Do you remember the first time you heard someone talking about pickleball? Maybe you were at your nephew’s soccer game, and you kept hearing the pop of a ball along with laughter and wondered what is going on over at those courts. Pickleball is growing at exponentially fast rates in the United States. It is not uncommon to hear conversations at weddings about pickleball leagues, news articles with your favorite celebrity playing, or even on TV shows.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2021 Topline Participation Report, pickleball grew in 2020 to 4.2 million players in the United States, reflecting a growth rate of 21.3% from 2019. Once you try pickleball, you’ll soon realize it is highly contagious. Yet what makes pickleball so addicting? Pickleball is a game that everyone can learn. It is not uncommon to find teenagers, young adults, and grandparents all playing together. The game is challenging, competitive, and a great social activity for all ages. Since a pickleball court is significantly smaller than a tennis court, you are close enough to your opponents to hold conversations. Pickleball is one of the few sports that you can show up to a park by yourself and find a group to play with. It is also one of the most affordable sports to start playing.
Equipment
If you are looking to get started with pickleball, you are probably interested in what you need to play. The only equipment that is necessary to get started is a paddle. Gamma Sports recently released a recreation line of pickleball paddles. The recreation line contains the Quest, Odyssey, Conqueror, and the Discovery paddle. The recreation line of paddles ranges in price from $34.99 to $64.99. The paddles range in weight from 7.75 oz to 8 oz, feature a polypropylene core and all come equipped with the Gamma signature honeycomb grip. The Quest and Odyssey paddles feature a textured fiberglass paddle surface while the Conqueror and Discovery paddles feature a textured graphite paddle surface. If you are a player looking for more power without sacrificing control, we recommend a graphite paddle surface. If you are looking for more precision as opposed to power, look for a fiberglass paddle surface. Each of the paddles in the Gamma recreation line will allow you to get started playing at an affordable price. If you find that you can’t get enough pickleball and want to continue to practice at home, you will want to invest in a portable net. Gamma has you covered with the same nets available for purchase that are used at the annual Gamma Classic each summer. Having your own net will mean you can literally play a game any time you want. I have seen temporary nets set up in parking lots, suburban cul de sacs, campgrounds, and football tailgate parties. You will also want to invest in a handful of balls for at-home play. Gamma has both an indoor and outdoor ball available for purchase on the website.
Get Started
Everything that you need to get started can be found at GAMMA Sports. The recreation line of paddles, nets, balls, and performance apparel are all available on the Gamma Sports website.
By Jen Griffin