HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open presented by HMSA kicked off on Friday, April 10 and will last through the weekend at the Hawaii Convention Center.
The event is open to the public to come down and experience. Professional pickleball player, Morgan Evans, showed KHON2 a few tricks of the trade.
Evans showed KHON2’s Kamaka Pili the “dink shot,” a shot designed to land inside the kitchen.
“What we are going to do is get you behind the kitchen line right here. Nice and close, within a few inches and facing the net. Now, let’s get down to a nice, low stance. I like that you have worn some incredibly athletic shoes today. Dress for the job. So what we are going to do is a small shot. Simple, you are going to try and get the ball up, over the net to land on my half of the kitchen. We are going to go for 10 shots in a row,” explained Evans.
Friday’s event featured lots of kupuna playing the rapidly growing game. Evans said it helps them stay active.
“When I am doing this, it’s very hard for you to attack me. If I play a good enough dink, something soft inside the kitchen, then it’s difficult for you to attack. But if you manage to hit it a little too high or too far, then I’ll show you what is going to happen, someone will attack you. So, it pays dividends to keep the ball low, nice and soft, move your opponents around, it’s a delicate touch. Not easy but you are going to get it. You’re on the right track.”
And of course, pickleball is for everybody!
Even though the tournament is already sold out, the public can still come down and check it out throughout the weekend, free of charge.
Attendees can participate in clinics, and products and explore more than 30 courts.
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So if you have time this weekend, head down to the Hawaii Convention Center through Sunday, April 13.
Tournaments begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 8 p.m. For more information, click here.