Tama Shimabukuro isn’t afraid of the big stages. Having been a competitive skateboarder and surfer, the 14-year-old from Hawaii now sets his sights on pro pickleball, with his first event as a Selkirk player at the San Clemente PPA on June 16th.
Back in 2023, Shimabukuro was competing in a skateboarding event in California when he and his family noticed a group of people playing a sport they didn’t recognize: pickleball. Curious, they did some research, picked up wooden paddles from Target, and have been hooked ever since.
2024 marked a new chapter for Shimabukuro, as it was his first year competing in PPA tournaments. After quickly finding success in the 5.0 divisions—earning a silver in men’s singles, a bronze in men’s singles, and a bronze in men’s doubles—he recently began testing his skills in pro qualifiers. Just a few months ago, he won the men’s doubles title at the Honolulu Open, defeating two touring pro players in the final.
While he may be geographically far from the U.S. mainland most of the time, Shimabukuro’s reputation as a rising talent is known in the pickleball community. Now, he’s aiming to break into pro main draws and establish himself among the sport’s elite.
Catch him on the courts at San Clemente this coming week with his blue SLK Era paddle in hand and Selkirk trucker hat!
Tama’s weekly pickleball routine
Weekday mornings: 3 hours
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Drills
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Singles/Doubles
Weekday afternoons: 3 hours
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Drills
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Doubles
Weekends: 2-3 hours
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Doubles
