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Great New Sport for Active Baby Boomers: Pickleball

aadmin — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:49:53 +0000

Maybe it's true that life begins at 50 ... but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. Phyllis Diller

Fitness and sports are mainstays for baby boomers. They pursue active lifestyles to feel better and look younger, meeting up at the traditional spots: Yoga and Tai Chi studios, the gym and weight room. Then, there’s the customary golf course and tennis court.

The Rise of Pickleball

Now, there’s a competitor sneaking up for attention for athletic middle-aged people – Pickleball. The combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong is played across North America in all 50 US states and in 6 Canadian provinces. Pickleball racquets are designed in the shape of oversized table tennis paddles. The net is lower than badminton and the court is smaller than in tennis. The big difference is the use of the wiffle ball.

“The wiffle ball is light so there’s less impact on wrists and other joints and the Pickleball racquet is easy to use,” said Hilary Young, a Senior Health and Wellness Expert and writer for Medical Guardian.

Benefits of Pickleball

Young cited Pickleball as a low-impact sport for aging bodies, especially for people with arthritis and other joint issues. As well, it offers an effective cardiovascular workout and a social aspect with healthy competition. “Participants don’t have to run long distances,” said Young, “and it helps with reflexes, balance and agility.”

Pickleball is an alternative to established boomer sports like golf and tennis. “Golf is not for everyone and tennis is hard on older bodies” said Young. She described the upstart sport as beneficial for boomers who aspire for energetic, youthful activities but have lost flexibility. “It’s a wonderful mix of competition that’s kinder for the body,” said Young.

The Invention of the Game

The game’s invention in 1965 is credited to former Washington State Representative Joel Pritchard at his home on Bainbridge Island, WA, near Seattle. The spread of the sport has led to the formation of the US Pickleball Association (USAPA) which lists rules and regulations and offers official equipment. The global governing body is the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP).

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10 favorite vacation spots for Baby Boomers

aadmin — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 03:36:24 +0000

They are either retired or closing in on it; the kids are grown, they have more time and money to spend on themselves and they’re spending it seeing the world. Baby boomers play as hard as they work. They are pursuing new interests and picking up old ones where they left off years ago. They are passionate about travel and boomers treat their vacations as well-deserved rewards for juggling careers and family.

Nancy Clark of ‘WatchBoom Travel’ says the 50plus crowd is choosing to take vacation over redecorating the home. They’re zeroing in on destinations where they can combine activities with relaxation. Boomers don’t necessarily want to get there and sit on a beach chair, says Clark. They want to enjoy golfing, studying foreign cuisines and exploring by day -- then spend evenings dining, dancing or relaxing at seaside cafés. Boomers want options, they want good weather, and their vacation choices confirm it.

Here are 10 top vacation destinations, as ranked by baby boomers:

Mayan Riviera

Snorkel in the crystal aqua-blue waters of Riviera Maya, explore villages and ruins, and enjoy the ultimate in relaxation at one of many spas. Mexican vacations are first choice among WatchBoom survey takers. A variety of all-inclusive packages appeal to the cost-conscious, and for anyone that appreciates a good deal it’s nice to know the price up front.

Costa Rica

The beautiful Costa Rica is a popular destination for post50 adults. A reasonable cost of living, temperate tropical climate, and relocation incentives offered by the Costa Rican government make the country attractive to both retirees and vacationers.

Spain

Spain ranks third in popularity as a vacation spot for the 50plus set. It’s easy to get around and foodies love the local cuisine. Tapas crawls, Spanish beer, busy metro food markets, and Cortado (espresso cut with a little warm milk) from corner coffee-stands are essential to the experience.

Big Sur: west coast road trip

Boomers love their sports cars and Harleys. Driving the Pacific coast highway through Big Sur in either one is an absolute must -- at least once a lifetime. Enjoy breathtaking views; photograph the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, then a pleasant pit stop for food and lodging at Ragged Point Inn.

Napa Valley, CA

Retreat to Napa Valley once and you’ll return again and again. Wine-tasting with brunch in a vineyard garden, a leisurely ride through wine country on the restored vintage train, and dinner prepared by a Michelin star chef -- all part of the Napa Valley getaway.

Arizona

Arizona is the golfer’s dream with 300+ world-class courses. Experience the Grand Canyon with a tour guide or from a comfortable seat on the train; and set aside at least a day for the breathtaking red-rock landscapes of Sedona.

Hawaii

A vacation to Hawaii’s big island ranks high with boomers. For an exhilarating break from basking in the sun, photograph the volcanoes from your helicopter seat, join a snorkel-cruise along the coast or ‘zip-line’ (if you’re brave!) over rugged jungles and waterfalls -- take in Hawaii’s lush beauty from a new angle.

Banff, Alberta

Banff in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is popular with skiers in winter and a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain any time of year. The Banff town-site is experienced best on foot. Duck into candy shops for homemade chocolate and try a bison burger in one of many rustic top-notch restaurants. Boomers surveyed place Canadian destinations in fifth place on their list of favorite travel destinations.

Caribbean

It’s understandable that the Caribbean ties with Hawaii in popularity with 50plussers. Mountainside resorts that overlook blue ocean waters, endless white-sand beaches, the warmth of the people and perfectly spicy food draw boomers back to the beautiful Caribbean islands year after year.

Alaska cruise

Anyone 50+ can experience the best in relaxation plus adventure on an Alaska cruise. BC’s evergreen forests and northern icy-white glaciers touch the Pacific Ocean for some of the most brilliant land and seascapes -- anywhere.

That rounds out one of many boomers' top-10 travel lists. Their passions will keep drawing them to new destinations and they’ll continue to enjoy pre-retirement as well as retirement travel to the max!

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National Institute on Retirement Security 2013 Policy Conference

aadmin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:54:09 +0000

The National Institute on Retirement Security will hold its 4th Annual Policy Conference from February 25 to February 26, at the Washington Court Hotel, Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

The Annual NIRS Policy Conference brings top thought leaders from across the retirement industry and policy spectrum—retirement plan service providers, regulators and policymakers, and plan sponsors and administrators to discuss policy solutions aimed at improving Americans' retirement prospects.

The retirement crisis is here. Today in the U. S. – and every day for the next two decades – 10,000 baby boomers will reach age 65, and most will be poorly prepared for retirement.The U.S. is not alone in confronting this crisis. For the first time in history, the world soon will be home to more people over fifty than under seventeen.

The Conference is exclusive to NIRS members, and there is no fee to attend.

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