David Douglas
Sun Lakes Pickleball Club at Cottonwood (SLPCC), one of the largest clubs in Sun Lakes with 467 members this past year, continues to thrive in the midst of the record-breaking summer heat that our Valley is known for this time of year. Like all of Sun Lakes, SLPCC experiences the same membership exodus when the temperatures reach the century mark. However, SLPCC has a sizable remnant of summer residents who are not frightened by what they call “a little heat.”
Last year, this remnant of hardy and hearty souls decided they needed a name worthy of their sizzling seasonal achievement, playing pickleball in the heart of Arizona’s soaring temperatures. And that is how the summer SLPCC survivors adopted the name Firebirds.
The Firebirds will be the first to boast that they actually play their best pickleball games during the summer heat. One of the players, Mr. Ike, claims he gets another 25 mph on his returns. Although unsubstantiated with a speed gun, he has destroyed two nets and five opponent paddles attempting to block or return his mighty forehand this past month.
Generally, during the cooler seasons, Mr. Ike’s ferocious returns obliterate the pickleball, rather than the ball harming what it hits. To understand why, we must turn to SLPCC’s Mr. Science, beloved member Mr. Ken B., affectionately called the “Perfessor.”
Pulling a slide rule out of his equipment bag for emphasis, the Perfessor explains that it’s all about the heat’s effect on the pickleball whether the ball explodes on contact with Mr. Ike’s paddle or whether it becomes a lethal projectile able to inflict damage on what it hits. Very hot weather will cause the pickleball to be more pliable and capable of responding positively to a banger like Mr. Ike. Also, the very hot, ambient temperature contributes to less air resistance, which means Mr. Ike’s massive return is not slowed down. It is suggested, especially during the hot summer months, that SLPCC members wishing to compete against Mr. Ike should wear plenty of protective gear (imagine a hockey goalie). The Perfessor continues to explain how the very hot, ambient temperature’s loss of air resistance means that those players relying on putting spin on their returns will be much less successful with their style of game.
Responding quickly to the Perfessor’s last comment regarding diminished ability to put spin on returns in very hot weather, Mr. Marty immediately glued 60 grit sandpaper to both sides of his pickleball paddle.