David Zapatka While cruising the Mediterranean for two months, I had the opportunity to talk with many guests about pickleball. The story is the same all over the world. From Australia to Europe, from Latin America to Asia, guests said pickleball is sweeping their country, courts are being built in their cities and there’s excitement…
Tag: pickleball
Sports, November 2026
Sun Lakers Love Pickleball
David Douglas In a recent article by the Dink Media Team, the explosive growth of pickleball was the topic of the month. More than 36 million Americans now play pickleball. The surprising data revealed that the fastest growing age group discovering pickleball was 60 years old and above. Seniors are showing up to learn how…
Sports, October 2026
IronOaks Pickleball: Try It, You’ll Like It!
Linda Shanahan Pickleball is bringing IronOaks residents together from all walks of life and from many different backgrounds. Some players are highly athletic and some are simply looking for a fun way to stay active and meet new people. Regardless of your experience or athletic ability, the goal is the same: Have fun! If you’ve…
Sports, September 2026
Oakwood Pickleball Players Take It to Maui
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.
Sports, September 2026
IronOaks Pickleball—Try It, You’ll Like It!
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…
September 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Is Pickleball Really America’s Fastest-Growing Sport?
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…
Sports, August 2026
Relishing Pickleball: The Wild, Wonderful World of Pickleball
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.…
Sports, July 2026
Relishing Pickleball: Improve Your Pickleball Dinking Techniques
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…
Sports, May 2026
Norris Invitational Shines as Sun Lakes’ Premier Pickleball Event
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…
Sports, May 2026
Relishing Pickleball: Sun, Sweat, and Lobs
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.…