Inside Pickleball Podcast: Joola Employees's based in Germany Discuss The Pickleball Boom

 

The Growth of Pickleball in Europe and Joola's Contributions Pickleball originated in the US but has been spreading across Europe over the past decade. Companies like Joola are helping drive interest and participation through sponsorships, new equipment, and support for local clubs and tournaments. There is still room for substantial growth, especially around facilities and competitive play. But the momentum is rising toward making pickleball a mainstream racket sport across Europe. Truc Vo and Bastian Grau Lead Joola's European Pickleball Efforts Joola entered the pickleball market in the US in 2021 and expanded to Europe shortly after. Truc Vo, based in Germany, oversees their European pickleball business as a marketing manager. Although he played table tennis recreationally, Truc did not have a professional background in racket sports before joining Joola 3 years ago. Bastian Grau balances playing pickleball professionally while now working full-time for Joola as well. He has been competing in tournaments for 5 years after first discovering the sport in the US. Bastian's experience and connections among the top European players provides valuable insight as Joola aims to grow sponsorships and awareness. Uneven Growth of Pickleball Across European Countries The UK currently has the most well-established pickleball community in Europe. Joola also sees high demand for equipment there. But other countries have been slower on the uptake. Spain is making strides too, although Joola has found it difficult to break into the market there so far. Germany already has around 70 pickleball clubs, but growth has largely stagnated. Other parts of Europe are still in the early phases of introducing pickleball and establishing a base of players. Lack of Dedicated Facilities Holding Back Progress One of the biggest obstacles facing pickleball in Europe is a shortage of courts specifically designed for competitive play. The vast majority of courts are shared badminton facilities with makeshift lines painted on a gym floor. This leads to frustrating playing conditions compared to the professional pickleball venues found in the US. Some tennis clubs have converted courts to pickleball, which helps provide a better surface and eliminate overlapping lines. But across most of Europe, players still struggle to find available time on tailored pickleball courts. And the subpar experiences likely deter some new players from taking up the sport more seriously. Having high-quality courts and consistent playing conditions will be key for Europe to develop talent capable of competing with elite pickleball athletes from the US. Top European players currently lack the training infrastructure to match their American counterparts. Joola Launching New Equipment for European Pickleball Despite the challenges, Joola sees massive growth potential for pickleball across Europe. They continue innovating equipment tailored specifically for the sport. Joola recently released the Helus 40 outdoor ball. It provides a true, consistent bounce along with more speed and pop compared to conventional indoor balls used outdoors. Players testing it gave very positive reviews. Their new Hyperion C2 paddle merges two previous popular designs - the Hyperion and Perseus - into one. It combines a comfortable elongated shape with a carbon fiber surface that generates spin and power. Joola's sponsored athletes also gain valuable input testing different paddle models. Bastian Grau often uses the Scorpio for its balanced control, while Truc Vo experiments frequently with Joola's various paddles. Advice for New and Improving Pickleball Players For newcomers to pickleball with tennis or other racket sport experience, Joola recommends starting with a mid-range paddle in the $150-$200 range. These offer very good performance without the huge price tag of pro paddles. Joola cannot drive growth alone. They emphasize the need for national associations, local clubs, and other entities to actively promote pickleball and make the sport more accessible. Creating a welcoming environment for all skill levels will be key. Joola also plans to sponsor more small tournaments. Cultivating homegrown talent from across Europe is crucial. Their aim is to develop a deep roster of sponsored players repping Joola. Broadening support for pickleball globally, not just focused in the US market, remains a priority as well. More Events and Innovations Coming Soon This December, Joola is sponsoring multiple pickleball tournaments across Europe - in Austria, Spain, Sweden, and elsewhere. These events continue elevating the level of competition and participation on the continent. Joola is also launching a new portable net system without a middle crossbar. This Symmetry Net should improve play and ball bounce at temporary setups. More product innovations are in the works as Joola leans into pickleball’s growth. Conclusion: Exciting Times Ahead for European Pickleball Pickleball is still in the early phases of expansion across much of Europe. But Joola and other leading equipment companies will continue advancing the sport’s development through investments at all levels. From grassroots community play to professional tournaments, the future looks bright. Building more permanent courts and establishing organized competition will be instrumental for long-term growth. With the right infrastructure and support, Europe can become a pickleball hotbed to rival the US.