Pickleball Has an Insurance Problem

Gift guide. Polite Noise Complaints. Devidze conspiracy.

December 07, 2022

The pickleball paddle has cracked Google's Top 100 gifts in 2022. It's sandwiched comfortably between a mini Belgian waffle maker and a candle-making kit, which if you combine the three, would make for a pretty interesting night.

But don't settle on any paddle, hit The Dink Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect pickleball accouterment for the pickle addict in your life.

Let's get into some pickle!

Let's Face it, Backhands Suck

It's rare to find a player who prefers their backhand over their forehand. Some players, even pros, make a concerted effort to avoid backhands at all costs.

James Ignatowich debuted a new way to eliminate the backhand last weekend in Orlando. While chasing down a dink, Iggy actually turned his back to the net to complete one of the most absurd ATPs you will ever see.

Instead of hitting a weak backhand while sliding, Iggy went goofy-footed and utilized the power of his dominant hand. He spun away from the net so that the ball was on the right side of his body.

With the ball on his right side, the stroke employs the same muscle groups as a forehand, just in the opposite direction. Watch Ignatowich put the stroke into action here.

If your backhand ATP isn't getting the job done, give this variation a try. If you pull this off in rec play, odds are it's not coming back.

Everything You Need For Pickleball Under One Roof

Rhino Pickleball has paddles, balls and portable nets perfect for players at all levels. It's the best selection of training aids to support player development. Up your game with court markers, cones, and other fitness accessories that take drill work to the next level.

The Most Polite Way to Say, "I'll Sue You"

We’re used to seeing ridiculous TV segments and grouchy tennis players bicker about the growth and noise associated with pickleball; but in Arlington, a group of neighbors seems pretty encouraging.

"We're not against the sport. We want you to have fun. We want you to go out and exercise and be with your friends,” one of them told a local news agency about a gang of players at nearby hybrid courts who play from 7am till 10pm.

One of the most fascinating demands these neighbors have placed on the city? Make more courts available elsewhere to spread out players and redirect some of the noise.

Imagine that: solving pickleball noise complaints with MORE courts, not fewer! An interesting tactic we hope other noise complainers have the clarity of mind to suggest.

Mind you, these neighbors are threatening to sue if these actions aren’t taken. So let’s hope the city responds…it could turn out to be a win-win.

Season's Dinkings

We have an exciting development to share with you: our 2022 Pickleball Gift Guide.

It seems like everyone is cashing in on the popularity of the game and the idea that people may want to buy something related to it. But these lists seem to target newbie players.

So we wanted to create a gift guide chock full of unique pickleball products that fit the needs of serious players. Our guide features all kinds of price points, from a pickleball card game stocking stuffer to a therapeutic cold plunge tub.

We hope you’ll find this guide a useful companion if you’re shopping for a pickle fanatic this year. Happy Holidays!

Master Your Topspin

How many times have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself): how can I hit topspin like the pros?

Thankfully, there's a way to practice that doesn't even require another player.

TopspinPro makes an excellent gift this time of year and will have you spinning in no time!

Pickleball's Insurance Problem

While pickleball mega-centers are under construction in Florida, the sport faces a boring (but important) problem there: insurance.

"We ain't touchin' pickleball with a ten foot pole" - insurance companies.

Wait a moment, aren’t we supposed to be the “safe” sport?

Despite pickleball being less strenuous than tennis, apparently the issue is that the Floridian scene typically involves a more 'senior' demographic (never mind the hurricanes).

Just when you thought you knew all the reasons to hate insurance companies: add ageism to the list. Where are the social justice warriors when you need 'em?

Read the full story on Insurance Journal.

A Paddle for Power AND Spin

After over two years of research and collaboration with top pros like Tyson McGuffin, Selkirk's VANGUARD Power Air addresses the need for both power and spin.

This is the future of pickleball technology. Be a part of it. Learn more here.

No One to Blame

Former professional tennis player Salome Devidze has quickly become one of the top women's singles players in the game (and also one of the most controversial). One eager fan cooked up a conspiracy theory to defend Devidze's loss to Anna Leigh Waters last Sunday.

The theory was thoroughly debunked and Devidze jumped into the comments:

"😂 😂🤣 thank you for making excuses for me!!!! But trust me I had plenty of problems out there today, but the advertisement in the background wasn't one of them!!!! And maybe I should have read what it says when I was out on the court...Next time I am requesting for it to say: "Don't Miss a volley!!!" PPA Tour please make sure that happens!!!! 😂🙄😊"

She has a less than perfect reputation when it comes to line calls but you love to see her sense of humor in a situation like this.

Players have noted that the brightness of the LED board can make it a little more difficult to see the ball but as Tyson McGuffin explained on the McGuffin Show, players' requests to turn down the brightness are typically accommodated.

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