Senior Games serve up a new twist

Andrea Gelvin serves up a game of Pickleball at the Fairbanks-North Star Borough Big Dipper Pickleball Courts. Combining aspects of tennis and ping pong, Pickleball is gaining popularity nationwide because it provides challenging, fast-moving action that can be enjoyed at many different fitness levels. For the first time, Pickleball will be offered as an event at this year’s Alaska International Senior Games, held August 9-18 in Fairbanks. This is the AISG’s eleventh year and organizers are expecting it to continue growing, attracting participants from all around Alaska and out of state. Events range from demanding sports like triathlon and racquetball to horseshoes and disc golf. Registration ends July 31 but that doesn’t mean latecomers can’t join the fun: volunteers are needed with just about every aspect of the events, from keeping time to serving refreshments and running errands. Or you can just join the crowds watching and cheer people on.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.alaskaisg.org. Or call 978-2388.