Your Weekly Portland Club Update: October 23, 2023
Dear Member,
Monthly Mentions
This week, I decided to partner up with my pal, TK, our head of Athletics, and talk about the sport of the year, pickleball! If you haven’t joined in the fun yet, now is the time.
A Little History – Flashback to 1965, when a group of friends in Washington State returned home from a round of golf to, you guessed it, their children bored at home. Lucky for us, those bored kids helped spark the creation of Pickleball–first through a combination of misfit equipment (a lowered badminton net, a perforated plastic ball, table tennis paddles) and a driveway. By the early 1970’s, pickleball was becoming a fully formed sport, with a corporation created to protect its integrity. Soon to follow would be organized tournaments, and with competitive play came the first official rulebook in 1984, created by the US Amateur Pickleball Association. In 2005, the USA Pickleball Association was established, and the rest is history. You’ll hear various opinions on whether the sport was named after the creator’s dog, Pickles, or the dog after the sport, but however it came to be, we’re thankful to have it as part of our racquet sports culture.
Is Pickleball for Me? – The best part, no previous racquet sports experience is needed, just a willingness to have fun! If you’ve ever played ping pong, you’ll find pickleball to have a very similar feel, using a paddle that’s slightly larger than ping pong but far smaller than tennis. This smaller paddle makes it easier to control, which leads to consistent contact with the ball much more quickly as you learn. Rallying (successfully hitting the ball back and forth over the net) comes naturally, and within minutes, you’re chasing the ball around the court, having a blast!
What do I need to play? – You don’t need much. Wear comfortable clothing and non-marking athletic shoes. We have all the rest of the gear you’ll need at the Club. If you would like your own paddles, check out recesspickleball.com.
Courts Galore – Did you know we have over 100 courts across the Clubs, and growing!? We are working hard to keep up with the growing demand.
A Party to Remember – As you start to think about holiday parties (personal or corporate), think about hosting a pickleball party. They’re all the rage! Contact your local club and they will get you all the information you need.
A Little T.L.C.
Are pickles good for you? You know I had to tie them into the subject somehow. Pickles are actually great for you! They’re great sources of both vitamin K and vitamin A, two essential antioxidants that are found in many fruits and veggies. These natural antioxidants fight free radicals, which are chemicals in the body that can cause cancer and heart disease.
Now, not all pickles are fermented, but the fermented kind have the most health benefits. Fermentation creates good bacteria (you may have heard of probiotics) that support a healthy digestive system and boosts the immune system. Look for fermented pickles in the refrigerator section of the store. Another hint, look for “live cultures” on the label. Now, go grab a spear (and a paddle)!
Ponder This
“Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness”.
~ Chuang-Tzu
In health,
Tracy L Cioffi
Chief Marketing Officer
The Bay Club Company
Bird’s Eye View
Complimentary Fitness Assessment
Offer ends October 31
Kickstart your fitness journey with an Inbody composition assessment and fitness consultation. Ready for an accurate, quick, and non-invasive body composition analysis? Email fitness@bayclubs.com.
Fall Mossa Launch
Join us throughout the week for the launch of this quarter’s new releases, including GroupACTIVE, GroupPOWER, and GroupBLAST! Check Connect for available times and to enroll.
Adult Craft Wednesday: Paint & Pinot
Wednesday, October 25 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Celebrate fall with us in the restaurant! Sip on a beverage while you try your hand at a beautiful painting. Sign up using this link.
Pickleball Meet & Greet
Thursday, October 26 | 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
We are excited to introduce Adam Hallstone as our new pickleball lead! Join us in the restaurant for a fun meet and greet and to mingle with fellow players. Interested in learning more but not able to attend? Email Adam.Hallstone@bayclubs.com.
Indoor Pool Temporary Closed
Friday, October 27 | 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
The Indoor Pool will be temporarily closed for our Wild for Wibit Event.
Wild for Wibit
Friday, October 27 | 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Check out the inflatable obstacle course in our Indoor Pool. Can your kiddos make it through? Come find out! Kids must pass the swim safety test to participate.
Spooky Fun Friday
Friday, October 27 | 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Our Family Fun Friday night is being taken over by Halloween! Head on up in your best costume for some spooky fun, complete with face painting, pumpkin painting, and a super-spooky buffet!
Weekend Brunch
Saturday & Sundays | 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Head on up to the restaurant for our weekend brunch and enjoy a hard-earned breakfast with the family after your morning workout!
GroupGROOVE Haunt & Heart Dance Party
Monday, October 30 | 10:30 am-11:20 am
Come in your costume for our Haunt & Heart Dance Party! Donations accepted after class for the American Heart Association. We’ll see you there!
Halloween Balloon Pop
Tuesday, October 31 | 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Stop by The Shop for a special Halloween Balloon Pop promotion! You won’t want to miss this.
Fall Pickleball Tournament
Saturday, November 11 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm
We will be having our first ever Pickleball Tournament! Interested in being a part of the tournament? Sign up using this link. Draft will be announced during the Meet & Greet on October 26, so please sign up prior!
In health,
Blair Hicks
Senior Vice President
Bay Club Portland