Great article
NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE
How Pickleball Won Over Everyone From Leonardo DiCaprio to Your Grandparents
The addictive tennis-Ping-Pong hybrid might be the last thing red and blue Americans can agree on. “I literally want every person in the world to play this game,” says one convert.
BY CRAIG COYNE
OCTOBER 21, 2021
How Pickleball Won Over Everyone From Leonardo DiCaprio to Your Grandparents
Leonardo DiCaprio plays every day—by his own rules, naturally. “It’s like a free-for-all,” one L.A.-based showrunner confides. Anyone hoping for face time with DiCaprio might end up waiting until he finishes on the court. It’s how things work in L.A. Mortals bide their time while movie star chases plastic ball with friends.
But DiCaprio is hardly alone in his obsession. Out of nowhere, pickleball is everywhere. This sneaky-fast amalgam of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong has been embraced by Larry David, Melinda Gates, Jamie Foxx, the Kardashians, Owen Wilson, Jillian Michaels, Zach Braff, and Giuliana Rancic. Pro athletes from Russell Wilson to Annika Sörenstam have mastered the dink and drive. Games break out in the Chicago Cubs bullpen. Reese Witherspoon mentioned pickleball in a birthday post to husband Jim Toth. George Clooney says his wife, Amal, routinely torches him on their home court in L.A. Joel Silver prefers to just watch. Survivor winner Tyson Apostol has parlayed his reality-TV fame into a career as a pickleball influencer.
This year’s Sun Valley Conference, also known as the “summer camp for billionaires,” featured pickleball action. Entourage creator Doug Ellin got hooked when pro golfer Phil Mickelson invited him to join a game. Not long after, Ellin swore off vacationing anywhere he couldn’t play and found himself helping haul the 50-pound box of pickleball equipment his ex-girlfriend had shipped from the States up an Italian cliffside. “One of the great regrets of my life,” Ellin says, “is that I didn’t find this sport earlier. I literally want every person in the world to play this game.”
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If these names and places evoke an idea of exclusivity, remember that pickleball is just a goofy-sounding game featuring (usually yellow) plastic balls and (usually ugly) composite paddles on a hard surface roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Its origins remain murky, but most diehards agree the sport was invented by three dads (including a future U.S. congressman) on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. The rest is pure conjecture. Did the Founding Fathers create it to entertain bored children? Was it really named after a dog called Pickles that chased loose balls? While we might never know what actually happened off the Seattle coast, this much is certain: Three numbers are called before each serve in a doubles match, second shots must bounce, “bangers” are players who drive hard shots, and the area on either side of the net is known as “the kitchen.” You don’t want to be in the kitchen until the ball has bounced in it. After that, you dink.
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It’s easy to learn, I promise. It’s also accessible, affordable, and allows an almost unparalleled competitive balance across generations and genders. Fashion designer Sarah Staudinger plays at least twice a week with UTA chairman Jim Berkus’s wife, Ria, and best friends Ashley Underwood David and Isabelle Lawrence Thomas (the producing duo behind an upcoming pickleball documentary). On Sundays, their partners join. Age gaps and professional rivalries have melted away, and the unlikely crew now count one another among their nearest and dearest.
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At L.A.’s sprawling Riviera Country Club, pro Matt Manasse (a.k.a. “Pickleball McNasty”) has earned a reputation as the “pickleball coach to the stars.” Private courts are popping up around L.A. at such a clip that Ria Berkus jokes it’s the new Hollywood status symbol. On the other side of the country, pickleball is creeping into the Hamptons, with private lessons offered at the exclusive East Hampton Tennis Club. But there’s just as much enthusiasm for the sport at the YMCA down the road from my parents’ house in Georgia. There, sandwiched between Walmart and Zaxby’s, seniors gather every Thursday morning with a portable net and paddles intended for padel—a different sport entirely.
Between 2019 and 2020, pickleball participation grew by a staggering 21.3 percent. The Economist declared it “the fastest growing sport in America.” It’s hard to make sense of that kind of growth. We could theorize as to what’s behind its surging popularity or just accept that pickleball is really fun and move on. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimates that 4.2 million Americans play at least once a year. That’s roughly the number of people in this country who play lacrosse and ice hockey combined. It’s also comparable to the population of Oregon—and greater than that of 23 other states. Schools across the nation are adding pickleball to their phys-ed curriculums. The stage is set for a vibrant youth movement in years to come.
The boom appears surprisingly democratic, as pickleball gains popularity across the socioeconomic spectrum. You can find courts at Carmel Valley Ranch outside Big Sur, California, and at La Casa mobile home park in North Port, Florida. How, at a time when America’s rich and poor experience increasingly distinct realities, can anything hover above the political fray? Perhaps a low profile is to thank. Fair or not, we’ve labeled the NFL conservative and the NBA liberal. I’ve been to two major pickleball tournaments and can’t remember if they even played the national anthem, let alone if anyone kneeled.
“I literally want every person in the world to PLAY THIS GAME.”
Simone Jardim, a 41-year-old mother of two and savage destroyer of anyone challenging her position as the top-ranked women’s player, ascribes pickleball’s ability to bring different classes together to its humble roots in public venues. “On the same court, you can have a millionaire with someone living paycheck to paycheck,” she explains. “No one’s interested in what you do for a living, only in how long you’ve been playing.” There’s an egalitarianism to pickleball you don’t often find in other sports. I’ve had my ass kicked by men (and women) in their 60s, I’ve beaten friends with private jets and current college athletes, and I regularly swap pickleball-related texts with a former U.S. president, the Australian rocker Alex Cameron, and a buddy who jumps the NYC subway turnstiles to save cash. It’s not a group text, but still.
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Given pickleball’s explosive growth, it’s no surprise that the professionalization—and commercialization—of the sport is under way. Equipment and apparel brands, media companies, and pro tours are banking on the sport producing transcendent stars. A storybook contrast atop the men’s field promises hope of a breakout. Tyson McGuffin, the intense, charismatic, tatted-up pride of Idaho, was dethroned in 2019 by Ben Johns, who won the national men’s singles title as a junior at the University of Maryland after playing for only three and a half years. Johns’s play inspires and frustrates in equal measure, offering a reminder of both what is possible and how far you are from achieving it. His greatness feels effortless in the way a savant’s excellence often does. If McGuffin is Nadal, Palmer, and Ronaldo, Johns is Federer, Nicklaus, and Messi.
But greatness alone doesn’t cut it. The prize money in pickleball still can’t sustain a living. The 2021 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships in Indian Wells, California—arguably the sport’s biggest event—will feature a total purse of only $90,000. At the last games, the men’s and women’s singles champions each took home a modest $2,500 for their efforts. While Johns, almost certainly the world’s best compensated player, has estimated his current annual pay at a robust $250,000, most pros can’t sniff that sort of haul.
Teaching and sponsorships often provide the most reliable sources of income. Coach, promote, compete. It’s a grind even the top players must endure. Compare Johns’s earnings to his fellow niche-sport GOAT, disc-golf legend Paul McBeth—who recently nabbed a single endorsement deal worth a guaranteed $10 million—and you’ll see how far pickleball lags behind.
Even if other alternative sports, from darts to cornhole, enjoy higher paydays or more TV airtime, pickleball might beat them to the ultimate prize. In May, the Montreal Gazette noted that pickleball has been called the fastest growing sport in Canada. The International Federation of Pickleball currently boasts 60 member countries, and a swelling global presence has inspired enthusiasts to lobby the International Olympic Committee for inclusion. A dream that might have appeared farcical only a few years ago suddenly feels plausible. If break dancing can head slide into Paris 2024, there’s a banger’s chance pickleball can bring the dink to the 2028 Los Angeles games.
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We would love to see more availability to play pickleball in Maui. Currently there are not enough places to play the game. The courts are already in place and can be shared by tennis and pickleball players alike.
Sincerely,
Chris McNeil
At the conclusion of today's 3 hour meeting (with most of it, 2.5 hours, consisting of public testimony reiterating the eComments below), the Members finally questioned the Parks & Rec Director, and it sounds like the "concrete action plan" is to simply study the situation for $50k -- how the courts are currently used and a survey of what sports residents are interested in -- and then sometime in 1-2 years reconvene for the results. The Members seemed content with that.
How disappointing. Is that really the takeaway here? It is WAY past time studying/talking about it. The issue and need is quite documented, and there were many hours that went into today's meeting with both the tennis and pickleball communities clearly articulating the issue (with written and oral testimony).
Now it's time for action -- identifying new dedicated places for pickleballers to play (e.g., indoor gyms, private-public partnerships, possibly some neglected & isolated tennis courts), and in the meantime clear & enforced rules by Parks & Rec to ensure the availability and quality of play for both communities while minimizing conflict.
Where do we go from here? Can there be a task force created asap representing both communities plus Parks & Rec and County Committee representation to prioritize and implement solutions?
Aloha,
When I first started to play pickle ball at Waipulani Park, approximately 5 years ago, we had to call a group of people just to get 4 people out to play. Now when we play we have all the courts being used with many people signed up on the board waiting to play.
Pickleball has exploded!!!
I respectfully request that the county acts on the need for more Pickleball courts to keep up with the demand.
Mahalo.
Pickle ball is a great fitness opportunity for kupuna that want to stay active and healthy. I enjoy pickle ball and the community of pickle ball players on Maui who always accept new players and support each other. Please keep this opportunity for older citizens and keiki to stay active and stay healthy. My name is Chuck Davis and I live in the Wailuku area.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US and Maui is no exception! There is a huge following on the island and a high need for more dedicated pickleball all over the island.
Please make this a priority! I know the name of the sport is comical but the need for additional support is not! Mahalo for your consideration!
Pickleball is a very popular and growing sport here on the island with lots of locals and visitors who enjoy the fun sport. It has brought lots of friendships and fun times. Please add more pickleball courts to the island.
Mahalo!
Please work to develop dedicated pickle ball courts without taking tennis facilities.
Consider renovating unused tennis courts (Pukalani, Haliimaile, Eddie Tam) for pickle ball.
More recreational facilities will benefit our health and economy.
With hundreds and hundreds of pickleball players on Maui, we find ourselves unable to play without very long wait times or at all. We need designated new courts and/or permanent lines on courts that exist for tennis or basketball, such as in Ha'iku at the field house. While there may be 10 basketball players per week on those courts, we have documented a hundred or more pickleball players on those same courts weekly. We request that either funding for new courts upcountry be made available or permanent lines on all the courts that currently are available to tennis players. Mahalo.
As an avid Picklball player, I support more dedicated courts, especially up country.
Kihei courts are in terrible shape and need some serious love
And expansion.
As a tennis player and pickleball player, I appreciate both perspectives. We need more dedicated Pickleball courts. Putting lines on tennis courts for Pickleball use is not a viable option. We use tape that we remove at the Kula tennis courts, and that works well as an interim measure, until dedicated courts can be built. But we have to provide our own nets and tape. We need at least 4 courts in the Kula Community Center area to accommodate the increasing numbers we are seeing each week. Another good interim measure would be posted times for Pickleball use at the Kula courts, until dedicated courts can be built.
My last comment is: don’t put Pickleball courts in windy areas!
I just started to play pickleball. We are in need of dedicated pickleball courts in Central Maui. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have as many as 30 and more people coming to play.
Thank you.
I started playing Pickleball due to my knee injury acquired playing tennis. So many Tennis players are avid Pickleball players now. They can do both sports but tend to play PB because the court is half the size of the Tennis court. You can get 2 PB courts or more from 1 tennis court.
PB is a nationwide and global sport. It's great for the aging population who can no longer play Tennis but want and need to keep active to keep their body and mind active. It is tremendous for people with Parkinson's by keeping this disease at bay. I have a friend who shuffles and they have been playing throughout the pandemic and their health has stabilized as this sport keeps their mind, eye-hand coordination, and body moving and thinking. It's been a lifesaver for this family. Rock Steady Boxing is known to help Parkinson's too but you need 2 people to do this. With PB being played universally, you just show up and rotate in.
We have been playing PB all over the nation. We just find a park and rotate in. You do not need a partner to play. That's the wonderful beauty of this phenomenal sport that has taken the nation by storm in recent years.
PB is a sport for all ages. I have played 8-year-olds that can serve and hit the ball better than myself. That is simply amazing! I have played 77 and 86 year olds that play better than me. They come from a tennis background and they are able to excel in PB where they can no longer do so in Tennis. This is the Sport of the Decade! Maui should focus on building the next generation in sports facilities and host tournaments and matches just as FL, Las Vegas NV, Indio/Palm Springs CA; Utah, Bend OR, Phoenix AZ, and the other States that are now capitalizing on this new and upcoming sport. PB is where Snowboarding was. If Maui becomes a host for this warm weather sport, it will generate jobs, hotel revenue, and the trickle-down effect.
We definitely need more dedicated and shared facilities for Pickleball. Tennis and Pickleball courts can co-exist and are intertwined with each other yet separate. The best reason for Maui needing more dedicated PB court facilities is that all ages can play year-round and you do not need a partner. You just rotate in. That is how the game is played. The PB community teaches new players whenever they show up to learn and play. This is universal and experienced nationwide.
Maui has the opportunity to LEAD by example and be at the forefront of leading the State of HI into the future with this the hottest and fastest-growing sport in the World. Just google or search Youtube for Pickleball and watch the Pro's play. You will see why this sport is so addicting and you may find yourself on the court playing one day soon.
The PB community island-wide sincerely implores our governing County Officials to seriously consider and implement more dedicated sports facilities for our residents and visitors alike. Thank you for receiving testimony and comments to better enable you to serve the community.
Although pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, tennis is a long-established sport with a rich heritage. It takes many years and countless matches to become even marginally good. By carving up dedicated tennis courts to accommodate pickleball — an activity that defaces the courts with distracting lines and distorted nets — is an affront and disservice to tennis players who devote incredible amounts of time and resources in pursuit of excellence in this sport. The public courts on Maui are classified as tennis courts, not multipurpose courts; please keep it that way and give pickleball its own dedicated play areas. Mahalo for your consideration of this heartfelt request — it’s the right thing to do for all concerned.
I do not see a problem with enough facilities for pickle ball and tennis if the parks department had some vision and pro active planning. For starters why are most of the gyms not being utilized for pickleball (Eddie Tam, Wailuku Gyms, Kula Gym, Haiku Field House, etc. etc.). Tennis and pickleball players consist of citizens who just want facilities to do their thing. Our county parks department is not providing this for whatever reason. In Haiku my wife and I have been trying for over 1 1/2 yrs. for permanent pickleball lines at the Haiku Fieldhouse with no success. What I am trying to say is that a huge part of the problem is with the parks department and there lack of doing which is fueling the tension between tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Both tennis and pickleball in my opinion are great sports and it is sad when either is demonized.
I absolutely support the suggestion of building more Pickleball courts on Maui. Many of the existing courts are simply re-lined tennis courts which is not optimal for play, and puts pickleball players 'in competition' with tennis players for the courts. Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and the need for more courts will only continue to increase. Please add more Pickleball courts on Maui so that both tennis players and pickleball players can continue to enjoy their respective sports. Thanks!
I used to be an avid tennis player but took years for me to become proficient enough just to have a good rally. On my first day I felt comfortable playing pickleball and has now become my primary activity. I enjoy the camaraderie and exercise that pickleball affords across all age groups. Tennis is a great sport but limits players with mobility issues but pickleball is a much more accessible game for seniors. It's shocking to see as many as SIXTEEN pickleball players on a single tennis court. I would use Sunset Park in Las Vegas as an example of how successful pickleball courts are for a community (https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/pickleball-popularity-las-vegas-sunset-park-venue/).
I strongly encourage the county to build some new pickleball courts at all park locations - several courts can be built in the same space as a single tennis court. I never see anyone playing tennis at any of the tennis courts at the parks - there is really no reason not convert existing courts to pickleball courts or build new pickleball courts. Just go to any public court (Kihei or Kula Community Center) and count the number of players showing up for pickleball vs tennis.
Ben. Makawao, HI.
Aloha; I am a novice Pickle ball player who absolutely loves to play. As I am over 60, this activity gives e a terrific way to meet people as I live a very solitary life. It also gives me a good amount of weight bearing exercise; so important as we age. However, I have yet to find a Pickleball court in Haiku or anywhere nearby that has a lot of "open" hours for drop in play. Please add more Pickleball courts for all to enjoy! Mahalo! Melinda Walker, Haiku
Aloha,
The dissension between Pickleball and tennis players has become an embarrassing and unnecessary battle. Many, mainly Pickleball
players, have completely quit the activity or at the very least chosen not to encounter the bullies. This is not our ways, there is plenty
for everyone, maybe not as much as one group or another would like, yet enough for us ADULTS to treat one another with respect and Aloha.
Parks and Rec: Eia au, eia 'oe
Living Intentionally,
Bonnie Jones @ bonniejonesfinancialcoaching.com
Testimonies received from HCP Committee.
Great article
NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE
How Pickleball Won Over Everyone From Leonardo DiCaprio to Your Grandparents
The addictive tennis-Ping-Pong hybrid might be the last thing red and blue Americans can agree on. “I literally want every person in the world to play this game,” says one convert.
BY CRAIG COYNE
OCTOBER 21, 2021
How Pickleball Won Over Everyone From Leonardo DiCaprio to Your Grandparents
Leonardo DiCaprio plays every day—by his own rules, naturally. “It’s like a free-for-all,” one L.A.-based showrunner confides. Anyone hoping for face time with DiCaprio might end up waiting until he finishes on the court. It’s how things work in L.A. Mortals bide their time while movie star chases plastic ball with friends.
But DiCaprio is hardly alone in his obsession. Out of nowhere, pickleball is everywhere. This sneaky-fast amalgam of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong has been embraced by Larry David, Melinda Gates, Jamie Foxx, the Kardashians, Owen Wilson, Jillian Michaels, Zach Braff, and Giuliana Rancic. Pro athletes from Russell Wilson to Annika Sörenstam have mastered the dink and drive. Games break out in the Chicago Cubs bullpen. Reese Witherspoon mentioned pickleball in a birthday post to husband Jim Toth. George Clooney says his wife, Amal, routinely torches him on their home court in L.A. Joel Silver prefers to just watch. Survivor winner Tyson Apostol has parlayed his reality-TV fame into a career as a pickleball influencer.
This year’s Sun Valley Conference, also known as the “summer camp for billionaires,” featured pickleball action. Entourage creator Doug Ellin got hooked when pro golfer Phil Mickelson invited him to join a game. Not long after, Ellin swore off vacationing anywhere he couldn’t play and found himself helping haul the 50-pound box of pickleball equipment his ex-girlfriend had shipped from the States up an Italian cliffside. “One of the great regrets of my life,” Ellin says, “is that I didn’t find this sport earlier. I literally want every person in the world to play this game.”
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If these names and places evoke an idea of exclusivity, remember that pickleball is just a goofy-sounding game featuring (usually yellow) plastic balls and (usually ugly) composite paddles on a hard surface roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Its origins remain murky, but most diehards agree the sport was invented by three dads (including a future U.S. congressman) on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. The rest is pure conjecture. Did the Founding Fathers create it to entertain bored children? Was it really named after a dog called Pickles that chased loose balls? While we might never know what actually happened off the Seattle coast, this much is certain: Three numbers are called before each serve in a doubles match, second shots must bounce, “bangers” are players who drive hard shots, and the area on either side of the net is known as “the kitchen.” You don’t want to be in the kitchen until the ball has bounced in it. After that, you dink.
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It’s easy to learn, I promise. It’s also accessible, affordable, and allows an almost unparalleled competitive balance across generations and genders. Fashion designer Sarah Staudinger plays at least twice a week with UTA chairman Jim Berkus’s wife, Ria, and best friends Ashley Underwood David and Isabelle Lawrence Thomas (the producing duo behind an upcoming pickleball documentary). On Sundays, their partners join. Age gaps and professional rivalries have melted away, and the unlikely crew now count one another among their nearest and dearest.
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At L.A.’s sprawling Riviera Country Club, pro Matt Manasse (a.k.a. “Pickleball McNasty”) has earned a reputation as the “pickleball coach to the stars.” Private courts are popping up around L.A. at such a clip that Ria Berkus jokes it’s the new Hollywood status symbol. On the other side of the country, pickleball is creeping into the Hamptons, with private lessons offered at the exclusive East Hampton Tennis Club. But there’s just as much enthusiasm for the sport at the YMCA down the road from my parents’ house in Georgia. There, sandwiched between Walmart and Zaxby’s, seniors gather every Thursday morning with a portable net and paddles intended for padel—a different sport entirely.
Between 2019 and 2020, pickleball participation grew by a staggering 21.3 percent. The Economist declared it “the fastest growing sport in America.” It’s hard to make sense of that kind of growth. We could theorize as to what’s behind its surging popularity or just accept that pickleball is really fun and move on. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimates that 4.2 million Americans play at least once a year. That’s roughly the number of people in this country who play lacrosse and ice hockey combined. It’s also comparable to the population of Oregon—and greater than that of 23 other states. Schools across the nation are adding pickleball to their phys-ed curriculums. The stage is set for a vibrant youth movement in years to come.
The boom appears surprisingly democratic, as pickleball gains popularity across the socioeconomic spectrum. You can find courts at Carmel Valley Ranch outside Big Sur, California, and at La Casa mobile home park in North Port, Florida. How, at a time when America’s rich and poor experience increasingly distinct realities, can anything hover above the political fray? Perhaps a low profile is to thank. Fair or not, we’ve labeled the NFL conservative and the NBA liberal. I’ve been to two major pickleball tournaments and can’t remember if they even played the national anthem, let alone if anyone kneeled.
“I literally want every person in the world to PLAY THIS GAME.”
Simone Jardim, a 41-year-old mother of two and savage destroyer of anyone challenging her position as the top-ranked women’s player, ascribes pickleball’s ability to bring different classes together to its humble roots in public venues. “On the same court, you can have a millionaire with someone living paycheck to paycheck,” she explains. “No one’s interested in what you do for a living, only in how long you’ve been playing.” There’s an egalitarianism to pickleball you don’t often find in other sports. I’ve had my ass kicked by men (and women) in their 60s, I’ve beaten friends with private jets and current college athletes, and I regularly swap pickleball-related texts with a former U.S. president, the Australian rocker Alex Cameron, and a buddy who jumps the NYC subway turnstiles to save cash. It’s not a group text, but still.
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Given pickleball’s explosive growth, it’s no surprise that the professionalization—and commercialization—of the sport is under way. Equipment and apparel brands, media companies, and pro tours are banking on the sport producing transcendent stars. A storybook contrast atop the men’s field promises hope of a breakout. Tyson McGuffin, the intense, charismatic, tatted-up pride of Idaho, was dethroned in 2019 by Ben Johns, who won the national men’s singles title as a junior at the University of Maryland after playing for only three and a half years. Johns’s play inspires and frustrates in equal measure, offering a reminder of both what is possible and how far you are from achieving it. His greatness feels effortless in the way a savant’s excellence often does. If McGuffin is Nadal, Palmer, and Ronaldo, Johns is Federer, Nicklaus, and Messi.
But greatness alone doesn’t cut it. The prize money in pickleball still can’t sustain a living. The 2021 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships in Indian Wells, California—arguably the sport’s biggest event—will feature a total purse of only $90,000. At the last games, the men’s and women’s singles champions each took home a modest $2,500 for their efforts. While Johns, almost certainly the world’s best compensated player, has estimated his current annual pay at a robust $250,000, most pros can’t sniff that sort of haul.
Teaching and sponsorships often provide the most reliable sources of income. Coach, promote, compete. It’s a grind even the top players must endure. Compare Johns’s earnings to his fellow niche-sport GOAT, disc-golf legend Paul McBeth—who recently nabbed a single endorsement deal worth a guaranteed $10 million—and you’ll see how far pickleball lags behind.
Even if other alternative sports, from darts to cornhole, enjoy higher paydays or more TV airtime, pickleball might beat them to the ultimate prize. In May, the Montreal Gazette noted that pickleball has been called the fastest growing sport in Canada. The International Federation of Pickleball currently boasts 60 member countries, and a swelling global presence has inspired enthusiasts to lobby the International Olympic Committee for inclusion. A dream that might have appeared farcical only a few years ago suddenly feels plausible. If break dancing can head slide into Paris 2024, there’s a banger’s chance pickleball can bring the dink to the 2028 Los Angeles games.
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We would love to see more availability to play pickleball in Maui. Currently there are not enough places to play the game. The courts are already in place and can be shared by tennis and pickleball players alike.
Sincerely,
Chris McNeil
At the conclusion of today's 3 hour meeting (with most of it, 2.5 hours, consisting of public testimony reiterating the eComments below), the Members finally questioned the Parks & Rec Director, and it sounds like the "concrete action plan" is to simply study the situation for $50k -- how the courts are currently used and a survey of what sports residents are interested in -- and then sometime in 1-2 years reconvene for the results. The Members seemed content with that.
How disappointing. Is that really the takeaway here? It is WAY past time studying/talking about it. The issue and need is quite documented, and there were many hours that went into today's meeting with both the tennis and pickleball communities clearly articulating the issue (with written and oral testimony).
Now it's time for action -- identifying new dedicated places for pickleballers to play (e.g., indoor gyms, private-public partnerships, possibly some neglected & isolated tennis courts), and in the meantime clear & enforced rules by Parks & Rec to ensure the availability and quality of play for both communities while minimizing conflict.
Where do we go from here? Can there be a task force created asap representing both communities plus Parks & Rec and County Committee representation to prioritize and implement solutions?
Mahalo.
Aloha,
When I first started to play pickle ball at Waipulani Park, approximately 5 years ago, we had to call a group of people just to get 4 people out to play. Now when we play we have all the courts being used with many people signed up on the board waiting to play.
Pickleball has exploded!!!
I respectfully request that the county acts on the need for more Pickleball courts to keep up with the demand.
Mahalo.
Pickle ball is a great fitness opportunity for kupuna that want to stay active and healthy. I enjoy pickle ball and the community of pickle ball players on Maui who always accept new players and support each other. Please keep this opportunity for older citizens and keiki to stay active and stay healthy. My name is Chuck Davis and I live in the Wailuku area.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US and Maui is no exception! There is a huge following on the island and a high need for more dedicated pickleball all over the island.
Please make this a priority! I know the name of the sport is comical but the need for additional support is not! Mahalo for your consideration!
Pickleball is a very popular and growing sport here on the island with lots of locals and visitors who enjoy the fun sport. It has brought lots of friendships and fun times. Please add more pickleball courts to the island.
Mahalo!
Please work to develop dedicated pickle ball courts without taking tennis facilities.
Consider renovating unused tennis courts (Pukalani, Haliimaile, Eddie Tam) for pickle ball.
More recreational facilities will benefit our health and economy.
With hundreds and hundreds of pickleball players on Maui, we find ourselves unable to play without very long wait times or at all. We need designated new courts and/or permanent lines on courts that exist for tennis or basketball, such as in Ha'iku at the field house. While there may be 10 basketball players per week on those courts, we have documented a hundred or more pickleball players on those same courts weekly. We request that either funding for new courts upcountry be made available or permanent lines on all the courts that currently are available to tennis players. Mahalo.
As an avid Picklball player, I support more dedicated courts, especially up country.
Kihei courts are in terrible shape and need some serious love
And expansion.
As a tennis player and pickleball player, I appreciate both perspectives. We need more dedicated Pickleball courts. Putting lines on tennis courts for Pickleball use is not a viable option. We use tape that we remove at the Kula tennis courts, and that works well as an interim measure, until dedicated courts can be built. But we have to provide our own nets and tape. We need at least 4 courts in the Kula Community Center area to accommodate the increasing numbers we are seeing each week. Another good interim measure would be posted times for Pickleball use at the Kula courts, until dedicated courts can be built.
My last comment is: don’t put Pickleball courts in windy areas!
I just started to play pickleball. We are in need of dedicated pickleball courts in Central Maui. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have as many as 30 and more people coming to play.
Thank you.
I started playing Pickleball due to my knee injury acquired playing tennis. So many Tennis players are avid Pickleball players now. They can do both sports but tend to play PB because the court is half the size of the Tennis court. You can get 2 PB courts or more from 1 tennis court.
PB is a nationwide and global sport. It's great for the aging population who can no longer play Tennis but want and need to keep active to keep their body and mind active. It is tremendous for people with Parkinson's by keeping this disease at bay. I have a friend who shuffles and they have been playing throughout the pandemic and their health has stabilized as this sport keeps their mind, eye-hand coordination, and body moving and thinking. It's been a lifesaver for this family. Rock Steady Boxing is known to help Parkinson's too but you need 2 people to do this. With PB being played universally, you just show up and rotate in.
We have been playing PB all over the nation. We just find a park and rotate in. You do not need a partner to play. That's the wonderful beauty of this phenomenal sport that has taken the nation by storm in recent years.
PB is a sport for all ages. I have played 8-year-olds that can serve and hit the ball better than myself. That is simply amazing! I have played 77 and 86 year olds that play better than me. They come from a tennis background and they are able to excel in PB where they can no longer do so in Tennis. This is the Sport of the Decade! Maui should focus on building the next generation in sports facilities and host tournaments and matches just as FL, Las Vegas NV, Indio/Palm Springs CA; Utah, Bend OR, Phoenix AZ, and the other States that are now capitalizing on this new and upcoming sport. PB is where Snowboarding was. If Maui becomes a host for this warm weather sport, it will generate jobs, hotel revenue, and the trickle-down effect.
We definitely need more dedicated and shared facilities for Pickleball. Tennis and Pickleball courts can co-exist and are intertwined with each other yet separate. The best reason for Maui needing more dedicated PB court facilities is that all ages can play year-round and you do not need a partner. You just rotate in. That is how the game is played. The PB community teaches new players whenever they show up to learn and play. This is universal and experienced nationwide.
Maui has the opportunity to LEAD by example and be at the forefront of leading the State of HI into the future with this the hottest and fastest-growing sport in the World. Just google or search Youtube for Pickleball and watch the Pro's play. You will see why this sport is so addicting and you may find yourself on the court playing one day soon.
The PB community island-wide sincerely implores our governing County Officials to seriously consider and implement more dedicated sports facilities for our residents and visitors alike. Thank you for receiving testimony and comments to better enable you to serve the community.
Respectfully and with warmest regards, Diane Pool
Although pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, tennis is a long-established sport with a rich heritage. It takes many years and countless matches to become even marginally good. By carving up dedicated tennis courts to accommodate pickleball — an activity that defaces the courts with distracting lines and distorted nets — is an affront and disservice to tennis players who devote incredible amounts of time and resources in pursuit of excellence in this sport. The public courts on Maui are classified as tennis courts, not multipurpose courts; please keep it that way and give pickleball its own dedicated play areas. Mahalo for your consideration of this heartfelt request — it’s the right thing to do for all concerned.
I do not see a problem with enough facilities for pickle ball and tennis if the parks department had some vision and pro active planning. For starters why are most of the gyms not being utilized for pickleball (Eddie Tam, Wailuku Gyms, Kula Gym, Haiku Field House, etc. etc.). Tennis and pickleball players consist of citizens who just want facilities to do their thing. Our county parks department is not providing this for whatever reason. In Haiku my wife and I have been trying for over 1 1/2 yrs. for permanent pickleball lines at the Haiku Fieldhouse with no success. What I am trying to say is that a huge part of the problem is with the parks department and there lack of doing which is fueling the tension between tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Both tennis and pickleball in my opinion are great sports and it is sad when either is demonized.
I absolutely support the suggestion of building more Pickleball courts on Maui. Many of the existing courts are simply re-lined tennis courts which is not optimal for play, and puts pickleball players 'in competition' with tennis players for the courts. Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and the need for more courts will only continue to increase. Please add more Pickleball courts on Maui so that both tennis players and pickleball players can continue to enjoy their respective sports. Thanks!
I used to be an avid tennis player but took years for me to become proficient enough just to have a good rally. On my first day I felt comfortable playing pickleball and has now become my primary activity. I enjoy the camaraderie and exercise that pickleball affords across all age groups. Tennis is a great sport but limits players with mobility issues but pickleball is a much more accessible game for seniors. It's shocking to see as many as SIXTEEN pickleball players on a single tennis court. I would use Sunset Park in Las Vegas as an example of how successful pickleball courts are for a community (https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/11/pickleball-popularity-las-vegas-sunset-park-venue/).
I strongly encourage the county to build some new pickleball courts at all park locations - several courts can be built in the same space as a single tennis court. I never see anyone playing tennis at any of the tennis courts at the parks - there is really no reason not convert existing courts to pickleball courts or build new pickleball courts. Just go to any public court (Kihei or Kula Community Center) and count the number of players showing up for pickleball vs tennis.
Ben. Makawao, HI.
Aloha; I am a novice Pickle ball player who absolutely loves to play. As I am over 60, this activity gives e a terrific way to meet people as I live a very solitary life. It also gives me a good amount of weight bearing exercise; so important as we age. However, I have yet to find a Pickleball court in Haiku or anywhere nearby that has a lot of "open" hours for drop in play. Please add more Pickleball courts for all to enjoy! Mahalo! Melinda Walker, Haiku
Aloha,
The dissension between Pickleball and tennis players has become an embarrassing and unnecessary battle. Many, mainly Pickleball
players, have completely quit the activity or at the very least chosen not to encounter the bullies. This is not our ways, there is plenty
for everyone, maybe not as much as one group or another would like, yet enough for us ADULTS to treat one another with respect and Aloha.
Parks and Rec: Eia au, eia 'oe
Living Intentionally,
Bonnie Jones @ bonniejonesfinancialcoaching.com