Ten years ago, there’s a chance you weren’t familiar with pickleball yet. Today, you’ve certainly heard of it, and even if you haven’t picked up your own paddle yet, you likely have a friend or two who plays. Pickleball has been named the fastest-growing sport in both America and Canada, and it’s been growing in the Northern Wilds, too. From Duluth to Thunder Bay, you can find pickleball organizations across the North Shore. So why are so many people being drawn to pickleball? And for the pickleball-curious, how does one get started?
For those who aren’t well-versed in pickleball yet, it’s a sport with some similarities to tennis. Games take place on a court with a center net, someone serves the ball to start a volley, and players score points by winning the rally. There are notable differences, though: pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, the ball is hollow (similar to a wiffle ball), and there’s a no-volley zone called the “kitchen” that has some unique rules. One can learn all the details on the court, but a big part of pickleball’s draw is how accessible the sport is to people of all levels.
Melissa Grover is a member of the Duluth Area Pickleball Association (DAPA), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer. While DAPA’s mission has remained the same since 2016—to promote the growth and development of pickleball for all ages and abilities—it has seen a huge increase in membership and locations to play over the last decade. Grover credits this to pickleball’s many benefits. Like other sports, it promotes physical benefits like cardiovascular exercise, muscle strengthening, agility, and hand-eye coordination. But it’s also easy to learn, the ball is quite light, and the smaller court size means it’s less strenuous than a game of tennis might be. All of this makes it a game that feels more accessible to people who wouldn’t consider themselves athletes.
“A benefit of pickleball is that it’s cross-generational. I can’t think of many other sports where grandparents, parents, and children can all play together, and on a fairly even playing field,” Grover said. “This is a sport you can play for a long time. I play with friends who are in their 80s.”
Grover noted that for beginners, it’s a sport that doesn’t require much investment—all people need is a pair of court shoes and a paddle (and even then, seasoned players are often happy to lend a paddle to newbies for a game).
But in addition to the physical exercise, the fun and camaraderie are other key factors in pickleball’s popularity. Calvin Konop is a board member of the Cook County Tennis and Pickleball Association (CCTPA) in Grand Marais and chairperson of its Pickleball Steering Committee. CCTPA was started in 1992 by tennis enthusiasts, and was an early adopter in combining the local tennis and pickleball groups to advocate for all racket sports. For Konop, it’s both the mind and body workout, as well as the teamwork, that makes activities like pickleball special.
“I think the thing that I like most about these sports is the community,” Konop said. “The people that gather to play support each other, have fun, help each other learn and grow, and show up for each other on and off the courts. People from all walks of life can come together on the court and become equals, learning from and about each other, and becoming friends.”
Since pickleball is growing so quickly, most beginners can find a place to learn to play in the city where they live. In Duluth, several venues, like the Elite Sports Complex and Wheeler Athletic Complex, host beginner clinics and leagues. The CCTPA offers open play—where all skill levels are welcome—throughout the year at the Cook County YMCA or the outdoor courts. Becoming a member of a community group like DAPA or CCTPA is the easiest way to get access to facilities, clinics, and meet new people.
“I encourage anyone to come play,” Konop said.
So if you’re looking for a new activity this summer, consider picking up a pickleball paddle. You’ll get outside, get moving, and make some new friends who relish this welcoming sport.
