Through our Make Friends or Die series, we’re exploring a new community each week to better understand why they matter, how they’re built, and how meaningful connections form beyond transactions.
Pickleball-specific courts are essential as they feel like a second home for players, designed specifically for the sport and attracting a mix of serious competitors and social players. These courts foster a sense of camaraderie, with people often hanging around to chat before and after matches. It’s no wonder the sport is the fastest-growing in America. Local parks and community centers play a vital role by making pickleball accessible to everyone, regardless of budget or weather. These spaces often serve as the starting point for new players, offering a mix of casual open play and organized leagues. The welcoming atmosphere and familiar faces make them a cornerstone of the pickleball community. For true pickleball enthusiasts, tournaments are where skills are tested, connections with other players are formed, and the thrill of competition is shared. The excitement of hearing matches announced, watching medal games, and scoping out the competition adds to the experience. Online resources like Pickleball.com are another game-changer. A one-stop shop for everything from finding tournaments to tracking your game stats.
The pickleball community is one of the friendliest, most welcoming groups of strangers I’ve ever met. It’s a wide range of people: fully tattooed artists, retirees from gated communities, high school players, stay-at-home moms, and people rehabbing from an injury. Everyone is there to find new players, make friends, or beat new competition once they’ve already beaten everyone in their own friend group. With around 36.5 million players nationwide, it’s proof that the best games bring the most unlikely people together.
Q: How did you first come across the pickleball community, and why is it significant to you?
I first discovered the pickleball community when I decided to challenge a group of retirees at my girlfriend’s parents' 65+ community, thinking I’d easily win. They completely wiped the floor with me, and as a competitive person, that loss didn’t sit well. So, I started playing multiple times a week in Portland, even though I initially thought the game seemed a bit corny. Funny enough, it was a gated community of 70+ retirees in Roseville, CA, that sparked my commitment to pickleball.
While working as a Creative Director in PR, my first major project was launching the first-ever “quiet paddle” alongside Drew Brees and John McEnroe, where we even built a court inside a Montessori in New York for Owl Sports.
Now, I play in open matches several times a week, have registered for local tournaments, and find myself thinking up strategies for pickleball in the middle of the night. Please, send help.
Q: What unites the community? What does the community stand for or against?
Inclusivity, connection, embracing diversity, and (for the most part) healthy competition.
Q: How do you know you're a true pickleball enthusiast?
You pass by an empty public park and think, “This place needs a pickleball court.” Or your wardrobe is suddenly dominated by moisture-wicking shirts and the latest court shoes.
Q: What is a standout statistic or fact that captures the essence of this community?
Vinyl records were nearly rendered obsolete with the rise of CDs in the late eighties and especially into the nineties. In 1995, vinyl sales were nearly 0.5 million units, but by 2024, they had surged to 24.3 million units. Vinyl even surpassed CD sales for the first time in 25 years in 2022, underscoring its resurgence as a beloved format for music enthusiasts.
Q: What experience best embodies the spirit of this community?
When a nervous newcomer shows up to their first open play, so stressed they forget how to play pickleball, they soon realize how laid-back and accepting everyone is. By the end of the night, they’re already planning to come back every week, feeling right at home.
