As the newly elected president of the Sequim Picklers’ board of directors, I welcome the opportunity to introduce myself and let you know more about our sport and our club.
Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island by several dads looking for activities to occupy their kids, and it has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the last four years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
In 2024, the SFIA reported that pickleball had more than 8.9 million players, a 223% increase over the previous three years. In 2022, pickleball became the official Washington state sport.
Growth of pickleball in Sequim reflects the national trend. What began in 2010 with a few folks getting together at an old tennis court on Fir Street grew to more than 40 people coming together in 2015 to form the Sequim Picklers organization.
Dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and pro bono professionals partnered with the City of Sequim to design and build the excellent pickleball courts we have today in Carrie Blake Community Park, which have turned into a regional destination and allow us to host pickleball tournaments drawing players from across the U.S. and Canada.
Pickleball has many health and social benefits. It can improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and agility. It can help build muscle strength and endurance, lower blood pressure, and burn calories. There are possible mental health benefits as well, including improved self confidence, alleviation of stress, and distraction from worries.
It can also improve one’s mood by causing the brain to release endorphins. And let’s not forget cognitive benefits — pickleball requires strategic thinking, concentration and quick decision-making, which can help keep one’s brain sharp and engaged. Additionally, it is a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints, making it a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The Sequim Picklers currently has more than 500 members. It is a welcoming and friendly group of people, thus providing opportunities for socialization, which can help counteract loneliness. Many visitors from out of the area who come to play at the pickleball courts in Sequim remark on what a great group of people we have!
Along with the benefits for individual pickleball players, the Sequim Picklers contribute to our local communities in a number of ways, including sponsoring free classes for beginning players (Sundays at 3 p.m.), being part of the Adopt-A-Highway program (cleaning a stretch of U.S. Highway 101 four times annually), and bringing volunteers to teach the game and organize an informal tournament during the annual Esprit Conference in Port Angeles.
Our recently organized Court Development Committee is composed of professionals from the leisure/tourism, healthcare, and technology fields. They will be brainstorming ideas for the future such as enhancements to existing courts, building new (including weather-protected) courts, effective ways to work with local municipal organizations, as well as the formation of new partnerships to expand the game here in Sequim.
Improved facilities could enable larger tournaments, which could have a ripple effect for the local economy with players and guests coming from out of town.
We’ve also begun exploring the development of youth programming. We would love to see more families and young people out on the courts.
And now I would like to hear from members of the greater community: what would you like to see from the Sequim Picklers club? How can we develop new partnerships and sponsor activities to further benefit the community? Please reach out with your ideas and comments to us at sequimpicklers@gmail.com.
Tim Williams is president of the Sequim Picklers. Reach him at sequimpicklers@gmail.com.
