Have Pickleball, Will Travel

Bill Gates has been playing since he was a kid growing up in Seattle. Fashion brands are scrambling to create stylish outfits for the game. A growing number of Hollywood celebrities and sports superstars are keen on the game. And a lot of tennis players consider it an abomination.

We’re talking pickleball of course. The fastest growing U.S. sport since the start of the Covid pandemic. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association says that nearly nine million Americans were regular pickleball players by the end of last year — nearly double the number from 2021. Another report claims that at least 36 million Americans have tried it.

“For many, the pandemic provided time to slow down and pursue some inexpensive, accessible, and simple outdoor physical activities…like pickleball,” says Lisa Beckett, who teaches pickleball at Pomona College after leading the women’s tennis team to seven NCAA championships.

“It’s often said that pickleball takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. Meaning, you have a lot of fun on day one and you are motivated to keep playing because the game is not only fun but is also interesting and challenging.”

Despite its recent surge in popularity, pickleball has been around for quite a while. It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington State by three fathers looking for a new way to keep their kids engaged during summer vacation. Allegedly named for one of the family dogs (“Pickles”), their sport combined aspects of badminton, wiffleball, tennis and ping pong.

Overnight Sensation

But the game wasn’t an overnight sensation until Covid came into our lives, ignited by cabin fever and an overwhelming need to get some exercise and fresh air at a safe distance from other human beings.

Its rapid rise attracted big-time money and attention.

Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, basketball legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant, renowned symphony conductor Zubin Mehta, supermodel Heidi Kulm, and tennis greats Naomi Osaka and Chris Evert, actor Eva Longoria and tech tycoon Mark Cuban are among those backing teams in Major League Pickleball.

“A number of factors contributed to the explosion of our sport over the last few years,” says Melissa Zhang, Director of Communications & Content for USA Pickleball. “Primarily, we saw a major uptick during the pandemic, with people looking for a way to get outside and remain active. Moreover, the sport is fun and social.”

The latest trend is the pickleball vacation, people willing to travel with paddle and balls to places where they can play against other fans of America’s fastest growing sport. Here are a couple of the best:

Southern California

Founded in the 1960s as the Irvine Coast Racquet Club, the sprawling Tennis & Pickleball Club at Newport Beach boasts 48 dedicated pickleball courts with lights for after-dark play and a grandstand court for pro tournaments.

Based in San Clemente, the recently formed Southern California Pickleball Association (SCPA) offers lessons and instructional videos as well as organizing events like the professional Orange County Cup in June at Life Time Fitness Rancho San Clemente.

Down the coast in Encinitas, the Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle Club has transitioned from full-time tennis to 22 pickleball courts, plus clinics, private lessons, social events and tournaments.

Bobby Riggs Racket &Home | Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle

Central Florida

Combine your favorite court sport with Orlando’s theme parks or the Tampa-St. Petersburg area’s talcum-powder-fine white sand beaches during a pickleball safari to Central Florida.

And don’t sweat that wicked Florida humidity. Tampa Bay Pickleball boasts six air-conditioned indoor courts, the City of Tampa offers indoor public at seven community centers, and Hillsborough County another eight at rec centers.

Two hours up Interstate-4, the Orlando Racket Sports Center has nine dedicated indoor pickleball courts across the street from the University of Central Florida. ClearOne Sports Center near downtown Orlando beats that with 13 indoor courts.

For those who are just starting out, Pickleball Orlando offers a 1.5-hour beginner’s class at ClearOne that includes paddle and ball rental, and a skilled instructor.

PickleballorlandoLearn Pickleball in Orlando | Pickleball Orlando

Salt Lake City, Utah

According to Coventry Direct, residents of Salt Lake City have more interest in pickleball (based on their Google search results) than any other American city slickers.

The Kitchen Indoor Pickleball Courts in the Woods Cross neighborhood organizes tournaments like The Best of Utah, hosts adult leagues, and offers clinics like “Drop Shots and Getting to the Kitchen” and “Dinking and Effective Kitchen Play.”

Those who want to combine drop shots and drop-dead gorgeous scenery can cruise down to Park City. Courts with a view of the often-snow-capped Wasatch Mountains are available at the Municipal Athletic & Recreation Center. During the winter, you can combine skiing or snowboarding with pickleball via four courts inside MARC’s covered tennis bubble.

The Kitchen PBHome – The Kitchen PB

Phoenix, Arizona

It should come as no surprise that a city already renowned for its year-round golf, tennis and swimming opportunities should also excel at pickleball.

Arizona’s capital offers around three dozen pickleball choices ranging from private facilities like the Marriott Desert Ridge Resort (17 courts) to public play at Pecos Community Park (16 courts) or Paseo Highlands Pickleball Complex (six courts).

A new nationwide chain called Chicken N Pickle is scheduled to open a Phoenix venue this summer. Located in the Westgate Entertainment District beside the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium, the family-oriented facility will offer food, drink and pickleball, and games like cornhole, jenga, ping pong, and bocce ball.

Chicken N PickleGlendale – Chicken N Pickle

Seattle, Washington

The Emerald City boasts the most pickleball courts per capita of any U.S. metropolis, scores of places where you can dink, drop, lob and volley to your heart’s content.

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association hosts round robin and regional tournaments, beginner and novice clinics and play dates, and a diversity and inclusion program to get a wider range of people involved in the sport.

Or make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of pickleball by hopping the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The six Founders Courts at Battle Point Park are located near the home where the sport was invented in 1965.

Bainbridge Island PickleballBainbridge Island Pickleball