It bounced and paddled its way to the islands years ago through investors and friends. Introduced here as “Pukaball,” derived from the plastic wiffleball used as the game ball having multiple holes and became the island name for the game itself. In 1965 three vacationers from Bainbridge Island (Washington), were looking for ways to keep the kids busy. Joe Pritchard, the father of the vacationing family, had a lightbulb moment, he traversed his way into the badminton court to find something to do for the kids. Little did he know this was a pivotal first step in Pickleball’s genesis. What was inspired by the islands became a family sport on an island in the Northwest and is now taking the country by storm.
Birthed as a backyard family sport in ‘65, Pickleball has grown with 36.5 million players nationwide and has been the fastest-growing sport in America for the past three years. Since 2017, Pickleball has grown by 158.6%. With 10,320 courts across the Nation, the sport has become a phenomenon with the purpose of bringing families, friends, and competitors together on one court. The fun blend of tennis, and ping pong, along with the smaller court size has helped it grow. Like its cousins, it can be played as doubles or singles with alternating serving sides. With the regulation court being half the size of a tennis court, the sport lends itself to being played indoors or outdoors.
Here in Moku ‘O Keawe (Hilo), there are four courts to choose from with weekly events or family-friendly pickup games. If Hilo’s not your jam, there is also a court in Honoka’a. Hilo has multiple extra-curricular activities for adults and kids but why not join a movement that includes the whole family (and friends) for teamplay and/or competition?
For more information, you can visit http://www.pickleheads.com.
