PARA-PICKLEBALL’S
SMASHING
DEBUT
USAPA and Rock N Roll Pickleball
join forces at the Valor Games Far West.
I
n 2015 (and after years of debating wheelchair rules), the
USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) integrated the sport of
pickleball with the acceptance of wheelchair rules. Leading this
movement is Adrienne Barlow, a wheelchair athlete herself. In
staying true to the mission of inclusion and accessibility, the
sport was opened up to all permanent physical disabilities with
the advent of Para-Pickleball. The revolution came to light when
Rock N Roll Pickleball and the USAPA teamed together to teach
the sport to every level of ability at the Valor Games Far West.
PARA-PICKLEBALL ARRIVES
This year, after a working collaboration, the USAPA and
International Federation of Pickleball Boards officially
integrated wheelchair rules into the rulebook. With the wheels
of change spinning, the sport was opened up to all permanent
physical disabilities with the creation of para‑pickleball.
Propelling this change is the fearless wheelchair warrior,
Adrienne, who stated, “Before the advent of para-pickleball,
many challenged athletes had never been able to enjoy a racquet
sport.” Para-pickleball was created to accommodate anyone
with a permanent physical disability and provide venues of
“meaningful competition” for physically challenged athletes,
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meaning that competitions will pair athletes with similar or like
levels of impairment or ability.
ROCK N ROLL PICKLEBALL
Shortly after para-pickleball’s creation, Adrienne partnered
with “Pickleball Rocks” to take on the extra challenges of
equipping para-athletes, integrated pickleball instruction
and inclusive design of pickleball courts. She explains, “One
of the biggest hindrances to life for those with physical
disabilities isn’t a person’s reliance on assistive technology
such as prosthesis and wheelchairs, it is a lack of access and
opportunities.” With “rockers” as the standing athletes and
“rollers” as the wheelchair athletes, Rock N Roll Pickleball
teaches everyone how to play pickleball side by side, regardless
of a player’s physical abilities. “Rockers” can be disabled or
non‑disabled and “rollers” are the wheelchair athletes. Together
they Rock N Roll.
PARA-PICKLEBALL IS A SMASHING SUCCESS
AT THE VALOR GAMES FAR WEST
In June, the USAPA and Rock N Roll Pickleball joined forces
at the Valor Games Far West Para-Pickleball Demonstration
and Rock N Roll Pickleball Clinic, teaching pickleball to over
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