Browsing: Pickleball News

The up-and-coming pickleball brand Rally Republic is the creative vision of Encinitas resident Lauren Stohlman. Stohlman’s collection of pickleball paddles, characterized as “high-quality yet design-focused,” holds a vibrant and eclectic Southern California lifestyle ethos. A Sense Of Fun And Individuality Her paddles exude a sense of fun and individuality, with sporting designs featuring lively neon hues, lightning bolts, smiley faces, and stripes. “The Encinitas paddle is actually my favorite,” Stohlman remarks, referring to the paddle adorned with a striking orange and pink checked pattern. What sets Rally Republic apart is its official licensing agreements with several prominent U.S. colleges and…

Rodney “Rocket” Grubbs had been a bit of a pickleball star and was well-known in the sport’s circles. However, now fellow players from across the nation are taking him to a whole different kind of court, claiming he did not deliver on an investment promise. “A Very Trusted Friend” Among those speaking out is Jennifer Butler, a retired airline pilot residing in The Villages, just north-west of Orlando, who, like many others, viewed Grubbs as a trusted confidant. Reflecting on the situation, Butler told News Channel 8, “We trusted Rodney Grubbs 100 percent. He was a very trusted friend.” Grubbs,…

Pickle Everything Games, founded by toy and game industry veterans Jeffrey Breslow and Frank Adler, is proud to unveil its latest creation: Pickle Everything. Pickle Everything is a new fast-hitting game for pickle lovers that is now available for purchase and at a bargain price! A Captivating Card Game It is a captivating card game where words collide with amusement and pickles reign supreme. This unique, fast-paced, and side-splitting game challenges players to race against the clock to solve clues. Designed with families in mind, Pickle Everything is suitable for players aged 10 and above. Available now for purchase at…

The recent culmination of the inaugural 2024 AARP U.S. Champions Cup in Daytona Beach marked a historic milestone for pickleball enthusiasts. Hosted by the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) at Pictona at Holly Hill in Florida, the event witnessed top-tier competition over four action-packed days. A Record-Breaking Purse With a record-breaking prize purse of $75,000, the tournament attracted participants from 38 states, spanning a spectrum of skill levels and age groups. From seasoned AARP Champions (50+) and AARP Masters (60+) professionals to enthusiastic amateurs aged 40 and above, the event demonstrated how inclusive and vibrant the game is right now.…

Pickleball Slam II saw Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf secure a well-deserved victory over John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino on Sunday, claiming a $1 million prize in the process. Even though McEnroe played to the crowd with some trademark outbursts and Sharapova showed great professionalism in trying to diffuse any tension, Agassi and Graf outclassed them, winning relatively comfortably in the end. An Expanded Event This Year In response to their plans for the winnings, Graf mentioned, “I’m sure we got some good ideas,” as reported by USA TODAY Sports. This triumph followed Agassi…

Just before Superbowl LVIII kicks off on Sunday evening, Smirnoff will be hosting the first-ever Smirnoff SMASH Pickle Bowl  – a Celebrity Pickleball Tournament to be held on the Vegas Strip and hosted by media personality Speedy Mormon. The private event will feature Kay Adams and a whole host of celebrities, plus some very special local guests. Strutting Her Pickleball Stuff As we know, “Up and Adams” host Kay Adams lives and breathes the NFL. And while she’s getting ready for an epic Super Bowl encounter in Las Vegas between the Chiefs and the 49ers, she’s also gearing up for…

The Senior Pro Tour’s 20224 schedule is well underway, and with a total of 18 nationwide tour stops, there’s sure to be an event near you at some point during the year. “Very Grateful” Founder of The Senior Pro Tour, Mattias Johansson, says, “We are very grateful for the support we have from fellow senior pros, sponsors, RAQT, tournament directors, and club owners who all make this tour very special. “We are also very excited to continue our partnership with National Pickleball (NP).” Co-founder Dave Furman adds, “We will continue to strive to make every tour stop better than the…

The David Ensignia Tennis Academy (DETA), a prominent sports instruction and athlete development institution in South Florida, has unveiled DETA Friends, a nonprofit committed to offering sports programs and facilitating access to racquet sports, such as tennis and pickleball, for youth, adults, and families in underserved communities and those with special needs. “Powerful Tools” Co-founder of DETA Friends, David Ensignia, told Miami’s Community News, “We believe sports are powerful tools for education, social development, and community building. Through DETA Friends, we’re committed to making tennis and pickleball accessible regardless of ethnicity, sex, age, or economics.” View this post on Instagram…

Junior pickleball continues to blaze a trail across the nation, with more and more states picking up on the sport. Here, we investigate two examples of how South Carolina and Washington are initiating programs to benefit their younger participants. Mecklenburg, South Carolina The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department of Charlotte, South Carolina, is inaugurating a youth pickleball league in mid-April. Aimed at middle and high school pupils, registration for this co-rec league is open through March 1. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation (@meckparkrec) Showing Off Their Pickleball Skills! The league…

As we’ve reported previously, Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf are set to take on John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova in ‘Pickleball Slam 2’ on Sunday. The event follows the inaugural Pickleball Slam held last April at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. More Comic Relief Than Inspiring Cameo At one point during that encounter, an exasperated John McEnroe threw Stefanie (Sports Illustrated states she stopped using Steffi years ago) Graf a paddle and invited her onto the court to replace him in his and Andre Agassi’s match against Michael Chang and Andy Roddick. Although she eventually…