What is pickleball? and why is everyone so obsessed?

By now you are likely to have heard about the sport that is taking the world by storm: pickleball. But what’s with the name? There are several theories on how pickleball got its quirky name, but the main theory is that one of the founder’s dogs was named ‘Pickles’ and he often fetched the balls that got away. 

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a small court with a net, using a lightweight paddle and a plastic ball with holes. There are over 700 pickleball paddle manufacturers, so there is a paddle out there for everyone. The game is easy to learn, fun for all ages, and can be played as singles or doubles. It is relatively easy to pick up if you have experience with Tennis, Ping Pong, or Raquetball. Pickleball has grown over 220% in the past 4 years with hundreds of people trying it out each day. It is the fastest growing sport in America due to its versatility and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities. It is the only sport where you will see a 7 year old playing with or against a 77 year old. Families with 3 generations are all able to play with each other, and that is magical. 

There are about 150 professional pickleball athletes contracted to the PPA and MLP (Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball). However this is a sport that can be quite competitive at all levels of play. There are pickleball tournaments that take place all over the world, and beginners through advanced level players are invited to join in the fun. 

There are several rating systems, and the most popular and recognized system is the DUPR. DUPR, or Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, is a rating system used to measure a pickleball player’s skill level. Unlike traditional ratings, DUPR is dynamic, meaning it updates based on your performance in matches. It considers who you played against, their ratings, and the match outcomes to provide a more accurate and current reflection of your skill level. It’s designed to be a universal system, so it can be used across different events and tournaments. It starts at a 2.0 (beginner) and goes to over 7.0 (professional/best of the best). The majority of players are a 3.0 to 4.0 level which is considered intermediate. 

There are over 51,000 courts in America, which is not enough for how popular the sport has become. Studies show that we need over 25,000 more courts in order to keep up with demand. The Colorado Pickleball Association exists to support the growth of pickleball in Colorado. This includes creating new indoor and outdoor courts, hosting tournaments for all levels of play, and creating a community for like-minded athletes to learn and grow in the sport. Join the CPA today to access an interactive map with court locations and details near you, a newsletter with tips and tricks from pickleball pro Kyle Yates, and exclusive tournament and pickleball gear discounts. 

We invite you to try pickleball out, and see why we are so obsessed with this incredible sport! Check out the upcoming tournaments and social meet ups, and we will see you out on the courts!

One More Game!