two new European Pickleball Associations (Pickleball France
and UK Pickleball) into the IFP. I’m confident it won’t be long
before all of the European countries have an official Pickleball
Association. While football (soccer) is still the reigning king
of sports in Europe, pickleball is slowly but surely taking root
throughout the continent.
Spain currently has several hundred people playing regularly
between the schools, universities, public sport centers
and private sport clubs, and private courts are popping up
throughout the country. While Madrid currently has the
most courts and players, we’re gradually expanding through
our Pickleball Ambassador Program, following the successful
USAPA model.
Spain has always been successful in the world of tennis, and
another paddle sport called “padel” (similar to platform tennis)
is very popular throughout the country. Padel uses a paddle
similar to the pickleball paddle. As a result the Spanish tend to
adapt to pickleball immediately. Once they learn the strategic
aspects of the sport they’re extremely competitive because
many have already mastered the technique playing the other
racquet sports.
Tell us about “Viva Spain Pickleball Tours.”
Hess: Pickleball players vacationing in Spain were constantly
asking me to organize some type of tour that combined
pickleball with an immersion into the culture of Spain – as a
result, “Viva Spain Pickleball Tours” was launched in 2014. The
tours allow pickleball addicts to continue playing their favorite
sport with the locals while traveling in an amazing country.
And having enthusiastic players visit really helps boost the
profile of the sport here. We’ve been fortunate to have some
world-class players and coaches take part in the tours, including
Jennifer Lucore, Bob Youngren, Timothy Nelson, Chris Thomas,
Jeffrey Shank and Prem Carnot. The local players learn a lot
and everyone enjoys the experience of making new “amigos”
from across the globe. In 2016 pickleball tours are planned to
Barcelona in June and Madrid in September.
well as inspiring for other Spaniards to pick up the sport.
There’s no doubt Europeans will be competitive, but it’ll take
a while to catch up with the North Americans. Come to think
of it, Marcin Rozpedski (reigning open singles champion)
was born in Poland, right? I know Marcin has been living in
the U.S. for some time, but Europeans are proud to call him
their pickleball champion. Hopefully he’ll be joined by other
Europeans on the podium before long. In the meantime, we’ll
definitely continue introducing Europeans to this wonderful
sport and contribute to making it the fastest growing sport in
the world. •
How will the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)
advance the sport?
Hess: The IFP is the world governing body of pickleball and
will play an essential role in taking the sport global. We’re at the
initial stages of establishing our strategies and members, and as
we evolve the impact the organization will have on pickleball’s
growth and recognition will be tremendous. I have no doubt
pickleball will eventually be an Olympic sport, as well as one of
the largest participation sports in the world. There’s simply no
better sport for all ages and abilities in my opinion.
Do you expect Europeans to be able to compete with the
North Americans soon?
Hess: When John Gullo visited Spain on a pickleball tour
he offered an “all-expenses-paid” trip to our top player, Carlos
Perez, to represent Spain in the “Tournament of Champions.”
Carlos didn’t win a game but the experience was amazing as
JUNE 2016 |
MAGAZINE
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