Capital Area Pickleball Association
Serving Dane County Wisconsin

Beyond the joy of friendly competition, pickleball offers an impressive array of health benefits. So, grab your paddle, and let's explore how pickleball can serve up a healthier, happier you.

Physical Activity and Weight Management

Pickleball offers an excellent cardiovascular workout, keeping your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Regular play can strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Pickleball is a relatively low-impact activity that is generally easy on the joints, making it an ideal choice for players of all ages and fitness levels.

A typical game of pickleball, lasting around 30 minutes, can help players burn between 250 to 350 calories, depending on the intensity of play and the individual's weight and fitness level. The continuous movements, quick bursts of energy, and agility required during a game all contribute to this impressive calorie-burning potential. Because of its fast-paced nature and sustained physical activity, pickleball can help torch calories and support weight management goals. Regular participation can boost metabolism and promote the development of lean muscle mass, assisting in maintaining a healthy body composition.

Muscle Strength and Balance Improvement

The dynamic movements required in pickleball engage numerous muscle groups, helping to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. From swift sprints to powerful swings, this sport challenges the body in a variety of ways, promoting overall muscular health.

Pickleball can also promote better balance, as the game involves a multitude of dynamic movements and quick changes in direction. Players must constantly adjust their body positioning to react to the ball and their opponent's shots, engaging various muscles and enhancing proprioception – the body's ability to perceive its position in space. Over time, this can lead to improved balance and overall stability.

Bone Health

Weight-bearing exercises like pickleball play a vital role in promoting bone density, reducing the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis. By engaging in this dynamic sport, you can give your skeletal system a helping hand while having a great time on the court.

Better Mental Health, Focus, and Less Stress

As a form of physical exercise, pickleball also encourages the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators. These neurotransmitters interact with receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain and producing feelings of happiness and well-being. Regular physical activity also helps regulate stress hormones, such as cortisol, lowering overall stress levels.

In addition, because pickleball is inherently social, it fosters connections, friendships, and camaraderie among players. The supportive atmosphere and shared experiences can help build a sense of community and belonging, which contributes to improved mental health and stress reduction. Laughing, bonding, and forming friendships through the game can provide an emotional outlet, alleviating stress, loneliness, and improving overall well-being.

Pickleball's strategic elements offer a stimulating workout for the brain. Pickleball requires focus, quick decision-making, and tactical planning. Engaging in this mental aspect of the game can provide a break from daily worries, offering a form of escapism and mental relaxation. As players become immersed in the game, they may experience a state of flow – a deep concentration that promotes a sense of control and enjoyment, further reducing stress. Playing pickleball may help to keep the mind sharp and promote better cognitive function.

Sleep Enhancement

Participating in regular physical activity like pickleball can contribute to better sleep quality. Exercise helps to regulate circadian rhythms, promoting the release of melatonin and lowering the core body temperature – both essential factors in initiating and maintaining sleep. Furthermore, engaging in a fun and social activity like pickleball can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing players to relax and enjoy a more restful night's sleep.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pickleball is more than just a fun and engaging sport – it's a pathway to improved physical and mental well-being. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the court, pickleball offers a wide variety of physical and mental health benefits. Happy pickling!

If you play pickleball outdoors, you know that on hot, sunny days, it can be hard to stay cool and perform at your best. One innovative solution gaining popularity is the use of cooling towels, a simple yet effective method to keep your body temperature in check during those intense pickleball sessions on sizzling summer days.

How to Use Cooling Towels

To activate a cooling towel, simply wet it with cool water, wring it out, and give it a few shakes. The result is a refreshingly cool towel that can provide instant relief on a hot day.

How do Cooling Towels Work?

Cooling towels function through the principle of evaporative cooling, whereby water evaporates from the towel's surface, drawing heat away from your body and creating a cooling sensation. The difference in temperature between your body and the towel helps transfer heat from your body to the towel, which is then lost through evaporation.

Choosing the Right Cooling Towel

When selecting a cooling towel, consider factors such as material, size, and durability. Opt for high-quality, absorbent fabrics like microfiber, which efficiently wick away moisture and retain their cooling properties for extended periods. Some towels even offer UPF protection, providing an additional barrier against the sun's harmful rays.

Maximizing the Benefits of Cooling Towels on the Court

To get the most out of your cooling towel during a pickleball match, follow these simple tips:

1) Rotate the towel: Re-expose sections pressed against your skin to the air every few minutes for maximum cooling.

2) Reactivate as needed: If the towel loses its coolness, simply re-wet and wring it out for a refreshing recharge.

3) Protect your neck and head: Drape the towel over these areas to regulate body temperature effectively and shield yourself from the sun. You can try putting a cap on over the towel to hold it in place.

Where to Buy Cooling Towels

You can buy cooling towels at most sporting goods stores as well as big-box retailers, like Walmart and Target.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cooling towels offer a convenient and efficient way to beat the heat during intense pickleball matches. By harnessing the power of evaporative cooling and choosing the right towel for your needs, you can maintain your performance on the court and enjoy a comfortable playing experience, even on the hottest days.  

Happy pickling!

Pickleball is known not only for its engaging gameplay but also for the tight-knit community that has formed around it. As more fans flock to pickleball tournaments, it's essential to understand and adhere to proper fan etiquette. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of being a courteous and supportive pickleball spectator.

Respect the game: While it's natural to feel passionate about your favorite players and teams, it's crucial to maintain respect for all players on the court. Refrain from booing, taunting, or engaging in any behavior that could be perceived as unsportsmanlike.

Know when to cheer: Pickleball matches can be intense, and it's essential to understand when it's appropriate to cheer. Cheering between points is generally encouraged, but try to avoid cheering during a point, as it may distract the players.

Observe the players' personal space: Players need their space to perform at their best. When seated near the court, avoid encroaching on their personal space, and refrain from touching or interacting with the players during the match. In fact, as per the 2024 Official Pickleball Rulebook, spectators should not provide assistance with line calls, and even a player’s coach is only allowed to provide coaching during official time-outs and in-between games (see Rules 6.C.4. and 13.G.1.j.).

Practice good sportsmanship: Pickleball is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, so make sure to be a positive force at tournaments. Congratulate players on a game well played and show support to both the winners and the losers.

Be aware of your surroundings: As a fan, you have a responsibility to be aware of your surroundings and ensure that your actions do not hinder other spectators' enjoyment of the match. Avoid blocking the view of other fans, and be mindful of your personal belongings, so they don't obstruct walkways or seating areas.

Follow venue-specific guidelines: Each pickleball venue may have its own set of rules and guidelines, including where you can sit and what you can bring into the facility. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines before attending a tournament to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved.

In conclusion, being a pickleball fan is an exciting and rewarding experience, and adhering to proper fan etiquette will help maintain the sport's welcoming atmosphere. By respecting the game, the players, and your fellow fans, you can contribute to the vibrant and growing world of pickleball.

The 2024 Baird CAPA Cup was featured this morning on the News 3 / Channel 3000’s 'In the 608' news segment which ran during the 6 am – 7 am morning newscast. There were two separate segments that ran for about 4 minutes each. Here is the link that features both video segments. Be sure to click on each video:

https://www.channel3000.com/features/in-the-608-capital-area-pickleball-association-tournament-for-a-good-cause-this-weekend/article_d7e3ec1c-59a0-11ef-9ac1-a7dbf33b59b5.html

There is also an article about the tournament below the videos at the link above.

When watching the videos, you may see some pickleballers you recognize, including current CAPA President Kevin McPherson, former CAPA President Rico Goedjen, USA Pickleball Ambassador Stephanie Gander, and CAPA members Ivie Tharpe, Denzel Bibbs, Michelle Hebert, Richard S. Russell and Abigail Darwin. The News 3 reporter was Josh Spreiter.

Pickleball has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity over the past few years. The 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Topline Participation Report announced that pickleball continued to be America’s fastest-growing sport for the third year in a row (out of 124 tracked). In the report, the SFIA also announced that pickleball had grown 51.8% from 2022 to 2023, and an incredible 223.5% since 2020. This exciting and accessible sport has attracted thousands of new players of all ages and skill levels in a fairly short period of time, making it a true phenomenon. Let's delve into some more eye-catching statistics that showcase the impressive growth of pickleball.

Player Participation

While exact numbers vary depending on the source, there is no denying how quickly pickleball has grown in popularity. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), as of March 2023, 48.3 million adult Americans – almost 1/5th of the total adult population in the U.S. – had tried playing pickleball at least once in the past 12 months! That number represented a 35% increase over the APP’s prior research conducted in August 2022, when it had found that adult participation had reached 36.5 million!

Regional Participation and Growth

According to the SFIA 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report, pickleball participation has been growing in every region in the U.S., with the South Atlantic region (including DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA) boasting the largest population of pickleball players with 1.9 million players. The Pacific and East North Central regions had the second and third highest populations, with 1.5 million and 1.4 million players, respectively. Interestingly, the East South Central U.S., which covers states like Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee, had the lowest population of pickleball players, with 0.9% of the total pickleball population.

According to the SFIA Pickleball Single Sport Report (2022), when it comes to where the sport is growing fastest, however, that would be in the West North Central Region of the US, in states like Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. They have been showing the fastest growth in new pickleball players, with about 30% year-over-year growth.

Interestingly, The Single Sport Report points out that the Middle Atlantic Region, including states like New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, have been showing the slowest growth in new pickleball players in recent years, with only 5.8% year-over-year growth.

Demographics

Contrary to popular belief, pickleball is not just a sport for retirees. In fact, the March 2023 research from the APP finds that the average age of avid pickleball players (those playing at least once a month) is now about 35, with approximately 72% of such players being between the ages of 18 and 44. Pickleball is truly a multi-generational sport, fostering connections and friendly competition among people of all ages.

The report also found that most pickleball players are men. When it comes to avid pickleball players, 62% identify as male, and when it comes to casual players, 57% identify as male.

Pickleball Facilities

As the number of players continues to grow, so does the demand for courts and facilities. In its 2024 Annual Growth Report, the USA Pickleball Association reported that there were 50,003 known pickleball courts in 2023. On a statewide basis, California had the most pickleball courts (3,589), followed by Florida (2,854) and Texas (2,081).

Competitive Play

Competitive pickleball has also experienced substantial growth, with 195 official tournaments sanctioned by USA Pickleball in 2023, according to the 2024 Annual Growth Report. There is a growing interest in tournament play, showcasing pickleball's potential as a competitive sport on both the national and international stage.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, pickleball's meteoric rise in popularity is nothing short of astonishing. With millions of players across the United States, this once-niche sport played primarily in high school physical education classes has firmly established itself as a mainstream favorite. As more people discover the joy and camaraderie that pickleball offers, we can expect this paddle-wielding sensation to continue its rapid growth and evolution in the years to come.

This past weekend, the largest pickleball court complex opened in Wisconsin, and you may be surprised to find out where it is located – in small town Lake Hallie, population 7,287 (as of 2022). Lake Hallie is a 15-minute drive northeast of Eau Claire and is located about 3 hours from Madison. The courts are located in Gower Park. Construction took about 7 months, and the courts cost around $300,000 to build. Interestingly, only about $110,000 of that came from the Village of Lake Hallie; the rest of the funding came from private donors. The Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club will manage and maintain the complex. The courts are free for any members of the public to use. More information is available here.

Mark your calendars now for a road trip, because the complex will be hosting a professional PPA tournament in July 2025! 

Pickleball is a sport that offers a fun, unique, and engaging way to stay active and social, while also allowing those with a competitive side to embrace that aspect of their personality as well. As the game has evolved, so too has the importance of finding the right partner to complement your skills, style, and demeanor on the court. Here are some key factors to consider when searching for your perfect pickleball partner.

1. Skill Level: An ideal partner should possess a skill level similar to yours, ensuring a balanced and competitive team. This is particularly important for couples to keep in mind, because tournaments prohibit “sandbagging.” Sandbagging occurs when someone plays in a skill category that is significantly below their level (e.g., a husband is rated as a 3.75 and signs up to play with his wife who is rated as a 3.25 in the 3.0-3.5 mixed doubles bracket). Sometimes, this happens because couples are unevenly skilled but want to play together. It’s important to remember, though, that in a tournament setting, especially one which will be DUPR-rated, it’s crucial that partners try to pair up with others who are relatively close to their own skill level. This may mean that you have to break out of your comfort zone and pair up with someone you don’t know as well to preserve the fairness and integrity of the bracket for the other players.

2. Style of Play: It's also essential to consider your and your potential partner’s playstyles – are you both aggressive at the kitchen line (e.g., hitting hard volleys, accelerating dinks), or do you prefer a more defensive approach (e.g., hitting soft volleys and maintaining long dink rallies)? Do you prefer to hit third shot drops or third shot drives? Do you prefer to hit setup shots or put-aways? Finding someone whose playstyle matches or complements your own will create a formidable team.

3. Communication: A successful pickleball partnership relies heavily on effective communication. Look for a partner who can clearly express their thoughts and intentions on the court, enabling seamless coordination and strategic planning.

4. Temperament: Pickleball is not only about skill but also about sportsmanship and camaraderie. Choose a partner who shares your values, handles pressure well, and maintains a positive attitude, win or lose.

5. Commitment: Finding a partner who shares your dedication to the sport is crucial for long-term success. Ensure that you both have similar goals and expectations, whether you're aiming for recreational fun or competitive play.

6. Personal Compatibility: A strong pickleball partnership extends beyond the court. Look for someone with whom you share common interests, values, and a sense of humor, as this will foster a sense of unity and trust between you.

7. Handedness: Are you both right- or left-handed, or is one of you right-handed and the other left-handed? If one of you is right-handed and the other is left-handed, do you both want to stack or play in original positioning? If stacking, do you want to do full stacking or half stacking? Discussing this ahead of time could save lots of headaches down the road.

8. Quickness: Are you equally fast runners? Do you each want to run down your own lobs, or would you prefer to run down each other’s lobs? What about running down short shots? Is one of you better equipped to do that? Be sure to investigate and discuss this before deciding on a partner, because speed and nimbleness may seem trivial now, but it will matter when you are playing in a tournament.

9. Bracket Preference: What bracket would you sign up for if you were to partner up for a tournament? If your skill level is on the cusp of the next level (e.g., 3.4), one of you might want a challenge and want to sign up for a higher bracket (e.g., 3.5-4.0), while one of you may prefer to be more conservative and stay in your current skill bracket (in this example 3.0-3.5). And then there is the question of age. If one of you is younger than the other, most tournaments will require that teams play in the age bracket of the youngest person on the team. If one partner is 49 and the other is 61, for example, this may mean that the team would have to play in the 18+ bracket, whereas if the 61-year-old had partnered with someone of a more similar age, he/she could play in the 60+ age bracket.

So, now the question arises of once you find that special person who you think you might like to partner up with for a tournament, which tournament should you register for? If you are looking for a fun tournament to register for this summer, I would recommend the 2024 Baird CAPA Cup. It will be held at the McFarland Park courts Aug. 16-18. Here’s how to register:

(1) Go to PickleballBrackets.com and look for the search icon at the left:

(2) Click on it and, under “Keyword”, enter “CAPA”, then click on “Search”.

(3) Click on the Wisconsin one.

(4) Click on “Events” to see what brackets are available.

(5) When you find one you want to play in, click on “Back to Tourney” (top left of page) to register for it.

(6) You can register for up to 3 different events.

Happy partner-hunting, and I’ll see you at the Baird CAPA Cup!

 

Pickleball offers a unique blend of fun, social interaction, and competitive play for participants of all ages and skill levels. As both the sport and the Capital Area Pickleball Association (CAPA) have grown, so too have the number of pickleball leagues available right here in the Greater Madison Area, providing players with an excellent opportunity to challenge themselves and enjoy the game in a more structured setting.

Let's explore some of the key benefits of joining a CAPA pickleball league:

1. Improved Skills and Strategy: Playing regularly in a league allows you to hone your skills and develop new techniques. You'll also learn from other players, which can lead to a deeper understanding of strategy and gameplay.

2. Enhanced Fitness and Health: Pickleball offers a fantastic aerobic workout, and participating in a league can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and balance.

3. Camaraderie and Social Engagement: Joining a pickleball league means connecting with individuals of a similar skill level who also share a passion for pickleball. The friendships forged on the court can extend beyond the game, leading to a richer social life.

4. Motivation and Competitive Spirit: League play often provides a healthy dose of competition, motivating you to improve your skills and push yourself to be your best.

5. Consistency and Scheduling: Pickleball leagues meet at set times on a weekly basis, ensuring you'll be playing regularly and consistently, which is vital for skill development and overall enjoyment of the sport.

6. DUPR: CAPA league organizers generally enter scores from weekly play into the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system. So, if you are looking for the opportunity to figure out your skill rating or to get a more accurate DUPR rating, league play could be beneficial in both regards!

7. Easy to Join: CAPA leagues are easy to join! All CAPA members with a skill level of 2.0 or higher are eligible to join a CAPA league. When you create your member profile on the CAPA website, be sure to enter your skill level (self-assessed), which you can figure out by going to https://usapickleball.org/tournaments/tournament-player-ratings/player-skill-rating-definitions/ . Then, when a new CAPA league forms, you will be notified via email and will be given an opportunity to sign up. New CAPA leagues start monthly almost all-year-round. You can register for a league as an individual; you don’t need to have a partner. CAPA leagues are also very reasonably priced, so joining one won’t break the bank!

More information about CAPA pickleball leagues can be found here.

Joining a pickleball league can provide numerous benefits, from improved skills and fitness to enhanced social engagement and a sense of community. With a range of CAPA leagues available, there's an option to suit almost every player, from skill level 2.0 – 4.0+! With new opportunities to join leagues happening almost monthly and practically year-round, why not dive into the world of league play and experience the excitement for yourself?

Over the past few months, I have been either asked or told that on a serve, the ball must be released from the hand no higher than the server’s waist. Each time I have heard this, I have rushed to the USA Pickleball 2024 Official Rulebook and Google to see if there has been a rule change that I didn’t know about, and I can never find the rule to which the person is referring.

There is a rule in Section 4.A.8.a. (relating to the drop serve), which states that, “The server must release the ball from one hand only or drop it off the paddle face from any natural (un-aided) height." In plain English, this just means that you can drop the ball from as high as you can reach. Since most of us can reach higher than our waist, this could not be the rule to which people have been referring.

And, of course, the rule in Section 4.A.7.c. (relating to the volley serve) requires that, “Contact with the ball must not be made above the waist,” but it says nothing about the height at which the ball can be dropped before the server makes contact with it below the waist. So, this also could not be the rule to which people have been referring.

In fact, there is no rule about dropping the ball at or below the waist on either the drop serve or the volley serve in the Official Rulebook. See the serve rules at Section 4.A. of the Official Rulebook.

The last time this subject came up, I decided I would do some additional research to find out the origin of this misunderstanding that seems to be going around the pickleball courts.

It turns out that there was a pickleball tournament in January 2024, called the PPA Masters Tournament, and for that tournament, a rule change regarding the volley serve was implemented for the pros, which required that the ball had to be dropped from waist-level or below. Depending on how things went at the tournament, it was possible that this rule change was going to become permanent. Here is a video that explains the proposed rule change regarding the height of the drop for the volley serve, as it was implemented at the PPA Masters Tournament.

I now see on the USA Pickleball website that this is a proposed rule change for the volley serve (not the drop serve) for 2025. Here is a link to the proposed rule change language from USA Pickleball that would require that users of the volley serve be required to drop the ball from no higher than waist-high level and the rationale behind the rule change.

So, in short, there is currently no rule about having to drop the ball from waist-high level or below on any kind of serve. It may or may not become a rule in the future for the volley serve. Stay tuned!

If you are an avid pickleball player, you may have wondered how long your trusty paddle will last before it may be time to replace it. Unfortunately, the answer isn't as straightforward as you might hope. Although the lifespan of the average pickleball paddle is 1-3 years, the specific lifespan of a particular paddle will depend on many variables, including the materials it is made of, the frequency and intensity of play, and how well it is maintained and cared for. Let's dive into these factors and then explore some telltale signs that it may be time for a new paddle.

Factors Affecting Paddle Lifespan

• Paddle Materials. Paddles made from higher-quality materials like graphite and composite tend to last longer than wooden paddles. These materials are more durable and less subject to warping from heat and humidity, which translates to a longer lifespan.

     Having said that, the materials in the higher-end paddles, including the core           material – the most common one being “polymer” – and the overlaying thin           layers of carbon fiber, graphite, or other composite material, will also start to         lose performance after several thousand hits against a pickleball.

• Frequency and Intensity of Play. Players who play every day and hit the ball super hard are likely to wear out their paddles much faster than someone who hardly plays and only hits the ball softly. So, if you're an occasional player, your paddle may last several years. However, competitive players who engage in high-intensity games may find their paddles wear out significantly faster, sometimes within a year.                                                                                                                       
• Maintenance and Care. Properly caring for your paddle can extend its lifespan. Some tips include:

     o   Do not store your paddle in extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Be sure to         store your paddle in your home rather than your car/trunk, since your car can       experience extreme hot and cold temperatures.
     o   Prevent your paddle from getting wet. Try to avoid playing in the rain (both         to keep your paddle from getting wet and to avoid slipping and falling).
     o   Keep your paddle in a case or cover to avoid surface damage.

Signs It May be Time to Replace Your Pickleball Paddle

• Failing edge guard. If the edge guard of your paddle is starting to peel off or come undone, it could be a precursor to more serious issues like delamination. Delamination occurs when the layers of material of the paddle face separate from each other or from the core. If your pickleball paddle is delaminated, you may notice soft spots, bubbling, peeling, or unevenness on the paddle’s surface.
• Chips, cracks, or dents. Visible chips, cracks, or dents in the paddle surface can significantly impact its performance and may indicate it's time for a new one.
• Loss of texture. As you play, the texture on the face of your paddle will naturally wear down, resulting in a significantly smoother surface. This will make it much harder to grip and add spin to the ball, signaling that it is probably time for a new paddle.
• Dead spots. If you notice areas on the paddle face where the ball doesn't bounce off as well, this could be a sign of irreversible wear and tear.
• Reduced power and control. If you're struggling to generate power or maintain control during shots, it may be a sign that your paddle's performance has deteriorated.

Warranties

Many high-quality paddle brands have warranties that guarantee that the company will replace the paddle if it wears out or shows defects within a certain time after purchase. Most warranties last about 6 months to one year, depending on the paddle. Be sure to register your paddle as soon as you purchase it to take advantage of the warranty, if necessary.

Conclusion

The lifespan of a pickleball paddle depends on various factors, including materials, playing frequency and intensity, and maintenance and care. Keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear, and don't hesitate to replace your paddle when the time comes. Ultimately, playing with a paddle in good condition is key to enjoying the game and performing at your best. Happy pickling!