Chiang Mai pickleball club going international

Pickleball is a mix of badminton, tennis and table tennis and one of the fastest growing sports in the USA. It's also getting traction here in Chiang Mai.

By | Mon 11 Feb 2019

It has been 3 years since we last reported on the Chiang Mai Pickleball Club and a lot has happened in that time. The club has changed location, tripled the number of courts and grown an enthusiastic membership of both farang and Thai players.

Pickleball has been described as a mix of badminton, tennis and table tennis and is one of the fastest growing sports in the USA. It is played on a badminton sized court with a tennis style net and table tennis style paddles.

Pickleball is a sport that can be enjoyed at any level and at any age and the club welcomes anyone who wishes to play, whether you are just interested in the health and social aspects or want to take it to a more competitive level. It is not unknown for people walking past, who pause to watch, being lured in and on to the courts.

Members have been making a mark by competing in international tournaments with great success. In the recent Indian Open in Mumbai, Chiang Mai players had podium finishes in the Men’s and Women’s doubles as well as the mixed doubles. This was against teams from around SE Asia, India, the US and Europe.

The exposure and success of Chiang Mai players in these tournaments is really helping to put Chiang Mai on the international map. One of the hopes of the Chiang Mai Pickleball Club is to host a Thailand Open tournament here in the future and show off the city and what we have to offer.

Daniel Moore, one of the best players in the world currently, will soon be leading a tour of international pickleball players to Chiang Mai to both play and explore the city, further enhancing the reputation of Chiang Mai as a pickleball destination.

Regular playing days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am on the courts at the corner of Thipanet Road and Hai Ya Road. Just search for Chiang Mai Pickleball Club on Google maps.

It only costs 20 baht to play for as long as you want and there is no need to have any special equipment. Paddles are available to borrow when you first start and balls and nets are supplied by the club.

For all the details visit the club Facebook Group at Chiang Mai Pickle Ball club

Related Article: Grab a paddle and give it a try!!