Thankful for Pickleball

It’s that time of year – time to count our blessings and remember all those things for which we are thankful. Pickleball has, no doubt, blessed many – if not most – of us. With this in mind, here are 10 things for which I am thankful.

Top 10 Pickleball Things for which I am Thankful

1. I am thankful for the continued growth of the sport.
   
   The sport of pickleball is currently comprised of approximately 4.2 million players in the United States — according to the 2020 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Participant Report.

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2. Piggybacking on the growth of the sport, I am thankful for the launch – and video streaming coverage – of the APP Tour, the PPA tour and Major League Pickleball.  Each has given us visibility into how pickleball is played at the highest level.
3. I am thankful that pickleball provides a “fun” way to stay in shape and off the couch.  Each competitive game is comprised of approximately 750-1,000 steps and results in the burning of calories.
4. I am thankful that pickleball is such a social sport.  Several of my best friends have been made from the pickleball court.  I couldn’t imagine a Saturday morning without them!
5. I am thankful for the business opportunities that have come from pickleball – instructing, blogging, tournament directing, tournament desking manning and more.
6. I am thankful for our local pickleball club and the board members and volunteers who give sacrificially of their time to make it the best club possible.
7. While I haven’t played any tournaments in the last year, I am thankful that tournament competition has once again returned.
8. I am thankful for new courts and pickleball venues that are popping up throughout the country more frequently.
9. I am thankful for my students who have put their trust in my expertise and passion for the sport.
10. I am thankful for all of you who read and engage with the PickleballMAX content. Thank you for liking & sharing information on social media.  Thank you for making purchases from time-to-time.

While not in the official list, thank you to those of you who give a helping hand to those just learning to play, to those filling in when a group needs a fourth and to those who give “solicited” advice.

These are, but a handful of reasons, for which I’m thankful.  Now it’s your turn.  How has pickleball blessed you?  For what are you thankful?

See you on the courts.