courts to handle the existing players , let alone the quickly expanding interest of those hoping to start playing our amazing sport . Thankfully , across the nation , new temporary or shared pickleball facilities are being utilized until fully dedicated courts can be built to satiate this new demand .
In fact , surveys of Canadians done in 2020 and 2022 regarding several sports found an astounding growth of pickleball players in our country . Over the two-year span there was a near tripling of Canadians playing pickleball on a regular basis . As additional facilities become available for evening and weekend play , more and more young adults are coming into the sport .
The incoming demographic with the highest rate of growth is ages 18 to 34 . The survey also reported that many from this group play frequently , some three to four times per week . The data also suggests there are now a million Canadians playing pickleball at least once per month .
The survey also posed the question to participants , “ What is the reason you play pickleball ?” The majority reported the primary reason as “ fun ,” followed by “ the social aspects of the sport ” and then “ health and fitness benefits .” I can confirm that whether as a beginner or seasoned tournament player , batting that hard plastic ball back and forth provides the most
smiles and laughs of any sport I ’ ve participated in .
I ’ m not worried about pickleball suffering the same issues as racquetball because there are so many good people across the country looking after our sport . At every level , from Pickleball Canada to our provincial organizations , down to the local club , the sport of pickleball is in great hands !
And of course , the main reason pickleball will endure is it ’ s the most fun you can have on a court ! •
MAY / JUNE 2022 | MAGAZINE 71