A PASSION FOR PICKLEBALL

Like so many couples, Michael and Leslie Gottfried were looking for a way to get fresh air and exercise during the pandemic. The Buckhead residents noticed three pickleball courts had been built at their Midtown golf and tennis club, and they decided to give the sport a try, ultimately playing at the Atlanta Pickleball Center on the westside. Michael quickly became “obsessed,” with Leslie not far behind him. In fact, Michael became so enamored with the sport that he founded PCKL, which sells high-performance pickleball paddles, accessories and more. For the couple, pickleball is a perfect fit for their busy schedules and a great way to stay active and social.

What really drew you to pickleball?

MICHAEL: It’s perfectly constructed for social interaction. The court is small enough that you can carry on a conversation with the people across the net from you; the games are rela tively short; and while it’s fun to win, it’s fun to just play. It’s my preferred exercise at this point in my life.

LESLIE: It’s a quick hobby and good workout. Michael and I don’t get to do a lot together—we have two small children and we both work—but we both love to compete. And the best way to learn the game is to just get out there and do it. I joined a league in the fall, and it helped me get up to speed quickly.

What advice do you have for a novice?

MICHAEL: Get ready to get obsessed. For whatever reason, when you play once, all you want to do is keep playing. If you think you’ll play for an hour, you should probably budget two or three hours because you’re going to want to keep going.

LESLIE: If you don’t have a good couple of first tries, don’t give up. Give yourself at least 10 tries before

Go out with a bang every time you try to Beat the Bomb.

The ASSC makes it easy to find the league that suits your interest through its website that posts league options, schedules, signup information and more. The site also provides information about pick-up games in neighborhoods across the area through a collaboration with OpenSports via the OpenSports mobile app. The ASSC is a one-stop shop for all of your sports league needs, and you’ll undoubtedly find what you’re looking for with a couple of clicks and a competitive spirit.

INTERACTIVE: BEAT THE BOMB

The escape room has become one of today’s most popular recreational outings for adults. If you’re looking to take the experience up a notch, plan a visit to Beat the Bomb, which opened in Upper Westside in October 2022.

“No other escape room ends with a giant paint bomb or foam bomb if you lose,” says Michon van As, the brand’s marketing director. “At Beat the Bomb, teams must advance through five high-tech video game-based rooms, including an epic laser maze. The games require all players to actively work together, making the experience far more social than your traditional puzzle-intensive escape room.”

If your group doesn’t crack the code in the time allotted, you’ll come face-to-face with either a paint or foam bomb, depending on the mission you’ve chosen. Fortunately, all guests are suited up in hazmat gear to add to the experience.

The attraction offers a full bar, beer garden area and food menu that allows you to enjoy some pregame refreshments or to keep the party going after you’ve finished up in one of the glass-walled bomb rooms. And because the facility is constantly developing new games and game levels, you’ll never have the same experience twice. Van As says, “You can expect to walk away with some epic memories, and every player gets free photos and videos of their blast.” n

ATLANTA SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB you decide it’s not for you. And don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s easy to get into your own head about it. The trickiest part is learning about the scoring, where to stand and some of the techniques. You learn by playing.

What do you enjoy most about the game?

MICHAEL: I would say it is the most accessible form of adult competition that exists. Period.

LESLIE: It combines the best parts of physical activity and social interaction. You get that beautiful pairing, which for someone who doesn’t have a lot of extra time, is great. n

PCKL pckl.com @pcklball

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BEAT THE BOMB

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BUCKHEAD RUN CLUB

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