(VIERA, FL) October 26, 2026 – What would happen if tennis and pickleball had a baby? Six months after Steve Cooley learned about Spec Tennis, he found himself coordinating weekly matches for up to 50 of his neighbors at Indian River Colony Club in Viera, Florida. And inside the gates of the 55+ community for military veterans, the popularity of Spec Tennis is still growing. But what is it, exactly? Played with a half-inflated tennis ball and an 18” perforated paddle, the new racquet sport uses the strokes and strategies of tennis, but requires far less running than either tennis or pickleball. In addition, it is easy to score and can utilize existing tennis or pickleball courts. Ideally suited for seniors, Spec Tennis is served underhand and played in a compact space, requiring less strength and agility from participants. With an easy learning curve, new players are often enjoying the game in as little as 20 minutes. At Indian River Colony Club, the introduction of the sport has resulted in more friendships inside the already tight-knit community of nearly 800 homes. For more information about the amenities and recreation groups at Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.ColonyClub.com
Steve Cooley is the member volunteer who stumbled across Spec Tennis and recognized it as the ideal new racquet sport for Indian River Colony Club, an active adult community with resort-style amenities. What he didn’t expect was the hugely enthusiastic response from members.
“We started Spec Tennis this year as an experiment, but the feedback and participation has been so tremendous that it’s been added as one of our official amenities,” said Cooley. “The social aspect is incredibly strong. It’s really a house party that masquerades as a paddle sport!”
Joking aside, Steve Cooley reflects on the larger picture from the shade of the community’s recently refurbished sports pavilion. Players at Indian River Colony Club range in age from their mid-50s through 80s.
“We now hold four weekly scheduled group events, which almost always fill all three of our courts with overflow crowds. But my biggest personal reward is that this sport has created new friendships that extend well beyond the courts.”
IRCC’s most popular weekly Spec Tennis group event is usually Thursday afternoon’s “Whack and Snack,” where players bring beverages and snacks and typically hang out long after the playing is done.
The relative quiet of Spec Tennis is also gaining appreciation. The sport creates a significantly lower-pitched sound than pickleball, whose sharp acoustic profile and high concentration of rapid ball strikes have been known to trigger municipal noise complaints –and even lawsuits. The balls and paddles for each sport use different materials, which predictably affects the generation of their respective sound profiles. Considered a neighbor-friendly alternative, Spec Tennis produces a sound much like traditional tennis.
More details about Spec Tennis can be found on its official website, www.SpecTennis.com. For a video explaining the differences between Spec Tennis and Pickleball, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pik2YtQcR4M
Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as "The Place Patriots Call Home." A haven for military veterans, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000, visit their website at ColonyClub.com or like their Facebook page.
About Indian River Colony Club
Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) was originally conceived as a retirement destination for former military officers. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course designed by acclaimed Florida golf course architect, Gordon G. Lewis. Social memberships are available for those who live offsite but wish to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle. The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.ColonyClub.com.
