The survey also highlights player trends, including frequency of play, event preferences, and more.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho, Aug. 8, 2023 — Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, is continuing to rise in popularity, particularly among younger generations in the U.S., according to a new Selkirk Sport survey.
Selkirk Sport, a leading manufacturer of pickleball paddles and equipment, recently hosted a survey to shed light on the evolving landscape of pickleball and its growing popularity among players of all ages.
Pickleball becoming more popular among younger generations
Garnering 8,591 participants, the survey showed a significant rise in the number of younger players in recent years.
A remarkable portion of respondents (37%) revealed that they have embraced pickleball within the last 1-3 years. Additionally, of those who have picked up the sport in the last 3 years, 46% were under the age of 50, compared to the 16% of respondents under the age of 50 who have been playing longer than 3 years.
“At Selkirk, we are committed to growing the sport of pickleball,” said Selkirk Co-Founder and Co-CEO Mike Barnes. “This data challenges the misconception that pickleball is solely a sport for older generations, and it’s exciting to see a strong presence of younger players in the sport.”
Dedicated to fostering the growth of pickleball, particularly among younger players, Selkirk Sport has developed two impactful programs: the Selkirk Growth Program and the Selkirk Junior Team. Selkirk Growth focuses on providing pickleball paddles to communities in need, including schools, clinicians, and first responders.
Meanwhile, the Selkirk Junior Team supports talented children participating in competitive pickleball tours, facilitating their development through access to resources and mentorship, especially for those with USA Pickleball Association ratings.
Other pickleball habits
The survey also aimed to gain valuable insights into player habits and demographics, providing a comprehensive view of the sport's current trends.
When asked about how often they play, the majority of respondents indicated they hit the courts at least two to three times a week, with a third of respondents dedicating nearly every day to the sport. Additionally, 20% of the respondents indicated that they do not currently play any other sports other than pickleball.
“We asked people what their primary motivators were for playing so frequently, and the overwhelming responses were the fitness benefits and the sheer fun of the sport,” said Rob Barnes, Selkirk Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “It’s truly a game that everyone, regardless of age, can get out and enjoy.”
Doubles events reign supreme as 66% of respondents prefer gender doubles, while 28% said mixed doubles is their favorite to play. Only 6% of respondents said singles was their favorite event to play.
Half of the respondents said their partner also plays pickleball, emphasizing the sport’s appeal as an activity couples can enjoy together.
To see the full survey results, please click here.
About Selkirk Sport
Selkirk Sport, a made-in-the-USA manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the great Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim, who is Selkirk’s production manager. Backed by the philosophy of always pushing the limits, Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service. As part of its early success, Selkirk Sport was the first pickleball manufacturer to offer an unprecedented lifetime warranty on its high-performance products. To meet the demands of the game’s premier professionals, the company developed low-profile edge guards that are lightweight and extremely durable. Selkirk Sport has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing companies, with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Tyson McGuffin, Catherine Parenteau, Parris Todd, Dylan Frazier, Mary Brascia, Maggie Brascia, Wesley Gabrielsen, Cammy MacGregor, and a host of others premier players and national/regional champions.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact Kyle Whatnall at kyle@selkirk.com and Brynn Grissom at brynn@selkirk.com.
