What is Pickleball?

While searching for homes for sale in Southeastern North Carolina, you will occasionally see “pickleball court” listed under a community’s amenities. Suppose you’re from the Pacific Northwest, Florida, or Arizona. In that case, Pickleball may be old news to you. Still, if you’re from other areas of the United States, you may not be as familiar with the game, which has become so popular in Wilmington that communities have started creating accommodations for the game and converting old tennis courts for play. For this reason, we thought it would be a good idea to provide a short intro to the growing trend of Pickleball.

History of Pickleball

Pickleball, a sport that has taken the U.S. by storm, is a racket or paddle game played either as singles or doubles. Participants use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net. The game is a unique blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, with specific rules and court dimensions that give it a distinct identity. Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a children’s backyard pastime, it has evolved into a popular sport across the United States and beyond​​.

The creation of Pickleball is credited to Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell. The game’s name is often humorously debated — was it named after a dog named Pickles or the term “pickle boat”? Regardless of its origins, the game quickly spread from its humble beginnings to other parts of the U.S. By 2023, over 4.8 million players were engaged in the sport​​.

Wilmington, NC, has embraced Pickleball with open arms, reflecting a national trend of the sport’s explosive growth. Facilities are expanding, like at Wrightsville Beach Park, and the upcoming Tidewater Pickleball Park in Castle Hayne, which will boast 25 courts and additional amenities.

How to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is played on a 44-ft by 20-ft court with a 34-inch-high net. It can be played as singles or doubles. The game starts with an underhand serve from behind the baseline, diagonally to the opponent’s service court. Points can only be scored by the serving side and are played to 11, 15, or 21, usually with a 2-point lead required to win. The non-volley zone (7 feet from the net) prevents ‘smashing’. The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. Faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, not clearing the net, or volleying in the non-volley zone.

Public Outdoor Pickleball Courts in the Wilmington Area

1. Northern Regional Park (Wilmington) – 6 Dedicated Courts
2. Arrowhead Park (Wilmington) – 6 Dedicated Courts
3. Wrightsville Beach Park and Rec (Wrightsville Beach) – 4 Dedicated Courts + 4 Lined Courts (bring a net)
4. Greenfield Lake Park (Wilmington) – 4 Lined Courts​*
5. Eugene Ashley High School/Veteran’s Park (Wilmington) – 6 Lined Courts*
6. Robert Strange Park (Wilmington) – 6 Lined Courts*
7. Legion Stadium Courts (Wilmington) – 8 Lined Courts*
8. Mike Chappell Park (Carolina Beach) – 4 Lined Courts*
9. Joe Eakes Park (Kure Beach) – 5 Lined Courts
10. Town Creek Park (Winnabow) – 2 Lined Courts
11. Shallotte District Park (Shallotte) – 2 Courts with Tennis Nets
12. Topsail Beach Pickleball Courts (Surf City)- 2 Dedicated Courts

*Has an onsite storage box with nets (and sometimes balls and paddles) for members of the Cape Fear Pickleball Club.

Non-Public Outdoor Pickleball Courts (Require Membership/Pay)

1. Beau Rivage Golf & Resort (Wilmington) – 6 Dedicated Courts
2. Fitness Zone at the Davis Community (Wilmington) – 2 Dedicated Courts
3. Belvedere Pickleball Center at Ironclad Golf (Hampstead) – 6 Dedicated Courts

Non-Public Indoor Pickleball Courts (Require Membership/Pay)

1. House of Pickleball (HOP) (Leland) – 12 Dedicated Courts
2. Ogden YMCA Activity Center (Wilmington) – 2 Lined Courts
3. Lutheran Church of Reconciliation (Wilmington) – 3 Courts *$3 Donation Request
4. Midtown YMCA (Wilmington) – 3 Lined Courts
5. NIR Family YMCA (Wilmington) – 4 Lined Courts
6. Davis Center @ Maides Park (Wilmington) – 2 Lined Courts
7. MLK Community Center (Wilmington) – 2 Lined Courts
8. Dinah E. Gore Sports & Aquatics Complex, Brunswick Community College (Bolivia) – 4 Lined Courts
9. Carolina Beach Recreation Center  (Carolina Beach) – 2 Lined Courts
10. Penderlea Community Park Gymnasium (Willard) – 2 Lined Courts

Want to enjoy this sport close to home? See a list of communities with Pickleball Courts here.

These courts are a mix of indoor and outdoor, with various amenities like lights, permanent lines, and nets. The widespread availability of courts in Wilmington (with future additions already planned) is a testament to the growing love for the game among locals.

In conclusion, Pickleball’s rise in popularity is evident in communities like Wilmington, NC, where the sport is not just a means of exercise but also a social and recreational outlet. With the city’s continuous efforts to provide more courts and facilities, Pickleball’s future in Wilmington looks as bright as ever.