STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- You could say their decision to compete in the pickleball segment of the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics was a spontaneous one for Lisa Lubarsky and Janice Salerno.
The first time they ever played the game was Monday, just 24 hours before the annual competition got under way at the Greenbelt Recreation Center in Sea View. They brought along paddles purchased on Amazon and had studied the rules on YouTube.
Though amateurs, the pair arrived at the contest in top physical form. Lubarsky is a nutritionist for the Center for Life Long Development at the Bernikow Jewish Community Center and Salerno is the program's fitness manager.
Wendie Lucci concentrates during a warmup for the pickleball games. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)
Watching the other 18 well-practiced pickleball competitors warm up, they agreed not to count on a gold medal this time around and instead hope for a little beginner's luck.
"But next year, they better watch out!" laughed the colleagues, who ended up with a silver medal in their age group of 50 to 54.
It was a busy third day for the Senior Olympics, with additional contests in cornhole, croquet, checkers, chess and basketball shoot. The games continue through Friday when closing ceremonies will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the JCC, 1466 Manor Rd.
The Staten Island Senior Olympics is named for Beatrice Victor, who was motivated after a heart attack in 1987 to encourage her neighbors age 50 and older to get active and stay active.
Croquet players Marie Usuriello of Richmond, Pat Stillitano of Eltingville and Margaret Ward of Oakwood take a break on the field. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)
More than 500 borough participants this year responded to the event's motto, "Use it or lose it."
PICKLE WHAT?
Still under the radar in some circles, the sport with the funny name has been gaining popularity across the country.
Legend has it that pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, by three dads who wanted to keep their kids busy during the summer.
The name came about because one dad's dog, named Pickles, often chased the ball and ran off with it.
Peggy Gabrielline of Sunnyside and Ed Leavy of Eltingville are ready to win in the pickleball competition at the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)
The game is a mix of ping pong, badminton and tennis, explained Bill Miller of Westerleigh, who co-chaired the Senior Olympics pickleball competition with Sue Dietrich.
It's a little easier than tennis, he explained, because the court is smaller at 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.
"It's a sport for all ages," Miller added. "And it's coming this way" to more facilities in the metro area.
CORNHOLE AND CROQUET
Tom Joyce and Toni Cavalenes-Joyce were on hand earlier in the day for the Senior Olympics cornhole competition, which drew more than 50 contestants. The West Brighton couple has been playing the game in their backyard for three years.
Turns out they're not the only ones in the neighborhood who enjoy it. They often hear the characteristic "thump" and "woosh" of bean bags hitting wooden platforms coming from nearby yards, they said.
After cornhole, it was time for croquet.
Bob Kurpiel concentrates during his turn on the croquet field. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)
With six decades of experience under his belt, Bob Kurpiel is a king on the croquet court.
"When I was 8 years old, my dad bought me a croquet set from Davega's" in Bay Ridge he recalled, referring to the former sporting goods store.
He perfected his croquet skills in Prospect Park and when he finally beat his father in the sport, he knew he had mastered a winning technique, he reminisced.
The cornhole committee gathers for a group photo. From left are Tim Geary, Mary Ann Stallone, Diane Schaming and Sue Geary. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)
As croquet wrapped up, Pat Stillitano was in a rush to get over to the YMCA in West Brighton for the basketball shoot competition. She was also registered for bowling, pool, darts, horseshoes and shuffleboard.
"I didn't get a gold yet," she said, "but there are a lot of competitions left."
For a complete schedule, visit beatricevictorseniorolympics.com.