Oregon Senior Games Profile: Mark Cywinski

The Oregon Senior Games return to Corvallis this August. In anticipation of events to come 50plus met with participating athletes and volunteers. Their stories are fun and fascinating, and on this they all agree: “The games are a blast — for participants and spectators alike. See for yourself! Today, meet pickleball convert Mark Cywinski

COVID unexpectedly led Mark Cywinski to a whole new kind of fun. In September 2020, his favorite tennis courts closed due to the rampant disease, so he thought he’d “try this pickleball thing.” He bought a paddle and headed to a court. “I just showed up and asked the players, ‘So what do I do now?’”

Pickleball proved to be a great fit for him. “If you’ve played any racket sports at all, it’s fairly easy to pick up and enjoy it in a short time,” Mark maintains. “I’m now playing six days a week.”

Mark will be at the Senior Games in Corvallis this summer. “Do it while you can,” he advises. “And have fun!”

• Randal C. Hill