Pickleball is ranked as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States; in Korea, the quirky pastime is also gaining popularity. In light of this, a group of varsity racket sport athletes decided to incorporate this sport into the SIS club roster. By mainly marketing itself as a way for tennis and badminton players to stay sharp throughout the down-seasons, the pickleball club has amassed a substantial number of members. Numerous students seek to engage in the sport whether during office hours, activity periods, or even after school.

“I play on the court regularly with my friends,” Joowon Hong (11), a recreational pickleball and badminton varsity athlete, said. “In fact, most times I play before club meetings even if it means skipping lunch. At first, I was hesitant to pick up this sport but after playing with my pals I found it to be extremely enjoyable. Plus, it is also very easy to learn, the low difficulty curve is something that I thought was really helpful in getting newcomers like me interested in playing.”

The pickleball court that the club set up prior to the 2024-’25 school year has quickly become a hub of activity for the high school body. The simple nature of the game, involving a fairly wide and lengthy paddle, a light plastic ball, and a relatively small 6 by 13.5-meter court, allows even inexperienced players to partake in the activity. Although the pickleball club does not host events for students who are not in the club due to scheduling issues, the rise in pickleball’s overall popularity amongst students and faculty might potentially change this.

“Making an accessible pickleball court has been a great addition to the SIS community,” Mr. Nelson, avid pickleball enthusiast, said. “It is great that they set up the court so close to the high school building, it has certainly helped in raising awareness and getting newcomers to try the sport.”

The growing interest in pickleball is not limited to just the club sessions. Students and teachers have organized their own casual matches after school hours, borrowing both the equipment and the court from the club. These individual initiatives to play pickleball have led to a resounding presence in the school community.

Unlike extremely tenuous sports like cross country and swimming, or team sports that require extensive preparation to make matches, pickleball provides a simple yet stimulating alternative to conventional sports. This might be the reason behind its popularity but also the reason behind its current status as a mere pastime. Established varsity sports that require distinct athletic skills, such as pickleball, at face value, is a toned-down version of tennis. A similar argument could also be made for its indoor counterpart, table tennis. Despite these public perceptions, the club has set its goals clearly.

“Our ultimate plan for the future is to have the pickleball club be more than just a weekly meeting of sorts,” Brian Ji (11), pickleball club president, said. “We have arranged matches with other schools like Chadwick already; by hosting these conferences and friendly matches, we are hoping to legitimize this sport so that we can potentially play it at a varsity level.”

With the substantial fan base that it has accumulated over the short time it has been present at our school, the future of the pickleball club looks promising. As more students and faculty discover the sport with each passing day, the sport becomes more solidified as a part of the SIS sports community.