Pickleball Passion ™
My two major "outside-of-family" passions, are high tech and Pickleball. This web page and my Blog referenced below are dedicated to Pickleball in 2022, as opposed to the rest of my Chartwell Group website which is dedicated to business - mostly high tech, mobile, and social networking.
This page includes Local and International Pickleball information and links designed for all of you who are currently totally addicted to this sport, and all of you who soon will be. There is no escape!
2022 marks Pickleball's 57th anniversary where every State in the US and every Canadian Province now have multiple venues totalling approximately 1100 locations, adding 70+ every month in 2021 alone. This has resulted in a growth rate of 39.3% over 2 years, which prompted the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) in it's February 2022 Topline Participation Report to pronounce that Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US (and Canada).
Where and how we play the game has just as rapidly changed as the APP and PPA professional tours increase their coverage, sponsors like Head are kicking in big time, facilities are springing up everywhere and you can watch your favourite pros (or get tips galore) as this TV-friendly game is now being seen not only on ESPN/PPA and You Tube but also the Tennis Channel! Board the Pickleball Express before it passes you by... GET PICKLED!
This page includes Local and International Pickleball information and links designed for all of you who are currently totally addicted to this sport, and all of you who soon will be. There is no escape!
2022 marks Pickleball's 57th anniversary where every State in the US and every Canadian Province now have multiple venues totalling approximately 1100 locations, adding 70+ every month in 2021 alone. This has resulted in a growth rate of 39.3% over 2 years, which prompted the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) in it's February 2022 Topline Participation Report to pronounce that Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US (and Canada).
Where and how we play the game has just as rapidly changed as the APP and PPA professional tours increase their coverage, sponsors like Head are kicking in big time, facilities are springing up everywhere and you can watch your favourite pros (or get tips galore) as this TV-friendly game is now being seen not only on ESPN/PPA and You Tube but also the Tennis Channel! Board the Pickleball Express before it passes you by... GET PICKLED!
Pickleball Passion™ Blog Introduction
In our blog postings on Chartwell Group's Pickleball Passion™ Blog ("Our Blog" tab) we provide topical and interesting news and views on the state of Pickleball today, some training content (particularly new 2022 viewpoints and tips) from those who really know, and what we might expect in the future in this exponentially growing sport, and its state of play. We explore the why's and therefore's. We investigate the Triple A nature of the sport of Pickleball: "Anywhere, Anytime, and Always"!
We also present arguments to counter today's persistent Myths surrounding this wonderful sport. As Pickleball currently enjoys exponential growth and popularity, it's hard to realize that a mere 15 years ago it was a sport played by mostly retired folks (in deference we do not say "seniors"). However today, enthusiasts of all generations, ages, skill sets and backgrounds are joining those of us who are already addicted and the game is changing even more rapidly in 2022. But unfortunately not some of the early societal "impressions" of what Pickleball is!! Ergo, my 10 Pickleball Passion™ Blog ("Our Blog" tab) Myth Busters of which we have posted 8 of the 10, and #9 soon to come...
Overall, we just try to mimic the fun we all have in continuing to enjoy, make happy noise, meet new friends and lead a healthy lifestyle. And above all, up to 1,000 calories burned in a 2 hour match = a pint or glass of your favourite beverage after without feeling guilty (as if we do)!
The author David Snell has competed in paddle/racquet sports all his life, starting with handball (wait a minute, no paddle/racquet there?), paddleball, racketball, tennis and squash, with an emphasis on competitive level Canadian Provincial and occasional National squash. Then with the advent of Covid, new Pickleball outdoor courts built at the Club and body parts that had well surpassed nature's warrantees, a try at this new game with a willing partner created a passion that he wants to share with whomever will listen. He hopes this will inform those who don't know and have never played, those that are new to the sport and its addiction, and perhaps consolidate and provide new and topical 2022 updates to those of you who play now at various levels.
As always, please provide feedback in whatever fashion you see fit as I am always looking to improve my Pickleball coverage and to research new topics of interest. Play on and in all cases, ENJOY AND BE WELL!!
We also present arguments to counter today's persistent Myths surrounding this wonderful sport. As Pickleball currently enjoys exponential growth and popularity, it's hard to realize that a mere 15 years ago it was a sport played by mostly retired folks (in deference we do not say "seniors"). However today, enthusiasts of all generations, ages, skill sets and backgrounds are joining those of us who are already addicted and the game is changing even more rapidly in 2022. But unfortunately not some of the early societal "impressions" of what Pickleball is!! Ergo, my 10 Pickleball Passion™ Blog ("Our Blog" tab) Myth Busters of which we have posted 8 of the 10, and #9 soon to come...
Overall, we just try to mimic the fun we all have in continuing to enjoy, make happy noise, meet new friends and lead a healthy lifestyle. And above all, up to 1,000 calories burned in a 2 hour match = a pint or glass of your favourite beverage after without feeling guilty (as if we do)!
The author David Snell has competed in paddle/racquet sports all his life, starting with handball (wait a minute, no paddle/racquet there?), paddleball, racketball, tennis and squash, with an emphasis on competitive level Canadian Provincial and occasional National squash. Then with the advent of Covid, new Pickleball outdoor courts built at the Club and body parts that had well surpassed nature's warrantees, a try at this new game with a willing partner created a passion that he wants to share with whomever will listen. He hopes this will inform those who don't know and have never played, those that are new to the sport and its addiction, and perhaps consolidate and provide new and topical 2022 updates to those of you who play now at various levels.
As always, please provide feedback in whatever fashion you see fit as I am always looking to improve my Pickleball coverage and to research new topics of interest. Play on and in all cases, ENJOY AND BE WELL!!
Pickleball on the North Shore, Vancouver BC
Hollyburn Country Club, West Vancouver BC... With 4 dedicated outdoor courts and up to 6 shared indoor courts in the gym, Hollyburn's 800+ Pickleball enthusiasts are a dedicated bunch. As seen below, whether it is 5 degrees or 40 degrees C, rain or shine, we are out there playing! Steve Deakin Canada's number 1 ranked player, world number 5 and a BC native, recently hosted a well attended and popular skills training clinic and now it's up to us to remember and practice. Steve has recently been signed by the APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) tour and we look forward to watching his ongoing successes.
Jeff Boag is the Squash and Pickleball Professional at Hollyburn. Growing up playing competitive squash in Canada Jeff's love for the sport turned from competing to coaching. He has been coaching squash at the Hollyburn Country Club since 2001 and in 2019 added the title of Pickleball Coach and Program Director. As so many others have already done Jeff has been hooked on the sport of Pickleball and has continued his passions for competing and coaching. Currently listed as a 4.5 player and certified as an IPTPA Level 1 Instructor. If you, a small group or your pickleball club wants to improve please contact Jeff to learn about a variety of available lessons, clinic packages and demo days.
Cheryl Young is another of the Pickleball coaches at both Hollyburn Country Club and the Whistler Racquet Club. Cheryl's coaching style is centered around gaining a competitive edge through specific play and skill analysis, while encouraging a fun and supportive atmosphere. She implements drills specific to her client's goals, ensuring that players walk away with tactics they can use in everyday game play.
Hollyburn members have formed a Pickleball Passion™ Private Facebook Group for all things Pickleball at Hollyburn and elsewhere. Focus is on Club events, tips and tricks, common interests, pics and videos, training opportunities with the pros, tournaments and news.
Hollyburn has recently become an Associated Club with PickleballBC and Pickleball Canada (see below) all to help promote and facilitate Pickleball in BC and throughout Canada, and to support efforts such as: encouraging members to join Pickleball Canada; officiating training and certification; youth programs; hosting of sanctioned Canadian tournaments; and possible grants.
Rain or shine, hot and cold, sunny or not -
we play Pickleball as witnessed below!!
we play Pickleball as witnessed below!!
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Outdoor FUN In January/February - with Vancouver SUN!!
January in Vancouver!!
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C40 degrees in Summer - no problem!!
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Really - in the rain??? Coach Deakin at Hollyburn
North Shore Pickleball Club...North Shore Public Pickleball began with a vision of Lilly and Ed Orlovsky. They spent winters in Arizona where Pickleball was the game of choice and it wasn’t long before they too became addicted to the game. In 2007, Lilly and Ed contacted Parkgate and West Vancouver Recreation centers to lobby for playing times. In the very beginning at Parkgate, they played with three nets and hoped they would have enough players to fill the courts.
Fast forward a couple of years and as people on the North Shore began to hear about pickleball, the game exploded and now there are multiple public outdoor courts, community gyms and other ad hoc courts where thousands of North Shore BC residents play year round.
North Shore Winter Club (NSWC)...The growth of pickleball in Canada and the USA has significantly surpassed the numbers in squash and racquetball. The game is played both indoors and outdoors on a court the same size as a badminton doubles court using paddles, a plastic perforated ball and a net that is two inches lower than a tennis net.
Pickleball is an addictively fun and yet challenging game that can be quickly enjoyed by all ages and abilities. In 2021 to respond to members' demand, there are 4 new pickleball courts located in the upper indoor tennis court area of the NSWC club. Two squash courts were removed and two permanent pickleball courts were created in that space. To add to the two additional courts, pickleball lines were painted on tennis court #7. All 6 pickleball courts have roll-out and lock-in place nets.
Mountainside Pickleball League
League Objectives are to provide a simple structured pier level system of play with a minimal amount of management required. Eligibility requirements are: Member Pickleball BC; Regular North Shore pickleball player; and a Skill level 3.5 or better. As outlined on the link below, teams composition can be any gender mix, and be two (2) people, with a possible 3rd as an alternate.
More information and the site for Team Applications can be found here. 2022 registrations are now closed.
League Objectives are to provide a simple structured pier level system of play with a minimal amount of management required. Eligibility requirements are: Member Pickleball BC; Regular North Shore pickleball player; and a Skill level 3.5 or better. As outlined on the link below, teams composition can be any gender mix, and be two (2) people, with a possible 3rd as an alternate.
More information and the site for Team Applications can be found here. 2022 registrations are now closed.
North Vancouver Recreation & Culture
As one example of what is happening in community centers in Vancouver, the North Shore and across BC, Delbrook Community Center in North Vancouver transformed their gym into 6 Pickleball courts. Wiley H. the current newsletter editor for the North Shore Writers' Association says that Pickleball develops your fundamental physical skills for agility, balance, coordination and speed. She believes that these are a few of the benefits:
As one example of what is happening in community centers in Vancouver, the North Shore and across BC, Delbrook Community Center in North Vancouver transformed their gym into 6 Pickleball courts. Wiley H. the current newsletter editor for the North Shore Writers' Association says that Pickleball develops your fundamental physical skills for agility, balance, coordination and speed. She believes that these are a few of the benefits:
- Strengthen hand-eye coordination
- Challenge the reflexes
- Improve speed and agility
- Low joint stress from the light paddle, ball and wooden gym or vinyl covered floor
- Great memory workout especially with doubles play – players have to track who is serving and call out each point before serving
- No need to bring equipment (paddles, balls and nets provided)
- No need to pre-arrange partners (everyone is welcome, mix-and-matched and rotated from game to game)
- Highly social and great way to meet new friends!
West Vancouver Municipality To "Move" Outdoor Courts - Noise Issue??
At a recent District of West Vancouver Council meeting (earlier meeting): Council members voted to close very popular and well-used outdoor Pickleball courts because neighbours complained about the noise - in spite of new restrictions on court times so as not to effect the families nearby! So reverting back to tennis courts is going to reduce the noise significantly enough to close these popular Pickleball courts with no near-future solution to fill the need that's even recognized by the Council decided on??
What's next, closing beaches because of the noise kids make in the playground at Dundarave Beach near residential housing - give me a break.
February 10th UPDATE: See my Blog posted following this - 2 weeks after another vote that had worse consequences, West Van Council met and voted yet once again to reverse their decisions and put in temporary courts by the time 29th St closes!!
Don't mess with Pickleball enthusiasts or you will get paddled and this year is an election year so let's see if you end up in the "kitchen"!!
At a recent District of West Vancouver Council meeting (earlier meeting): Council members voted to close very popular and well-used outdoor Pickleball courts because neighbours complained about the noise - in spite of new restrictions on court times so as not to effect the families nearby! So reverting back to tennis courts is going to reduce the noise significantly enough to close these popular Pickleball courts with no near-future solution to fill the need that's even recognized by the Council decided on??
What's next, closing beaches because of the noise kids make in the playground at Dundarave Beach near residential housing - give me a break.
February 10th UPDATE: See my Blog posted following this - 2 weeks after another vote that had worse consequences, West Van Council met and voted yet once again to reverse their decisions and put in temporary courts by the time 29th St closes!!
Don't mess with Pickleball enthusiasts or you will get paddled and this year is an election year so let's see if you end up in the "kitchen"!!
Pickleball in Whistler BC
Whistler Racket Club (WRC):
With 8 indoor courts, 4 outdoor courts and plenty of open play sessions and social mixers, pickleball is quickly becoming a crowd favourite at the WRC. Here at the Whistler Racket Club we believe in connecting with our community and visitors through sport, recreation and one of the best cafe and patio scenes in town. From our indoor tennis/pickleball dome to our axe throwing/snowball fight zones and spacious Courtside Cafe patio & bar, the WRC is the place for all to come and play.
The WRC group is composed of longtime locals with professional experience in the sport, recreation and entertainment industry... and we do it safely. The Whistler community and its visitors are back at a revitalized Whistler Racket Club, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.
Saturday March 26th & Sunday March 27th is the WRC’s Deakin Winter Classic Tournament featuring a Saturday night PB Champions vs. Steve Deakin (one of Canada's top pros) Exhibition. Also featured….the Whistler Pickleball Club tournament dinner party & fundraiser!
Cheryl Young is one of the Pickleball coaches at both Hollyburn Country Club and the Whistler Racquet Club. Cheryl's coaching style is centered around gaining a competitive edge through specific play and skill analysis, while encouraging a fun and supportive atmosphere. She implements drills specific to her client's goals, ensuring that players walk away with tactics they can use in everyday game play.
With 8 indoor courts, 4 outdoor courts and plenty of open play sessions and social mixers, pickleball is quickly becoming a crowd favourite at the WRC. Here at the Whistler Racket Club we believe in connecting with our community and visitors through sport, recreation and one of the best cafe and patio scenes in town. From our indoor tennis/pickleball dome to our axe throwing/snowball fight zones and spacious Courtside Cafe patio & bar, the WRC is the place for all to come and play.
The WRC group is composed of longtime locals with professional experience in the sport, recreation and entertainment industry... and we do it safely. The Whistler community and its visitors are back at a revitalized Whistler Racket Club, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.
Saturday March 26th & Sunday March 27th is the WRC’s Deakin Winter Classic Tournament featuring a Saturday night PB Champions vs. Steve Deakin (one of Canada's top pros) Exhibition. Also featured….the Whistler Pickleball Club tournament dinner party & fundraiser!
Cheryl Young is one of the Pickleball coaches at both Hollyburn Country Club and the Whistler Racquet Club. Cheryl's coaching style is centered around gaining a competitive edge through specific play and skill analysis, while encouraging a fun and supportive atmosphere. She implements drills specific to her client's goals, ensuring that players walk away with tactics they can use in everyday game play.
Associations and Professional Tours
World Pickleball Federation (WPF):
The mission of the WPF is to direct pickleball’s future as a globally recognized sport and provide effective organizational structure and leadership while raising the visibility of pickleball through major international competitions. Also to govern the infrastructure of pickleball through coaching, equipment, rule improvements, refereeing, and event management, and to announce the year end top pickleball players in the world.
A recent announcement as follows: "We are sorry to announce that we need to postpone our first Annual General Meeting (AGM) planned for January 2022. We have a number of initiatives we thought would be finalized by now but we are still waiting on confirmations. We think the right thing to do is to postpone the meeting. This will also enable us to extend the deadline for the Volunteer of the Year nominations. A new date will be advised as soon as possible."
Of interest, The World Pickleball Games is the first true team competition in pickleball, where each competing country’s federation selects a minimum of 8 players (4 men, 4 women) & maximum of 12 players plus a coach to represent their country in the competition. This competition demonstrates that pickleball is getting ready for the Olympics.
The team format consists of men’s doubles and singles, women’s doubles and singles, along with mixed doubles. Pickleball has always been represented by both men and women in tournaments. WPF will continue to reinforce this tradition in team competition as it is unique to pickleball.
The WPF originally scheduled the Games for May 2022 believing that International Travel will be back by then. Recent weeks have demonstrated that there isn’t a general opening up of travel and that the picture is becoming quite complex (new waves in different countries, complex outbound/inbound rules by country). We see this as a major barrier for the World Pickleball Games and to countries signing up. We therefore, reluctantly recommended to the WPF Board that we postpone the World Pickleball Games until 2023. The Board approved this recommendation. The Board further approved that the 50+ players competition will be included in the 2023 event. There will also be an exhibition event for the Juniors.
The mission of the WPF is to direct pickleball’s future as a globally recognized sport and provide effective organizational structure and leadership while raising the visibility of pickleball through major international competitions. Also to govern the infrastructure of pickleball through coaching, equipment, rule improvements, refereeing, and event management, and to announce the year end top pickleball players in the world.
A recent announcement as follows: "We are sorry to announce that we need to postpone our first Annual General Meeting (AGM) planned for January 2022. We have a number of initiatives we thought would be finalized by now but we are still waiting on confirmations. We think the right thing to do is to postpone the meeting. This will also enable us to extend the deadline for the Volunteer of the Year nominations. A new date will be advised as soon as possible."
Of interest, The World Pickleball Games is the first true team competition in pickleball, where each competing country’s federation selects a minimum of 8 players (4 men, 4 women) & maximum of 12 players plus a coach to represent their country in the competition. This competition demonstrates that pickleball is getting ready for the Olympics.
The team format consists of men’s doubles and singles, women’s doubles and singles, along with mixed doubles. Pickleball has always been represented by both men and women in tournaments. WPF will continue to reinforce this tradition in team competition as it is unique to pickleball.
The WPF originally scheduled the Games for May 2022 believing that International Travel will be back by then. Recent weeks have demonstrated that there isn’t a general opening up of travel and that the picture is becoming quite complex (new waves in different countries, complex outbound/inbound rules by country). We see this as a major barrier for the World Pickleball Games and to countries signing up. We therefore, reluctantly recommended to the WPF Board that we postpone the World Pickleball Games until 2023. The Board approved this recommendation. The Board further approved that the 50+ players competition will be included in the 2023 event. There will also be an exhibition event for the Juniors.
International Federation of Pickleball (IPF): International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was created in 2010 to perpetuate the international growth and development of pickleball. Inaugural member countries: USA, Canada (Pickleball Canada), Spain, and India came on board in 2012. Since then, the IFP has expanded its footprint to over 60 member countries and growing, as new countries join the IFP to work toward our goal for pickleball be recognized as an Olympic sport.
The IFP has experienced a phenomenal 360% increase in member countries since 2019. IFP Directors are volunteer leaders, responsible for programs that set the global standard for pickleball throughout the world, ranging from training IFP Certified Instructors, to IFP World Ambassadors to IFP Grant Programs that supply much-needed equipment to remote countries.
Included in their Aims and Objectives are maintenance and publishing of the decisive text on Pickleball Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, introducing such changes as are desirable, doing all that is necessary to uphold them and to achieve uniform interpretation.
All IFP Aims and Objectives can be seen here and the current edition of Pickleball Fire is posted online in a flip book here.
The IFP has experienced a phenomenal 360% increase in member countries since 2019. IFP Directors are volunteer leaders, responsible for programs that set the global standard for pickleball throughout the world, ranging from training IFP Certified Instructors, to IFP World Ambassadors to IFP Grant Programs that supply much-needed equipment to remote countries.
Included in their Aims and Objectives are maintenance and publishing of the decisive text on Pickleball Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, introducing such changes as are desirable, doing all that is necessary to uphold them and to achieve uniform interpretation.
All IFP Aims and Objectives can be seen here and the current edition of Pickleball Fire is posted online in a flip book here.
The Five Golden Rules of Pickleball - Sponsored by IPF
Pickleball BC: PICKLEBALLBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of pickleball in British Columbia. Goals are to encourage people of all skill levels and abilities to play pickleball and experience the benefits of an active life style together with the unique social aspects of this sport.
Priorities are as follows:
PICKLEBALLBC is the official representative of the Pickleball Canada Organization (PCO) in BC. We will encourage and enable PICKLEBALLBC members to become PCO members. The best way to join PICKLEBALLBC is through your local club or association. For a list of clubs and associations visit our Where To Play page. If there are no local clubs or organizations in your area or your Club is not affiliated yet, visit the PICKLEBALLBC website Membership page for an online individual Membership Application form. You get two for the price of one - Pickleball BC and Canada!
Priorities are as follows:
- Our priority is to create a provincial structure that reflects the diverse needs of players province wide.
- To create and maintain communication opportunities with and for members.
- To promote the growth of clubs and organizations across BC.
- To advocate for and encourage the development of Club, Provincial and National rating systems.
- To adopt and implement a software program to facilitate membership registrations, payment disbursements and membership communications.
- Support the development of a Canadian referee curriculum and educational process.
- Support the development of a Canadian, Western Canadian and BC tournament structure.
- To continue to update and maintain the PICKLEBALLBC website.
PICKLEBALLBC is the official representative of the Pickleball Canada Organization (PCO) in BC. We will encourage and enable PICKLEBALLBC members to become PCO members. The best way to join PICKLEBALLBC is through your local club or association. For a list of clubs and associations visit our Where To Play page. If there are no local clubs or organizations in your area or your Club is not affiliated yet, visit the PICKLEBALLBC website Membership page for an online individual Membership Application form. You get two for the price of one - Pickleball BC and Canada!
Pickleball Canada: By joining Pickleball Canada, you will be making a significant contribution to the development of pickleball as a national sport organization (NSO) to help in growing the game in Canada. As the NSO, Pickleball Canada endorses the provincial/territorial pickleball organizations which supports the growth of pickleball from coast to coast to coast. Several of the benefits of our Pickleball Canada Organization are:
- Promotes pickleball as a sport in Canada
- Develops and manages coaches/instructor certification programs
- Develops and manages the national officiating certification programs in co-operation with the provincial/territorial pickleball associations
- Establishes and monitors policies on code of conduct, dispute resolution, discrimination, equity & access, conflict of interest, safe sport and anti-doping and all necessary policies for the good governance of the sport in Canada
- Will create and manage a high performance athlete development program
- Provides a single voice for Canada at the international federation [IFP] including input into new rules and regulations which affects play at all levels
- Oversees the development of para-pickleball at all levels throughout Canada.
USA Pickleball Association:
USA Pickleball is a non-profit and the official national governing body for pickleball in the U.S. The mission is to promote the development and growth of pickleball. Membership helps support growing youth and adult programs, maintaining rules and equipment standards, developing club, league and educator programs, and increasing participant opportunities in sanctioned events.The vision is to be a part of the Olympic & Paralympic Movement. Please join today, be a part of this fun, social, active community, and know that your membership supports one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. Thank you!
Gov. Jay Inslee seen below, signed Senate Bill 5615 into law Monday afternoon March 28th 2022 during a ceremony at the Bainbridge Island home-court where the sport was invented in 1965. He was joined by community members Stu Upson — the CEO of Pickleball USA — and state Sen. John Lovick, the bill’s sponsor.
Inslee began the ceremony by jokingly invoking the founding fathers, saying that all are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights. “Amongst those rights being the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of pickleball,” he said. “Hail this sport, and sing its praises from the birthplace of pickleball to the far reaches of the Earth.” As the official state sport, pickleball joins the willow goldfinch (state bird), the steelhead trout (state fish), the western hemlock (state tree), the apple (state fruit), the coast rhododendron (state flower) and the Walla Walla sweet onion (state vegetable) in the pantheon of state symbols.
@USAPickleball also announced that Pickleball is now the Official State Sport of Washington as @GovInslee signed SB 5615 today on Bainbridge Island... Congrats & #ThankYouPickleball!
USA Pickleball is a non-profit and the official national governing body for pickleball in the U.S. The mission is to promote the development and growth of pickleball. Membership helps support growing youth and adult programs, maintaining rules and equipment standards, developing club, league and educator programs, and increasing participant opportunities in sanctioned events.The vision is to be a part of the Olympic & Paralympic Movement. Please join today, be a part of this fun, social, active community, and know that your membership supports one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. Thank you!
Gov. Jay Inslee seen below, signed Senate Bill 5615 into law Monday afternoon March 28th 2022 during a ceremony at the Bainbridge Island home-court where the sport was invented in 1965. He was joined by community members Stu Upson — the CEO of Pickleball USA — and state Sen. John Lovick, the bill’s sponsor.
Inslee began the ceremony by jokingly invoking the founding fathers, saying that all are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights. “Amongst those rights being the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of pickleball,” he said. “Hail this sport, and sing its praises from the birthplace of pickleball to the far reaches of the Earth.” As the official state sport, pickleball joins the willow goldfinch (state bird), the steelhead trout (state fish), the western hemlock (state tree), the apple (state fruit), the coast rhododendron (state flower) and the Walla Walla sweet onion (state vegetable) in the pantheon of state symbols.
@USAPickleball also announced that Pickleball is now the Official State Sport of Washington as @GovInslee signed SB 5615 today on Bainbridge Island... Congrats & #ThankYouPickleball!
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)
Pickleball Central, and pickleballtournaments.com (software included) have been sold to Dundon Capital Partners led by Tom Dundon. Dundon is the owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and was chairman of the Alliance of American Football league that was short-lived in 2019.
This purchase is groundbreaking on the pickleball landscape and unites two of the major forces in pickleball. Pickleball Central and its affiliate pickleballtournaments.com under one roof with the PPA gives the Dundon group a controlling stake of what professional pickleball will look like moving forward.
Dundon is a pickleball fanatic so we have to assume the game is in good hands. Commissioner and tour co-founder Connor Pardoe will stay on and help run the league for at least the next three years. His guidance has helped bring the game into the spotlight and this financial backing will help grow the game to even greater heights. A major owner from one of the major 4 sports means bigger things for pickleball. The Hurricanes are sponsored by PNC Bank, Lenovo, Invisalign, and other local sponsors. The connections of the Dundon Capital group could help bring in large sponsors like these and members of their portfolio like Carvana to pickleball. This would build off the success that the PPA has already experienced.
More recently and as reported in No Man's Land Pickleball, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) has been making some big waves in the sport. They have locked up at least 22 of the best players, including Canada's top pro Steve Deakin, to play almost exclusively on the PPA and have gone their own route with the serve rules for the pro division in 2022. Apparently, there has been much more going on behind the scenes as we have received information that the Pardoe family has sold the PPA to Tom Dundon. We are also told that Connor Pardoe has retained some equity in the PPA and will stay on to help run things in some capacity for a period of at least 3 years, possibly more.
Pickleball Central, and pickleballtournaments.com (software included) have been sold to Dundon Capital Partners led by Tom Dundon. Dundon is the owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and was chairman of the Alliance of American Football league that was short-lived in 2019.
This purchase is groundbreaking on the pickleball landscape and unites two of the major forces in pickleball. Pickleball Central and its affiliate pickleballtournaments.com under one roof with the PPA gives the Dundon group a controlling stake of what professional pickleball will look like moving forward.
Dundon is a pickleball fanatic so we have to assume the game is in good hands. Commissioner and tour co-founder Connor Pardoe will stay on and help run the league for at least the next three years. His guidance has helped bring the game into the spotlight and this financial backing will help grow the game to even greater heights. A major owner from one of the major 4 sports means bigger things for pickleball. The Hurricanes are sponsored by PNC Bank, Lenovo, Invisalign, and other local sponsors. The connections of the Dundon Capital group could help bring in large sponsors like these and members of their portfolio like Carvana to pickleball. This would build off the success that the PPA has already experienced.
More recently and as reported in No Man's Land Pickleball, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) has been making some big waves in the sport. They have locked up at least 22 of the best players, including Canada's top pro Steve Deakin, to play almost exclusively on the PPA and have gone their own route with the serve rules for the pro division in 2022. Apparently, there has been much more going on behind the scenes as we have received information that the Pardoe family has sold the PPA to Tom Dundon. We are also told that Connor Pardoe has retained some equity in the PPA and will stay on to help run things in some capacity for a period of at least 3 years, possibly more.
The Association of Pickleball Professionals
With the exploding popularity of pickleball, Ken Herrmann CEO and Creatiive Founder, has a vision of creating a series of tournaments where individuals could set performance goals, track results, and play against peers in a sanctioned tour environment while adhering to all USA Pickleball guidelines. The 2022 APP Tour has more than $1.7M in prize money for professional athletes. The Tour encourages, all player athletes (professional and amateur) to play in our global tournaments to qualify for the season ending championship, The APP Masters.
The 2022 APP Tour has 32 tournaments scheduled throughout the world. "Our purpose is to confirm that all player athletes, professional and amateur, have access to our competitive APP tournaments".
Results from the APP survey of the most popular 6 Pros in 2021 are pictured above.
Player standings with Canadian pro Steve Deakin in the top 18 up to the 2022 Plantation Open are:
With the exploding popularity of pickleball, Ken Herrmann CEO and Creatiive Founder, has a vision of creating a series of tournaments where individuals could set performance goals, track results, and play against peers in a sanctioned tour environment while adhering to all USA Pickleball guidelines. The 2022 APP Tour has more than $1.7M in prize money for professional athletes. The Tour encourages, all player athletes (professional and amateur) to play in our global tournaments to qualify for the season ending championship, The APP Masters.
The 2022 APP Tour has 32 tournaments scheduled throughout the world. "Our purpose is to confirm that all player athletes, professional and amateur, have access to our competitive APP tournaments".
Results from the APP survey of the most popular 6 Pros in 2021 are pictured above.
Player standings with Canadian pro Steve Deakin in the top 18 up to the 2022 Plantation Open are:
Tennis Channel & ESPN/PPA Welcome Pro Pickleball To Its Airwaves
Tennis Channel: The people have spoken, and they want pickleball. The relatively new racquet [paddle] sport continues to sweep the world, with pro tournaments packing stands and pickleball courts popping up like daisies. Last September, Tennis Channel aired its first ever live pickleball tournament, the Orlando Cup, in Orlando, Florida.
“Pickleball’s unprecedented growth in recent years has been on Tennis Channel’s radar for a while,” said John MacDonald, senior vice president, content programming, Tennis Channel. “It’s an exciting sport that we think will greatly appeal to our viewers, 70% of whom play tennis recreationally, with a good number of them playing pickleball as well. We’re pleased to welcome the PPA Tour to our network and look forward to cooperating in the future.”
The tournament featured No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns, who is the top ranked pickleballer in the world by a significant margin.
ESPN/PPA:
Tennis Channel: The people have spoken, and they want pickleball. The relatively new racquet [paddle] sport continues to sweep the world, with pro tournaments packing stands and pickleball courts popping up like daisies. Last September, Tennis Channel aired its first ever live pickleball tournament, the Orlando Cup, in Orlando, Florida.
“Pickleball’s unprecedented growth in recent years has been on Tennis Channel’s radar for a while,” said John MacDonald, senior vice president, content programming, Tennis Channel. “It’s an exciting sport that we think will greatly appeal to our viewers, 70% of whom play tennis recreationally, with a good number of them playing pickleball as well. We’re pleased to welcome the PPA Tour to our network and look forward to cooperating in the future.”
The tournament featured No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns, who is the top ranked pickleballer in the world by a significant margin.
ESPN/PPA:
With the broadcast announcement of ESPN, now all sports enthusiasts can easily watch professional pickleball matches. Look for announcements regarding ESPN's 2022 lineup of tournaments soon as they gear up to finish the 2021 season healthily.
PickleballMAX is the site for all of the exclusively televised PPA tournaments, strategy, wellness, gear and shopping.
PickleballMAX is the site for all of the exclusively televised PPA tournaments, strategy, wellness, gear and shopping.