The Redwood community speaks out on the fastest growing sport in the world; Pickleball. Learn why it is so popular, what you need to play, and just how fun it can be.
By: Emma Jenan
Since 2020, pickleball has been the quickest growing sport in the world, with an incredible growth rate of 223.5%. This may make you wonder, why? What is so great about a game that resembles over sized ping pong? The Redwood community has very strong thoughts on the topic, here is what they had to say.
Wesley Ball, ’25, is a proud member of the pickleball community. He has been playing tennis for four years at Redwood, thus making it more appealing to try out another sport involving a racket. Ever since trying it, Ball enjoys spending his time on a court with friends.
Ball says, “It’s such a fun sport, you’re able to try fun shots and I get to mess around with my friends.” When asked if he believed it should qualify as a professional sport, Ball replied, “I do think it could be a professional sport, but it is defiantly not as physically difficult as other professional sports.” For those who do not know, pickleball is played in a small 20 ft by 44 ft concrete court, therefore requiring less running. Overall Ball feels that the sport, “definitely should be tried.”
Photo A.Acevedo/Gigantea
Karli Rasmussen, ’25, has done her fair share of sports in her time here at Redwood. She is a part of water polo, swim, and Dance Force, but she still likes trying new things, her latest edition being pickleball.
Rasmussen says, “I think people love pickleball because it is such a fun, easy, and interactive sport! It’s a way to get outside and be active with friends and family.” Rasmussen explains that she 100% believes that it should be a professional sport, and how she is, “very impressed by those who can play so well!”
Isaiah Largoza, ’25, is a tennis player here at Redwood. Largoza shares similar beliefs as Rasmussen and Ball, in their mutual love for the sport. Largoza says, “I think pickleball is such an enjoyable activity, and it has its own unique features that makes it different from any other sport.”
Largoza says, “As of right now, tennis outweighs pickleball for me. But as I get older, I think pickleball will be a pleasurable and less physically challenging option for me.”
Photo A.Ceballos/Gigantea
These enthusiasts believe that the perk about the sport is that it requires very little equipment. Rasmussen explains, “Honestly it is so easy, you just need a paddle (I recommend the ones with cute designs on it), a ball, and a partner!”
As the Redwood community has confirmed, if your looking for a way to stay active this winter break, pickleball is a great way to do so while connecting with the community.
Emma Jenan
Emma Jenan is a '25 second year journalism member of the Redwood Gigantea. She is interested in writing any article, but sports stories are her favorite. Emma is a part of the redwood tennis team, and is a varsity member. You can reach her by email:
emma.je8807@vusd.us
Tags: #pickleball, #redwood, #rhs, #sports, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs
