Pickleball is proof positive that necessity is the mother of invention.
Above: Cali SMASH Pickleball & Social Club
•••
In the summer of 1965, three families were vacationing on Bainbridge Island, Washington. On a dreary Saturday afternoon, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum searched for a way to entertain their bored children at the family cabin. They gathered the kids on the backyard badminton court, handed them ping-pong paddles and a Wiffle ball, lowered a tennis net they found in the shed and told them to start hitting the ball around.
The adults realized the improvised game was surprisingly fun and soon joined in. Barney noticed the ping-pong paddles were too small and kept breaking, so that evening he used a bandsaw to craft larger plywood paddles—unintentionally creating the prototype for today’s pickleball paddle.
Before long, everyone on the island wanted to play Joel, Bill and Barney’s new paddle game. The trio began experimenting with rules that would make it enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels, blending elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong into a completely new sport.
Joel’s wife, Joan, remarked that the mash-up of games reminded her of a “pickle boat,” a rowing term for a crew assembled from leftover oarsmen. The nickname stuck, and pickleball was born.
At the time, Joel, Bill and Barney had no grand vision that their backyard invention would someday become an international phenomenon. They simply wanted to create something social, accessible and fun for family and friends to enjoy together.
That simplicity remains the secret sauce behind pickleball’s appeal. The game’s basic rules create an unusually level playing field, allowing people of all ages, sizes and athletic abilities to compete together.
Because the court is compact, it can be set up almost anywhere—on streets, driveways, gym floors or tennis courts. The equipment is relatively inexpensive, the learning curve is approachable and, most importantly, the game is undeniably fun.
Over the following decades, pickleball steadily evolved from a backyard pastime into an organized sport. In 1972, Joel, Bill and Barney trademarked the name Pickleball and formed Pickleball Inc., selling starter kits throughout the United States. By 1984 the U.S. Amateur Pickleball Association had formed, and the first official rule book was published.
As the sport spread, schools added pickleball to athletic programs, courts were built, leagues emerged and tournaments multiplied. Strong amateur players turned professional, and athletic brands began producing paddles, apparel and accessories specifically for the game.
Then everything changed in 2020. Pickleball became one of the rare cultural phenomena that benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when people craved safe outdoor activity, social interaction and exercise, pickleball perfectly fit the moment.
COVID was to pickleball what the Tupac hologram was to Coachella: the catalyst that launched it into the national spotlight. From 2020 to 2025, the number of pickleball players in the United States exploded from 4.2 million to 24.3 million, making it America’s fastest-growing sport for four consecutive years.
The surge happened so rapidly that it seemed as if pickleball had gone from obscurity to ubiquity almost overnight. That explosive growth has transformed the South Bay as well.
Pickleheads, the official court and game finder of USA Pickleball, lists more than 20 locations throughout the Beach Cities where people can play. These range from public recreation centers and school courts to private clubs and dedicated pickleball facilities. The sport’s expansion has also inspired local businesses to embrace the craze and launch new ventures catering to the growing community.
One of the more unique businesses to take on the sport is California SMASH Pickleball & Social Club in El Segundo.
Cali SMASH is far more than a traditional athletic facility. While it features nine indoor padded pickleball courts, the venue is designed as an elevated social and entertainment destination. The facility includes a restaurant, full bar, 100-seat social lounge and multiple event spaces.
Above: Love.Life
•••
“It’s kind of like Topgolf meets Cosm meets Lucky Strike,” says Scott Doerner of Cali SMASH. “It’s a really cool experience. We wanted to bring that energy to pickleball.”
Cali SMASH also emphasizes its food and beverage program. Its restaurant, The Kitchen, named after a pickleball term, serves an upscale menu created by Chef Dee, formerly of Playa Provisions. Guests can enjoy DJs, watch parties and social events, even when they’re not playing.
Located just steps from the Metro line connecting to SoFi Stadium, the venue has also become a popular pregame and postgame destination on game days.
“What Cali SMASH is really about is community and social engagement,” Scott explains. “Yes, there will be leagues and tournaments, but look around—people are hanging out. We want this to feel like everyone’s local spot. Play pickleball, make new friends, reconnect with old friends, grab a drink, watch a game and stay awhile.”
Also in El Segundo, Love.Life offers a 6,500-square-foot pickleball facility featuring three indoor courts, lessons, clinics and an observation lounge. Pickleball is included in all memberships for the first year.
For players seeking an outdoor experience, South Bay Tennis & Pickleball Center in Torrance remains one of the area’s premier destinations. The facility has been owned and operated since 1997 by Courtney and Ken Hance, longtime tennis players and coaches whose family has deep roots in racquet sports.
Their three oldest children played Division I tennis. Keaton, their youngest, recently won the U.S. Open junior boys doubles title and will attend the University of Texas this fall. Daughter Kenadi is a touring pickle-ball professional, and son Connor founded Enhance Pickleball, specializing in equipment and accessories.
South Bay Tennis & Pickleball first introduced pickleball during the pandemic.
“My son suggested I blend pickleball lines onto the tennis courts,” Courtney recalls. “I told him, ‘I’m not ruining my tennis courts.’ But he said, ‘Mom, people need to get outside and play. You can fit 16 pickleball players on one tennis court.’”
She finally agreed. “Within minutes, people started rolling in,” she says. “That decision changed everything.”
Above: South Bay Tennis & Pickleball Center
•••
Today the facility features 26 blended courts and nine dedicated pickleball courts.
Beyond the courts themselves, local businesses throughout the South Bay have embraced the pickleball movement. Few have leaned in more aggressively than Manhattan Beach-based Skechers.
The company launched Viper Court, a performance footwear line specifically designed for pickleball, along with apparel, paddles and accessories. Skechers has also sponsored professional athletes, tournaments, leagues and local pickleball organizations.
“Seeing how the South Bay, along with communities around the world, has embraced pickleball has truly inspired us,” says Skechers president Michael Greenberg. “The synergy between Skechers and pickleball feels natural, and we’re excited to support the sport’s ongoing growth both locally and globally.”
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball is now one of the most widely played and fastest-growing sports in America, ranking among the nation’s top 25 recreational activities. Industry analysts estimate participation could reach 40 million players by 2030.
The business surrounding the sport is booming as well. Pickleball generated an estimated $1.77 billion in revenue in 2025 and is projected to surpass $3.5 billion by 2032. Surveys show that the average player spends hundreds of dollars annually on court fees, lessons, tournaments and equipment.
“Pickleball is not just a game,” says Kevin Kim, COO of DUPR, the global pickleball rating system. “It’s a lifestyle.”
It may have taken five decades to get here, but pickleball has officially arrived—and shows no signs of slowing down. Joel, Bill and Barney would undoubtedly be proud.
