SPRING LAKE, Mich. (WZZM) Spring Lake High School students met their match Friday morning. a group of lakeshore senior citizens visited the school to go head-to-head in the growing sport of pickleball.

“It’s a great thing,” says 73-year old Jimmy O’Hearn. “The students love it. Seniors love it. Grandparents are telling me that now for the first time they have a game they can play with their grandkids.”

The Spring Lake High School visit was one of several the senior pickleballers are making. They have stops at Mona Shores and Grand Haven planned in the next two weeks. Pickleball is played on a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches at its center with a perforated plastic ball and paddles. “The courts are about half the size of tennis courts,” says O’Hearn. “(The sport’s inventor) had a dog named Pickles. He began throwing a ball out and Pickles would go get the ball and so now we have what we call Pickleball.”

In spite of aches and pain and various illnesses, the special guests appearing in this film share with us that they still manage to incorporate regular exercise in their daily lives. The following is some of what they have overcome: six have diabetes, two have arthritis, three are blind, three are overweight, and one 93 year old has had three hip replacements. Seeing and hearing  these guests and their determination, is in part what motivates me to do whatever I can in my exercise program…it’s what drives me. All exercise should be approached with caution…select exercises that you feel comfortable with…watch the video carefully for the technique being applied and the purpose of a certain exercise routine. Always consult your health specialist before beginning a new exercise routine.

We do what we can, no matter what level we are at or what our situation is – Jimmy O

I can’t guarantee that exercise and fitness will add years to your life… but I can guarantee you will add life to your years. – Jimmy O