sportstyle

28 • July/August 2024 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com SPORT REPORT / PICKLEBALL would like to expand its pickleball selection, there is limited wall space to do so. "ere are tons of new companies and everyone is trying to join in. We're always on the lookout for new product but we're very particular about what we carry. We love to go to tour- naments and shows to see what's on offer," says DiVito. "Right now, shoes are a big focus, and we carry tennis and pickleball versions of our top brands." Although tennis players are loathe to wear shoes emblazoned with the word "pickleball," pickleball players love the distinction—but they also don't mind wearing tennis footwear. Although pickleball remains a strong cate- gory, it does have some downsides, according to Runner's Edge/Tennis Anyone? owner Tom Vladimir. "Pickleball is not as good as tennis regarding repeat shoppers. Tennis players need balls, racquet restringing and shoes on a steady basis, whereas pickleball players get what they need and then they're all set for a while," he explains. "Also, pickleball has a very limited variety of paddle shapes as compared to tennis which has more variation in equipment—there is more flexibility regarding racquet head shapes and sizes as well as grip sizes." He notes that if paddles came in grip sizes, retailers would have to double their inventory, which would be good for vendors but not as good for retailers. While Runner's Edge/Tennis Anyone? doesn't have much pickleball competition from general sporting goods stores, online entities such as Pickleball Central are an- other story. To better compete, "We'll special order anything for customers, and we can have items drop shipped or shipped to the store," says Vladimir. "Most of our vendors will help us out with that, and it helps boost customer loyalty." Unfortunately, many of those same vendors also sell DTC, which is a huge issue, especially if they offer exclusive products and discounts not available to their retail partners. "It's very frustrating but normal in business these days," Vladimir laments. "Shipping prices have also risen dramatically, which puts a damper on business for everyone." n INSIDE & OUTSIDE THE LINES Keeping Quiet As pickleball courts have proliferated across the country, so too have complaints about the constant staccato noise of plastic balls being struck by paddles. In some communities, people living near pickleball courts have become especially incensed, prompting the industry to seek solutions such as outdoor sound barriers, cushioned court surfaces that reduce sound, and of course options for sound-dampening paddles. In response, USA Pickleball, the sport's gov- erning body, introduced the "Quiet Category" last year. e initiative was unveiled with the certification of OWL paddles by OWL Sport, the first paddles to meet the Quiet Category standards. OWL paddles, which use pro- prietary Acoustene sheath technology, have been proven to reduce noise by 50 percent, delivering a hertz level below 600 and a decibel level below 80 (an 80-decibel level is compa- rable to a vacuum cleaner). In comparison, industry-standard pickleball paddles register 1,100 to 1,200 hertz and a decibel range of 85+ when striking a ball. In addition to creating quieter paddles, pick- leball R&D experts are looking more closely at the balls themselves, which are an even greater noise culprit. In the end, if a solution can be reached for the balls, it may not even matter what paddles players decide to use. Eating & Dinking Expanding on pickleball's appeal as a highly social game, and building on the idea of "eat- ertainment," a plethora of unique pickleball event venues is springing up around the nation. Here's a look at some of the leading concepts. Electric Pickle In 2023, Electric Pickle broke ground in Las Vegas, NV, and Tempe, AZ. Since then, locations have opened in Roseville, CA; Katy, TX; and Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and additional expansion is on the way. Each Electric Pickle locations feature outdoor courts, cabanas and a restaurant.

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