With a loud pop, Aash Pammi, junior, sent the yellow wiffle ball soaring across the bright blue pickleball court, marking the start to the first game.

“I felt like I was the main character,” Pammi said. “I felt the rush of adrenaline run through my body.”

Pammi began playing pickleball in June and entered a summer tournament with friends. To prepare, he practiced four times a week at Bluebird, Schroeder and Holloway Parks.

“I played until 11 p.m., stopping only when I was exhausted,” Pammi said.

The tournament proved to be intense, and Pammi said he used strategies to handle the pressure.

“Me and my partner would go silent, and lock ourselves in,” Pammi said. “The game came down to the last point. In the final match, my partner hit a shot that just barely went around the poles of the net,” Pammi said.

This shot made Pammi victorious and marked his second win of the tournament, resulting in a $100 cash prize for Pammi and his partner.

“The key to my success was focusing on hitting the balls in the corners of the court,” Pammi said. “Playing tennis also helped me.”

Pammi credits his doubles partner, Naren Tarapareddy for being an influence in his pickleball journey.

“He taught me how to play the game and made me better,” Pammi said.

Before each match, Pammi and Tarapareddy put their hands together and say, “Dattebayo,” a quote from Pammi’s favorite show, “Naruto.”

Henry Chen, senior, organized these tournaments over the summer to reconnect with friends. There were two tournaments: one in early June and another in July, each featuring 12 teams and 24 players.

“I’m pretty sure everyone had a good time and a memorable experience,” Chen said. “One of the participants said it was one of the best and most fun things he’s ever done in the summer.”

Chen said the tournaments impacted his view of pickleball.

“Even though pickleball is a relaxing, laid-back sport, it really helps connect with your community,” Chen said.

Hana Papaco, USA Pickleball’s manager of recreational programs, said the growing popularity of pickleball among youth is due to its social and accessible nature.

“Pickleball has really caught wave. It’s a fun thing to go out with your friends and easily do,” Papaco said. “It’s a generational sport, where this is a sport where people can play easily with their families, with young kids, with the parents with grandparents.”

Papaco said the increasing number of young players is evident. 

“I’m really starting to see that it’s getting younger and younger. We’re starting to see it in colleges more, and we’re even starting to see it in highschools. There’s high school leagues that are currently happening,” Papaco said.

Papaco said another reason pickleball is growing so fast is because of its low-cost entry. 

“You can find many places to play, and you don’t need a traditional, dedicated court to play. You can play in someone’s driveway,” Papaco said.

Papaco said pickleball significantly impacts the social skills, teamwork and confidence in youth players greatly. 

“If you’re playing with two random people, you’re always introducing yourself. And then afterwards, you’re always touching paddles at the end,” Papaco said. “It’s all about keeping it fun, keeping it light hearted, and you’re just meeting so many people.”

Papaco said pickleball changes lives. 

“I’ve seen widows, who have joined their local YMCA League, and all of a sudden they have a sense of community again,” Papaco said.

Papaco also encourages getting involved through USA Pickleball’s youth program provider membership and grant program, which offer more opportunities for engagement in the sport.