Pickleball: The Ultimate Social Sport

By Kevin Loo

Pickleball is an easy, social sport: and that’s precisely why its popularity has exploded. When I started playing in 2018, 3.3 million enjoyed the sport. By 2024, that number ballooned to 19.8 million. Once considered an “old people game” in 2018, the courts are filled with old and young alike. It’s social, family-friendly, and undeniably competitive; just watch the pro matches.

Over the last four years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching thousands of students, ranging from age 4 to 92 to enjoy the game. I honestly believe I’ve learned more from them than I can reciprocate.

“Why did you decide to learn to play pickleball?” I ask every student in our Beginner’s clinic.

“My wife said I have to do it with her”

“My friend who plays said we should do lessons together”

“I want to try something new”

“It seems fun to do”

Most answers fall along those lines. But they also notice the game everywhere, on TV ads and on the courts. They see pickleball played by their favorite sports players. They see celebrities hosting pickleball parties. They are curious. What is this pickleball thing and why it is getting so popular?

The answer is multifaceted. It’s simple to pick up and immediately fun. We structure our lessons to get you to play pickleball in two lessons: the barrier of entry to fun is incredibly low. People from all walks of life want to join the party and who can blame them?

At the end of the lesson, I ask “What do you think?”

I’m greeted by big smiles. “This is fun!”