What is pickleball?

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and is most popularly played as doubles (2v2) on a court half the size of a tennis court with an oversized ping pong paddle and a small plastic ball. The rules are a mix of tennis and ping pong and are easy and fun for all ages to play together.

As well as being the official sport of Washington State, it was also founded here.

Pickleball was born in 1965. After playing golf during the summer, Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, not far from Seattle, Washington. With bored children at home, they sought to play badminton on an old badminton court but couldn’t find the proper equipment. They improvised and played with table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball. They began with the net at a badminton net height (60 inches high) and volleyed the ball back and forth over the net.

Eventually as play progressed during the weekend, they found the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and they would eventually lower the net to 36 inches high. The following weekend, Barney McCallum joined and began playing and the three men created rules for pickleball.

Pickleball is a fun and low-impact form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and increase overall fitness. It requires quick reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, and a strong sense of spatial awareness, which can be improved through regular play! Pickleball is often played in a group setting, which makes it a great way to meet new people, socialize, and form new friendships. It requires quick thinking and strategy, which can help improve cognitive function and reduce stress. It is a simple sport that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels, making it accessible for everyone.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a paddle and get ready to battle!

Brief History

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.

The pickleball boom is real.

In recent months, star athletes ranging from LeBron James and Tom Brady to Kevin Durant and Patrick Mahomes have brought more high-profile attention to the sport by investing in professional pickleball teams.

The sport is also attracting a new wave of sponsors. Familiar names like Holland America, Anheuser-Busch, Skechers and Carvana have all signed recent pickleball deals.