Cynthia Gin

Tell us something about yourself
I’m a long-time racket sports enthusiast, primarily tennis , badminton and racquetball (last two I never got beyond beginner level but I still had fun). I was in USTA tennis leagues for many years, playing for various south bay teams before joining Foster City teams for 10+ years. As a retiree, I split my time between my favorite sports, pickleball and golf.

How did you start playing pickleball?
My tennis friends returned from a Southern California vacation and raved about a new sport they learned called “pickleball”. It was so much fun and easy to learn, they said. They spent a year begging me to try it, but I was a tennis snob, as I still had it good with my tennis. After having to reduce my tennis time due to chronic tennis and shoulder issues, I relented and had my friends introduce me to pickleball. The closest public pickleball venue we could find was at a Walnut Creek community gym in 2015. Free loaner paddles, wood and plastic, were provided. I got hooked on the sport and not knowing about “real” paddles, I purchased wooden paddles for me and whoever I was going to convert to pickleball. Fast forward, I’m playing with “real” paddles now and happy to have converted several of my tennis, badminton and golf friends into the world of pickleball.

What do you like most about pickleball?
I enjoy witnessing new players smiling and being excited when they first learn the sport. It’s especially a bonus when these players make new friends and connections that go beyond pickleball. For me, pickleball is lifelong learning in that there are always things to improve upon and different ways to learn shot mechanics and game strategy.

Why do you serve on the board?
To support the growth of pickleball in our community. To partner with and be a subject matter resource to the City on pickleball programming, court usage and court maintenance needs. To serve the membership with organized events, competitive and social, that promotes principles of good sportsmanship, fellowship and inclusiveness.