Shop Talk: Pickleball

Last week, zakHill team members from across the nation gathered in Santa Monica for one sole purpose — a good old-fashioned game of pickleball! What followed was an afternoon full of laughs, hilarity, and a few “rallies” for the ages.

Upon doing some research, it turns out that we aren’t the only ones! Whether you’ve watched the pickleball challenge on The Golden Bachelor, seen a new court pop up in your area, or just heard about the sport through word of mouth, one thing is for certain: this new-fangled game of rackets and nets is here to stay.

Pickleball first originated in 1965, when a group of best friends on vacation developed a new accessible sport blending elements of ping pong and tennis to create a family-friendly activity for the ages. Almost sixty years later, the sport has exploded in popularity, sparking nationwide pickleball leagues, recreational tournaments, and even brand partnerships, such as “Think Pickle” by Think Royln and Vlasic Pickles.

Thank you to Pickle Pop Santa Monica for having us and here’s to a new team tradition!