Paddle tennis is a sport that’s extremely popular in Spain, California and now Sydenham, Ont., a small village about 15 minutes north of Kingston.
Compared to tennis, the court is smaller and the net is lower.
Paddle tennis is played with a solid paddle as opposed to a strung racquet, and a depressurized tennis ball is used.
“It’s a great sport and a great way to beat the COVID-19 blues,” said David Lahey, who owns a court at his home on Blakslee Lane, just off Bedford Road.
Lahey says it’s a sport that anyone can play and age is not a barrier.
“It’s like a miniature game of tennis, ping-pong and squash because you can play the ball off the screens,” said Lahey, the founder and president of the Predictive Success Corporation based out of Whitby.
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Upon his retirement, Lahey moved to Sydenham and built the first paddle tennis court in Eastern Ontario.
“This is a wonderful way to get out and be active. I’m promoting activity and this is a great way to do it. Too many people are stuck in board rooms and on their couches during this pandemic. This is a great way to exercise and have some fun with family and friends in a safe environment.
“It’s a wonderful diversion that we’re in with this COVID-19 mess. The rallies can go on for a long period of time.”
Lahey is hoping the sport catches on with the community. In the near future, he and his friends are planning a paddle tennis tournament to raise awareness of the sport and at the same time raise some funds for cancer research.
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