Aboard the Holland America Nieuw Statendam cruise ship, setting sail from Copenhagen to Rome, the classic game of shuffleboard is making way for the burgeoning popularity of Pickleball. Mike and Marga Kidd, seasoned Pickleball players from Canyon Lake, California, effortlessly sweep a match against the author and his wife, Kerry, initiating them into the competitive yet exhilarating realm of Pickleball on the high seas. Though novice players from Kelowna, B.C., the couple quickly falls in love with the sport, finding themselves amidst daily tournaments and tutorials, making the most of sea days and onshore excursions.

Meta Quest is set to launch the multiplayer VR fitness game, Pickleball One, on October 19, developed by Playin Games. This game brings the Pickleball court to players’ homes, allowing them to engage in singles or doubles matches in real time. Raghu Bathina, the CEO of Playin Games, touts Pickleball One as a revolutionary step in virtual sports, capturing the essence of Pickleball both as a game and a social experience. The game, akin to iRacing and Gran Turismo, is not merely about virtual competition but aims to help players enhance their Pickleball skills through digital practice. It incorporates a variety of drills and rhythm-based exercises, alongside tracking players' progress and gamifying the experience through achievements.

At Room & Board, a Minneapolis-based furniture retailer, the sport of Pickleball has become a part of the work culture, offering employees like Liz Martin a much-anticipated break from the routine. The company, which boasts an indoor pickleball court, allows its employees to challenge their colleagues to friendly matches, turning every other Tuesday at noon into an hour of active engagement. The initiative, which began in 2013, has seen a surge in popularity over the last two years, aligning well with the broader rise of Pickleball amid the pandemic. The sport, a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, has become a favorite, with at least 50 of the 350 employees at the headquarters engaging in the game weekly.

Line calls in Pickleball often pose a challenge, stirring discussions, and sometimes frustrations among players. A crucial part of mastering the game lies in understanding how the lines work and making accurate line calls. In essence, if the ball touches the paint that constitutes the line, it's considered 'in.' However, if it lands outside without touching the paint, it's 'out.' Much like the outfield warning track in baseball signifies the end of the field, lines in Pickleball denote the end of a court or zone. They serve as a visual guide to players, ensuring the game's fair play and maintaining its competitive spirit.

Customizing your pickleball paddle using lead tape is a game of nuances that can significantly influence your gameplay. The practice brings in a host of advantages like improved balance, enhanced sweet spot, and personalized weight distribution, which are pivotal for better control and power on the court. However, it's not devoid of downsides; incorrect tape placement can lead to unwarranted changes in paddle behavior. The essence of lead tape usage lies in its placement and the amount used, as they dictate how the paddle responds to every stroke, making the realm of taping a blend of science and personal preference in pursuing pickleball perfection.

The USA Pickleball Rules Committee annually reviews and updates the sport's rules based on suggestions from players nationwide. For 2023, several significant rule changes have been introduced, including the elimination of the spin serve, modifications to score correction protocols, and adjustments to serve legality and equipment timeouts.

In the fast-paced game of pickleball, mastering the skill of letting out balls go can be a game-changer. While players often focus on quick reflexes and precision, understanding when to refrain from hitting certain shots can be equally crucial. By allowing certain balls to pass, players can not only earn free points but also strategically influence their opponent's gameplay decisions.

Lakewood is welcoming a new indoor Pickleball venue at 3699 Industry Ave, opening on October 7, 2023. The facility boasts five well-designed courts, ensuring the game goes on from 8 am to 11 pm daily, rain or shine. Reservations are available at $40 per hour for each court, accommodating up to eight players, making it a perfect spot for a planned game with your squad. For those spontaneous players, a walk-in option at $15 is available, allowing you to join pick-up games. The venue mandates the use of indoor badminton shoes or non-marking shoes to keep the courts in pristine condition. If you're in need of gear, the on-site pro shop offers paddle rentals, ensuring you're all set for the game. For more details or to book your court, call 562-426-9299.

The advent of PB Vision, a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, is making ripples in the Pickleball community, promising to refine player skills and strategies. This innovation comes at a time when AI's presence is burgeoning across various sectors, marking its foray into the realm of sports. PB Vision extends an intriguing proposition: using AI to scrutinize and enhance your Pickleball gameplay, a notion that until recently seemed tethered to sci-fi realms.

Recent media coverage on pickleball's rise has taken a divisive turn, emphasizing conflicts and controversies. This negative portrayal not only tarnishes the sport's reputation but also fuels resistance among those averse to its growth. Such a narrative can deter community unity and magnify minor issues, overshadowing the sport's positive impact.

In the burgeoning world of pickleball, finding the perfect court to match your zeal is essential. Whether you started in a makeshift local court or have been playing in a club, knowing your options for a good pickleball spot is crucial. With the sport's exponential growth in the United States, new courts are emerging daily in various venues, from dedicated pickleball rooms in gyms to installations in condos, ensuring you're never too far from a game.

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and The Tennis Channel are joining forces to amplify the reach and popularity of pickleball. The Tennis Channel will hold the rights to produce and air a majority of the matches on its platforms, and is set to launch a 24/7 free, ad-supported streaming channel, pickleballtv, dedicated exclusively to the sport. This collaboration coincides with the merger of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, marking a significant step in bringing pickleball to a wider audience and enhancing the viewing experience for fans.

Sources tell The Dink that tennis' all-time winning doubles team and global ambassadors, Bob and Mike Bryan, are in serious talks to sign a long-term deal with Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Pro Pickleball Association Tour (PPA Tour).

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, U.S. senators are laying down their legislative swords for pickleball paddles. The Senate pickleball caucus, including senators Thom Tillis, Shelley Moore Capito, and Joni Ernst, meets weekly to engage in the sport, setting aside political differences and fostering human connections. Amid the pressing concerns of federal spending and potential government shutdown, the pickleball court emerges as a haven of camaraderie and interpersonal communication, transcending party lines and promoting physical activity within the legislative community.

In response to the rising noise complaints surrounding pickleball, USA Pickleball is introducing a "quiet category" to promote and advance quieter equipment. Despite its booming popularity, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the sport's noise level, which is about twice as loud as tennis, has led to neighborhood disputes and court closures. This initiative by USA Pickleball aims to address these concerns by working collaboratively with manufacturers and facilities to develop solutions that will support the sport's continued growth while maintaining harmony in communities.

A devastating fire has obliterated the pickleball equipment storage facility in Memorial Park, Santa Monica, leaving the community in dismay. The blaze, which consumed all the equipment including nets, paddles, and balls, has rendered the popular pickleball location nonoperational. The authorities, while having extinguished the fire promptly, are in the midst of an investigation, considering arson as a potential cause. The incident has left many residents without a place to play, highlighting the significant impact on the community and the sport's growth in the region.

Austin welcomes the Other Racquet Social Club, a members-only pickleball facility that marries the charm of country clubs with the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. The club boasts three tournament-standard courts, luxurious cabanas, a clubhouse, and a private dining area. As pickleball's popularity surges in the U.S., this club, opening its doors on Friday, offers a unique blend of exclusivity and sport, catering to the city's enthusiastic pickleball community.

This year, I’ve surfed on some unexpected surfaces. Sure, I checked off the usual water, but I also surfed on concrete with a surfskate, in an ice rink with a pair of blades under a board, and off a dirt hill on a mountainboard. In June, I was surfskating in Santa Monica when I skidded into ESPN’s airing of the Teqball tournament final. A cross between soccer, volleyball and table tennis, Teqball is played on a curved table that can cost more than $3,000.

In the dynamic world of pickleball, agility is your best ally, and the right pair of shoes can significantly enhance your performance on the court. Enter the Skechers Viper Court Pro, a shoe that promises not only to boost your speed but also to provide the balance needed to excel in the game. Retailing at $115, it features a Goodyear Gold rubber compound outsole, a TPU-based foam midsole, and a webbed mesh upper. The shoe is available in a variety of colors, catering to both men and women. Designed for aggressive movers in need of moderate stability and dedicated players seeking a durable, long-lasting shoe, it stands as a promising choice for pickleball enthusiasts.