My brother and I used to joke at frequency of news articles declaring something to be “America’s Fastest Growing Sport”. Every new sport seemed to claim the title, including disc golf, ultimate, handball, roller hockey, ‘slam ball’, and arm wrestling.
I’ve played a lot of those sports, but Pickleball might be the current fastest-growing sport – and the one that breaks through with lasting, mass appeal. Like a lot of people (as shown in this chart), we just started playing in the last year … and we’re hooked.
I’ve played 3x last week and will likely be playing again this morning. It’s surpassed hiking, biking, and tennis as my primary fitness activities. League pickleball has completely replaced league softball for me on Wednesdays and it’s become the one competitive sport that my wife and I can do together.
The workouts that I get – from what many deride as a ‘seniors game’ – are exceptional. I burn 600+ calories an hour pretty regularly playing doubles pickleball and do so for 2-3 hours a session. Surprisingly, that’s more of a workout than I get from playing singles tennis.
I also love that a game is always available and very social. There are “open play” groups (often organized by skill level) in the park by our house and at two nearby (<5 minutes) indoor clubs. If you want to play, you can jump in a 2-3 hour session for just 6 bucks with 8-12-24 others.
It’s social because you are constantly mixed with other players in short (15 minute) games. Sometimes guys play guys or girls play girls, but more often it’s mixed doubles. After the game, winning teams usually “split” and another game is quickly reorganized.
The game is also uniquely social in the variety of people that turn out to play. I regularly play with a guy nearly 20 years older than me and a young lady 20 years younger than me. I can’t think of another sport where people from such different demographics play competitively together.
Importantly, it’s an easy game to start playing (unlike tennis that has a tricky serve). Also, few take the sport too seriously … with a name like “pickleball”, how could you?
Have you adopted pickleball yet?
Image: Pixabay
MrFireStation 
Yes, I love pickleball and I play at least 3 times per week. I didn’t realize how many calories you can burn, thanks for sharing. One item to add to your list. Self-deprecating humor. It’s easy to make fun of Pickleballers, especially when you are including yourself. It keeps the sport from getting too serious.
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Agree – any sport named “pickleball” is not meant to be taken too seriously!
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I remember attending an SAP Conference in Orlando around 15 years ago and the Courtyard had a funny looking tennis court that we couldn’t figure out what it was used for. It also had basketball hoops, so we shot some hoops instead. Yesterday’s episode of “Hudson and Rex” mentioned the Department Supervisor was going to play Pickleball in Saint Johns Canada. Our local municipal tennis club is installing Pickleball Courts and running leagues. How did Pickleball go from funny little courts to a trendy sport in 15 years?
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It is a great game because it is so easy to start playing. Unlike tennis – that has a difficult serve – if you look at people playing Pickleball – lifting the wiffle ball gently over the net – it’s a game that anybody can start with. The pros play on a whole other level, of course!
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It’s definitely catching on here!
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