Pick Up Pickleball

From fad to future, pickleball in Boulder County is here to stay

By Christopher C. Wuensch

With every thwack of a paddle and every ball perfectly placed in an opponent’s “kitchen,” the game of pickleball continues to win the point throughout Boulder and beyond.

Primarily considered a niche sport since its inception in 1965, pickleball has witnessed a surge in popularity in the last decade and now has a permanent—and quickly growing—home in
Boulder County.

The sport, best described as a hybrid between tennis and ping-pong, boasted 19.8 million players in 2024, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, up 45 percent from the previous year, while the Association of Pickleball Players ballparks that number around 48.3 million people picking up a paddle.

Regardless of the actual number, pickleball has secured its place in our sports culture as athletes of all ages and abilities discover themselves in the game. “I feel like they invented a sport for me,” says Scott Fliegelman, owner of Boulder Pickleball.

He’s not alone.

Boulder Pickleball annually welcomes 6,000 members and has instilled a wait list to ensure the experience for its paying members—upwards of 400 highly active players competing at the city’s first-ever indoor pickleball-specific facility.

The 20,000-square-foot venue at 3550 Frontier Ave. features five courts along with a pair of practice courts, all routinely packed during the facility’s hours of operation between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

“Indoor is the future,” Fliegelman says, citing factors such as wind, noise, and not having to compete with tennis courts and players, to name a few. “Boulder is too big not to have a real indoor facility.”

If anyone in Boulder County would know, it’s nationally recognized International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association Level 2 instructor Fliegelman, a top 10 ranked senior pro player and tennis pro since the ’80s who witnessed firsthand the fast ramp up in the sport’s popularity.

“You’ll find three generations of players on the court at the same time,” Fliegelman says.

And while Boulder Pickleball attracts players from throughout the country and world, Fliegelman attributes its popularity to its accessibility and the ability for players of all talent levels to enjoy the sport.

To encourage newcomers, Boulder Pickleball offers a “learn to play” program that introduces players to the game with a $99 gear package and lessons that allow players to jump right into a green level. With no ranking system such as tennis, Boulder Pickleball pioneered its own skill system consisting of green, blue and black levels, which snow sport athletes will, of course, recognize.

“The cool thing is they work hard for all members to get better,” says Boulder Pickleball member Phil Griffin, a former soccer player who began playing three years ago at the behest of pestering friends and now admits he plays four to five times per week. “Once I got started, I was done,” Griffin says of the highly addicting game.

That same fervor is spreading throughout the county.

Grab a Paddle

“We see beginners to pros,” says David Henderson, store manager at Game Set Match, a racquet and paddle sports retailer located at 2425 Canyon Blvd.

“We’re seeing lots of fifty-five and up players who want to do something physical,” Henderson says, adding that many newcomers are flocking to pickleball from sports such as tennis, running and beyond.

For many players, the slower speed and gentler learning curve compared to tennis is a significant appeal and why pickleball will continue its rise in popularity.

And now more skilled players are beginning to push the sport’s technology, added Henderson.  

Gone are the days of wooden paddles, replaced by the likes of graphite, Kevlar and carbon fiber versions with features such as honeycomb core.

The results speak for themselves. Game Set Match, which opened in 2019, estimates that the sale of pickleball equipment now accounts for 50 percent of its business.

Henderson recommends that those picking up the sport for the first time start with a lightweight paddle and suitable court shoes, claiming that doctor’s visits are on the rise simply due to inappropriate footwear.

Where to Pickleball

As pickleball moves into the mainstream, new indoor locations are on the way. 

New and coming soon to Boulder County, respectively, is 3rd Shot Pickleball in Longmont and Louisville’s Relish Food Hall // Pickleball.

The City of Boulder also offers indoor pickleball at its North, East and South recreation centers. That also includes leagues, lessons and an outdoor option. Find more info at bouldercolorado.gov/services/pickleball