Most importantly, she said, have fun.
Fun is how Charbonneau and her group approach the game.
“That’s where our girls keep it — having fun and not being out here to kill it. And you support each other,” Charbonneau said. “I can’t recommend it more. I just love pickle ball…
These are beautiful people and it’s nice meeting them here.”
Coastline will hold a pickleball event at SouthCoast Pickleball from 5-9 p.m. on April 15. People are welcome to play or watch and enjoy light foods with a cash beer and wine bar. An instructor will be on site to help new players. Tickets are $30 to play and $10 to watch from the sidelines. Visit www.coastlinenb.org/event/paddle-play-night/ to purchase your tickets.
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