In schools across the United States, many students appreciate physical education for the relief it provides during the school day. Carlsbad High School has introduced a new PE class into its course catalog, but student support is needed to get it started next year.
Physical education teacher Kristin Tomkinson is the person behind the push for pickleball PE to be an offered course at CHS. Pickleball has gained rapid popularity in the past couple of years, which is one of Tomkinson’s reasons for starting the new PE class.
“We introduce new PE classes based on student interest,” Tomkinson said. “So you know what kids would want to take and would just have fun doing. And there’s been a big push for pickleball the past couple of years with the pickleball club, and students have really enjoyed it when we play in PE.”
With pickleball PE being such a new idea, come new demands, specifically resources and a place to play. Tomkinson already has a plan as to where the PE will take place and how the class can get the support it needs from the school.
“Luckily for us, the Carlsbad Pickleball Club has volunteered to let us use their facility,” Tomkinson said. “It’s really nice that they’re allowing us to use their facilities, however there has been talk about painting pickleball lines on the blacktop area so that we could have actual courts on campus.”
Sophomore Miles Noda is an avid pickleball, tennis, badminton, and ping pong enthusiast. But above all other sports, he feels most strongly about pickleball and the impact it could have on CHS students.
“It’s really just an amazing sport,” Noda said. “It’s perfect for learning hand-eye coordination, and being able to connect yourself with your hand and your paddle. I feel like simple skills like that are often overlooked by many people, especially athletes who do different sports.”
Tomkinson feels similarly about the benefits of pickleball on the youth, specifically, she hopes that pickleball will have a lasting impact on students for the rest of their lives. Consistent fitness is a part of her life that she wants to share with everyone.
“A big goal is just that lifetime fitness and having activities that people can do later on in life and that they enjoy doing and don’t end up dreading working out,” Tomkinson said. “I just feel like pickleball is one of those sports that people can play for a long time.”
Noda feels that pickleball goes just beyond the fitness benefits that it provides. He sees it as a way to form connections and friendships with other people who enjoy the sport just as much as he does.
“You know, whenever I go out and play, it’s always a good time,” Noda said. “Always have some fun, especially if you play with friends or meet new people who play. Just get some Brisk Iced Tea, hit the courts and you know, have a good time.”
Tomkinson can’t stress the importance of showing interest in pickleball PE if it’s something that seems intriguing to any student. Like all things on campus, student support is the driving factor in the success of this program.
“The best thing an interested student can do to support pickleball PE is to sign up because we need a certain number of kids selecting the class,” Tomkinson said. “Hopefully it’ll become an official PE, and we’ll have lots of fun with it.”
