Pickleball’s international popularity surge hasn’t skipped Wānaka, with the Wānaka Recreation Centre (WRC) now catering for an ‘exploding’ number of players.

There are now four sessions of pickleball at the WRC each week, with all eight courts often full of keen players of all ages.

“Within the last six months it’s just exploded, from having one day of pickleball to now four days of it absolutely pumping,” Queenstown Lakes District Council programme coordinator assistant Tegan Duffy said.

“I think people are hearing more and more about it, coming along, and falling in love with it.

“It’s unique, but it takes parts off tennis, parts of table tennis, parts of badminton, and it’s come together to make its own unique new sport.” 

The Wānaka App went along to the WRC to find out what all the fuss was about on Wednesday morning (August 2).

There were 36 players, from children to seniors, and they all looked like they were enjoying themselves.

One team told the Wānaka App the game’s appeal was social and physical. 

“It’s all very informal. It’s not too exhausting; you can start and stop after one game or you can play five games in a row,” one player said.

“It’s a good workout but not too extreme for ageing bodies. It’s quite tactical, it’s about ball placement,” said another. “It’s a friendly competition and a fun time.”

“It’s very social. People try to find out people’s names - and use them. You’re always playing with new people of all ages,” a third player said.

Tegan said the game suits “any demographic, any abilities”, played on a small court (you can fit three pickleball courts into one tennis court), and usually in doubles.

“It’s still a physical game - you get the heart rate up, people are slamming the ball down, it’s a fantastic speed, but you can play back to back - you can play six games in a row.

“You feel it, but you’re not as exhausted as playing six tennis games.”

Tegan said pickleball originated in North America and has become “massive, [even with a] professional league”. 

She said the name comes from the family who started the game; their family dog was named Pickle, and they were always shouting after it “Pickle! Ball!”, so the game became Pickleball. 

There are no dogs at the WRC games, but Tegan said tea and biscuits are served following the sessions for socialising.

Find more information about playing pickleball here.