What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played with a pickleball racket or paddle -an enlarged table tennis bat- and a plastic ball with holes on a badminton-like court with a net that hangs slightly lower than in tennis. The game can be played both singles and doubles, making it accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
Pickleball’s origins go back to 1965, on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, where it was invented as a family-friendly backyard game. Since then, the sport has slowly gained ground internationally. In 2022, pickleball was declared the official state sport of Washington. From the United States, it has flown over to Europe and thus also to the Netherlands.
The growth of pickleball in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, pickleball has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. In 2013, the first pickleball was hit in our country. Now, sports clubs and leisure centres are starting to embrace the sport, encouraged by the low entry threshold and the social nature of the game. The Dutch Association: Pickleball Holland, plays a central role in promoting the sport by organising events, tournaments and workshops.
“Dink responsibly, Don’t get smashed”
Interesting facts about pickleball
Versatility: Pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors, making it an excellent choice for Dutch sports facilities that want to offer year-round activities.
Accessibility: The game is quick to learn, making it attractive to beginners.
Social and Competitive: Pickleball is known for its strong sense of community, bringing together players of different ages and backgrounds.
A common term in pickleball is; “Dink responsibly, Don’t get smashed” which refers to the strategic use of the dink, a soft stroke played just over the net and avoiding a position where the opponent can execute a powerful smash. The dink is a technique to put the opponent out of position and prevent them from hitting powerful strokes from a favourable position. “Don’t get smashed” is a playful warning not to get into a situation where the opponent has the opportunity to make a hard, hard-to-return hit. This phrase thus emphasises the importance of positioning and strategic play in pickleball.
Ultimate Flow modular sports floor: a great choice for pickleball
An important aspect in facilitating pickleball is choosing the right surface. Here we introduce: The “Ultimate Flow”, a modular sports floor specially designed for racquet sports and the dynamics of pickleball. The floor offers excellent grip, which is essential for the fast movements, abrupt stops, maximum ball control and ball bounce typical of pickleball.
Advantages of the modular sports floor Ultimate Flow:
Safety: Because the floor offers optimum grip and excellent stop-and-go properties, the risk of slipping is minimal. In addition, the sports floor Ultimate Flow is an ergonomic floor, making it gentle on backs and joints. These properties reduce the risk of injuries.
Durability: Made of UV-stabilised polymer composite, the modular tiles are resistant to intensive use and weathering. The sports floor has excellent draining and sound-absorbing properties and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The warranty on the modular sports floor is as much as 15 years and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life.
Easy Installation: The modular floor requires minimal maintenance and is easy to install, dismantle and move. Ideal for events and multi-purpose sports facilities.
Conclusion
The growth of pickleball in the Netherlands offers new opportunities for sports administrators and decision-makers within the sports sector. With the addition of the right facilities such as the Ultimate Flow sports floor, an attractive, safe and sustainable environment can be provided for this low-threshold sport and (future) pickleball players.
