Debbie Cormier was originally exposed to beach tennis by some Villages friends.
They informed her about the sport, and she went along one day around seven years ago.
“I came and tried it with them, and I never left, and they never came back,” said the Village of Gilchrist resident.
Cormier is currently a member of the SeaBreeze Regional Recreation Complex’s advanced beach tennis groups. She also volunteers at SeaBreeze for a beginner’s four-on-four open play beach tennis game that takes place Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings.
“I just love the people in the sport, but it’s so much easier on the joints than some of the hardcore sports,” Cormier said.
Cormier has found beach tennis to be a good sport. It has kept her engaged and provided her with beneficial exercise. Other beach tennis players Cormier works with or coaches have noticed a positive change in their health as a result of participating in the sport.
“It’s good exercise trying to move in the sand,” Cormier said. “It works your body a different way.”
Other games, like as pickleball, have proven to be more challenging for Cormier and have caused her neck and back discomfort. She has no discomfort when she plays beach tennis.
“I can play this every day,” she said. “The sand is more forgiving.”
Cormier has also improved her overall beach tennis skills over the years. She said that she couldn’t get the ball past the net at first.
“It was a learning experience for me from the beginning,” she said.
Sindy Rogers’ skill has also strengthened in the eight months since she began playing beach tennis.
She still participates in SeaBreeze’s beginner’s four-on-four open play beach tennis game, as well as some three-on-three.
Her neighbor exposed her to beach tennis, and she began playing around eight months ago.
“I love it,” said Rogers, of the Village of Gilchrist. “I’m extremely competitive. It’s a great sport when you are limited into what you can do.”
Rogers’ joints are less strained when she plays beach tennis.
“It’s great,” she said. “You get your heart rate up without a boring thing like the elliptical or a walk. I haven’t been hurt yet.”
She may need a knee replacement due to her reduced knee capabilities, but she can still play beach tennis.
“I’ve fallen many times and never been hurt,” Rogers said.
