PICKLEBALL
PICKLEBALL WE ARE
Selkirk is the world’s leading pickleball brand, known for innovative paddle technology and top-tier gear trusted by players everywhere. And as pioneers in the sport, we’re launching our first pickleball shoe collection in 2025. With Specialty Running being one of our fastest growing segments, now’s the perfect time to partner with us. Step into the future with Selkirk!
PICKLEBALL
Stop by booth #2525 to get your free business of pickleball play book.
WHY PICKLEBALL MATTERS FOR SPECIALTY RETAILERS
Pickleball is hot, hot, hot in all corners of America – among all age groups and demographics. Need proof? For the third year in a row, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, having grown 51.8 percent in 2023 — and 223.5 percent since 2020. (Source: SFIA’s 2024 Topline Participation Report.) The research also found that pickleball, with 13.6 million participants, is now nearly the size of outdoor soccer (14.1 million participants).
Need more? The updated 2023 Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Pickleball Participation Report states that it’s even bigger, with 48.3 million adults having played the game during the 12 months ending March, 2023. The study also reveals that the average age of pickleball players is 34.8 years, highlighting the growth of the sport among the 18-to-44 set.
The SFIA estimates that roughly 25,000 courts at a projected cost of nearly $1 billion would need to be built to meet the demand for pickleball in the U.S. Looking ahead, the pickleball paddle market alone – which was estimated at $152.8 million in 2021 – is forecasted to grow at 7.7 percent through 2028.
But the billion-dollar question remains: Where do all of those picklers (yes, that’s what they are called!) buy their paddles, balls, shoes and gear? The answer just may be — run specialty shops!
talking the talk ... terms you need to sell pickleball
Pickleball is a game with a rich vocabulary of unique terms and understanding these terms is essential for effective communication on the court — and in your store.
Here is some of the lingo that retailers will need to know to talk the talk with their pickleball customers.
ACe
An “ace” is a serve that lands in the opponent’s court and is not touched by the opponent. It is a powerful serve that is difficult to return and is considered a point-winning shot.
dead man
A “dead man” is a shot that is hit directly at the opponent, often causing them to flinch or dodge the ball rather than hit it back.
dink
Our favorite pickleball term, a “dink” is a soft shot that is hit just over the net and drops close to the opponent’s side of the court. It is typically used in a defensive strategy and requires a delicate touch and precise placement.
fault
A “fault” is a violation of the rules that results in a loss of point. Common faults in pickleball include stepping into the non-volley zone, carrying the ball or hitting the ball out of bounds.
groundie
A “groundie” is a shot hit after the ball has bounced off the ground and is typically used to hit low and powerful shots.
talking the talk ... more terms you need to sell pickleball
Kitchen
The “kitchen” is the non-volley zone, a specific area of the court where players are not allowed to volley the ball. The kitchen is located near the net and is marked by a line.
Lob
A “lob” is a high-arcing shot that is hit over the opponent’s head, often used to push the opponent back and create space for a follow-up shot.
Match Point
“Match point” is the point at which a player or team only needs one more point to win the match.
Net
The “net” is a mesh barrier that divides the court in half and is placed at a height of 34 inches at the center and 36 inches at the posts.
Paddle
The “paddle” is the tool used to hit the ball in pickleball and is made of a composite material with a honeycomb interior. It is most certainly NOT called a racquet!!!
Skunk
A “skunk” occurs when a team wins a game by a score of 11-0. Also sometimes known as a “bagel.”
Soft Game
A “soft game” is a strategy of hitting soft shots and placing the ball precisely to win points through finesse rather than power.
what you need to play ... the ins, outs & dinks of pickleball gear
The Court
Pickleball courts are 44-feet long X 20-feet wide, basically the same as a regulation badminton court. The net itself is 36-inches on the sides and 34-inches high in the middle. It is actually possible to put four pickleball courts in the space of a tennis court except for the possible existence of angled corners that are on some tennis courts.
Paddles (not RACQUETS)
Pickleball paddles are solid and are made in an increasing variety of composite materials. Prices vary from beginning paddles at around $50 to more advanced models well over $200. They come in varying shapes, sizes, weights and degrees of quality depending on the skill level and style of play of the user.
Balls
You can’t play the game without the ball. Pickleball balls are made of lightweight plastic with either 26 (indoor play) or 40 (outdoor play) holes. They vary in weight, durability and amount of rebound. Outdoor balls are usually larger and heavier to ensure they travel further in windy conditions, but bounce slightly slower. Indoor balls are smaller and lighter, allowing them to move faster.
Nets
Pickleball nets are 21-feet long, 34-inches high in the middle and 36-inches on the sides.
Shoes
To start with, you can’t play pickleball in running shoes. They are just not engineered to support the movement in a game. Instead, a pickleball shoe, much like a tennis shoe, is designed specifically for lateral motion with what is referred to as torsional stability. This will help prevent rolling or spraining an ankle as well as slipping or falling on the court.
heard in the kitchen ... testimonials from experts on the front lines of pickleball growth in America
“Incorporating pickleball can diversify your product range and attract a broader customer base. This fast-growing sport has a robust community aspect that can increase store traffic and customer engagement.”
— Doug Thielen, Chief Marketing Officer, Selkirk Sport
“Running and pickleball have many similarities and both require specialist assistance for people to purchase the products that are right for them, so it’s not surprising to see people who trust running retailers also trusting them for pickleball purchases. Like running, once people start, they’re hooked, but there’s not one single audience type who is more or less likely to come in and shop.”
— Tom Webb, CMO, The Association of Pickleball Players
“Pickleball appeals to the person who never played sports and also to pickleball players and other athletes, both young and old — there are no limits. It has a strong social aspect, people can get good at the sport quickly and the success keeps people intrigued. Exercise plus fun is a winning combination.”
— Dave Kazanjian, owner, Whirlaway Sports, Methune, MA
heard in the kitchen ... testimonials from experts on the front lines
of pickleball growth in America
“Pickleball is an entirely new customer base for us and the category grew 200-plus percent last year. Most of our customers are veteran pickleball players who have never had a local store to utilize and there are lots and lots of new players to the sport that need all the gear to start playing.”
— Jeff Harris, owner, Run With It, Fort Walton Beach,
FL
“Runners are our main clientele, but pickleball is on the rise. Many runners want to try something new and we also see crossover between tennis and pickleball.”
— Katin
Curtis, Racquet and Jog, three locations in TexaS
“The pickleball category has given us another way to serve our customers and community. Much of the pickleball footwear product from the brands we carry have unique fit attributes and material choices, so the conversations at the fitting stool can be nuanced and give us an opportunity to explore other needs of these customers.”
— Nathan Hohenstein, Tortoise & Hare, Glendale, AZ
FAQs
more of what you need to know to sell pickleball at specialty retail
Why is it called Pickleball?
Two different explanations are offered. The first is that the mix of different sports (tennis, badminton and ping-pong) reminded one of the creators of a “pickle boat” in crew that is made up of leftover oarsmen from other boats. The second, more interesting explanation, is that it was named after the family dog of the game’s inventors, Pickles, who enjoyed running around and picking up the ball during play. Either way, the name has caught on.
Does it take long to learn how to play pickleball?
No, most definitely not! One of the great things about the sport is how quickly anyone can pick it up.
Can you play pickleball on clay courts?
Yes, but when playing on clay it is important to use one of the bouncier types of balls so that players get some rebound.
What’s the difference between a Pickleball ball and a Wiffle Ball?
They are both made of hard plastic and the size is almost identical (just under three-inches diameter). Pickleball balls (average .88 ounces) are slightly heavier than a wiffle ball. Holes on a pickleball are round and evenly spaced around the ball, whereas the wiffle ball has eight oblong holes on one side of the ball.
FINALLY< What are the five rules of Pickleball?
The five rules of pickleball are that the ball must stay in bounds, there should be one bounce per side, serving must be done at the baseline, the serve can’t land in the no-volley zone (kitchen) and the game ends at 11, 15, or 21 points.
