Michelle Viola Aloha Picklers Bring the Spirit of Sun Lakes to Maui! Friendship, pickleball, laughter, and the Aloha spirit! Our Sun Lakes pickleball group enjoyed unforgettable memories in Maui—from friendly matches on the courts to a traditional luau and a spectacular sunset cruise. The Aloha Picklers proved that friendship is the best travel companion.
Linda Shananhan IronOaks Pickleball Club has a unique program of Players Helping Players. Twenty-three advanced players (Drillmasters) have been trained to help those new to Pickleball or playing at lower levels. Once a week they offer a free 90 minute session by skill level to any club member who wishes to improve their skill. In…
David Zapatka Not only is the answer to that question a resounding “Yes!” but it is also an absolute phenomenon. Pickleball was named America’s fastest-growing sport for the fifth consecutive year following 2025, when data showed 24.3 million players in the U.S. alone, a 171.8% increase over the previous three years, as reported by the…
David Zapatka There’s something audacious about the name. Pickleball. Say it out loud. You can’t help but grin. It turns out that is exactly the point! Millions of people are discovering that a paddle, a whiffle-like ball, and a court the size of a badminton court can do something that gyms and wellness apps cannot.…
David Zapatka The dink is pickleball’s most nuanced shot, deceptively simple to learn, endlessly deep to master. While beginners treat it as a stopgap between rallies, advanced players weaponize it. Here’s how to transform your dinking game from passive to dominant. Elite dinks share three qualities. They land in the kitchen, stay low over the…
Not in their wildest dreams could Maureen and Dick Norris have imagined what the Sun Lakes pickleball community would one day become. Back in 2008, the couple—now the namesakes of the Norris Invitational Tournament—stood with a handful of friends in the Sisk Park parking lot, taping makeshift lines onto cracked asphalt just to create a…
David Zapatka Summer is coming and the sun is out. The sun is beautiful, but it’s also a genuine challenge on the pickleball court. We love playing in it and we occasionally curse it while squinting into a lob we’ve completely lost. Playing pickleball in the sun is a complicated relationship. You need a strategy.…
David Zapatka Wind is the great equalizer on the pickleball court. It doesn’t matter how polished your dink game is or how powerful your drive is; a stiff breeze can turn your best shots into unforced errors in a hurry. The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can use the wind…
David Zapatka Have you noticed how often people are hitting lobs these days or is it just me? Think SMASH! The overhead smash is one of the most satisfying and effective shots in pickleball. When executed well, it can end a rally immediately or put your opponents on the defensive. However, many players struggle with…
Rod Badgley Pickleball players, spectators, and community supporters alike will have something to celebrate when the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club hosts its highly anticipated NIT Tournament March 2–4. This three-day event blends exciting competition, community connection, and charitable giving, making it one of the most vibrant gatherings of the spring season. Interest continues to surge,…