GEAR GUIDE 2021
Off the court , the myriad of pickleball equipment manufacturers , through research and development , have continuously looked for ways to improve products . Increased demand of play is fueling the need for enhanced weaponry — paddles are becoming lighter , more efficient and extremely durable . Competition is keen amongst the companies , but through their fervent desire to offer the very best , the real winner in all of this is the consumer .
“ There are a lot of quality paddles in the marketplace and many have a unique feel or playability . We like to provide a variety of paddles for different player types ,” says Ben Simons , Senior Business Manager for Pickleball , Racquetball & Squash , Head Penn Racquet Sports . “ We have three different series of paddles — Gravity , Radical and Extreme . All are quite different in the way they play , and each has developed a player type that enjoys playing with them . By modifying the type of core , surface , shape , thickness , weight and balance , you can create very different paddles to fit people ’ s game styles while staying within USA Pickleball requirements .”
Aside from paddles , many companies provide a onestop shop for pickleball enthusiasts — balls , footwear , eyewear , bags , teaching aids and portable nets .
From humble beginnings in 1965 on Bainbridge Island , outside of Seattle , Washington , as a way to keep their kids engaged in an activity during the summer months , three enterprising fathers further developed the sport of pickleball . Barney McCallum , one of the game ’ s original inventors , recently passed away , but lived long enough to witness firsthand their game ’ s explosive growth .
As the pandemic began sweeping across the country , more and more enterprising pickleballers began setting up makeshift courts in their neighborhoods , and those living in cul-de-sacs were the envy of newly formed recreational play . It was if the sport had returned to its original roots — a friendly backyard game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities . But , with more than a mid-century of play , pickleball has
“ COVID has turbo-charged this already fast-growing sport . The shutdown caused many people , yet to try pickleball , to pick up the sport because it is relatively safe to play , can be played in a driveway , and fun for the entire family .” — Curtis Smith , Paddletek CEO realized its notoriety well beyond the streets and nightlights in Anytown , USA .
“ We are interested in providing products that will help any player enjoy their pickleball experience no matter what they want out of the sport ,” says Simons . “ We want to make sure we ’ re doing what we can to provide a platform for any consumer to enjoy the sport .”
Based on the latest studies from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association ( SFIA ), nearly four million players are picking up paddles on a regular basis in the United States . And , to further amplify that level of participation , the total number of players has been growing by more than 10 percent over the past 10 years . COVID or no COVID , there is no slowdown in sight for pickleball .
“ It ’ s a sport that anybody can play , and it is not hard on the body as some of the other sports ,” says Ty Musser , Director of Product Development for GAMMA Sports . “ When the pandemic hit , people felt more comfortable playing because you can be outside and social distanced . You can also easily play with the people in your household . In addition , people have the ability to play pickleball almost anywhere . During the start of the pandemic , we sold a six-month supply of pickleball nets in just 45 days . People are setting up pickleball courts in their driveways and playing . The last thing is that the pickleball community is so friendly and provides open arms to welcome new players .”
Dedicated facilities for the sport have also been impacted by the onslaught of the coronavirus . Pickleballerz , a 20,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility recently opened in Chantilly , Virginia ( a suburb of Washington , D . C .), has six pickleball courts , a cafe , pro shop , and a special dinking court for warming up . The court surface is a professional cushioned hardcourt , the same used at the Australian Open tennis tournament , for a true outdoor bounce . The surface also helps protect players ’ joints from injury .
“ We were committed and already in the process of building when the pandemic really took hold . It was something we knew we had to take very seriously , but luckily we were able to handle a lot of the delays and difficulties along the way ,” says Greg Raelson , Pickleballerz co-owner . “ The biggest challenge was facing the unknown , but thankfully our area was moving in a positive direction compared to a lot of regions that were really struggling with outbreaks . We knew that