In McKinney, Texas, Jill Belyea, a pickleball enthusiast, turned her passion into a meaningful initiative to support her son’s baseball program at Memorial High School. This is the story of how she transformed a simple pickleball tournament into a win for all. Tasked with helping raise funds for her son’s HS baseball booster club, Jill saw an opportunity in her favorite sport – pickleball. She envisioned a tournament that would not only showcase the excitement of the game but also contribute to the success of the Memorial HS Baseball program. The tournament was hosted at the Courts of McKinne ..read more

By: PEP Pickleball Remember the small talk session that turned from “What are you binging on Netflix?” to “What did you do last weekend?” When you quietly remarked, “I played pickleball,” middle school insecurities burned in your rosy cheeks as you were met with a confused expression.  Enter nervous laugh and a quick subject change. Maybe you thought that keeping this new hobby on the down low would be best, but it quickly proved impossible.  The more you played, the more fun you had.  The better you got, and the more competitive you became.  There was no turning back ..read more

Read on for a free gift from PEP Pickleball By: Jill Christiansen Long story short, I want to crush it in 2023. I thought making a list of New Year’s Resolutions seemed like a good start. However, that process quickly turned sideways. Overwhelm set in when I remembered most of my past resolutions have left me feeling anxious or hangry.  This year I’ve come up with a better plan, and I’m eager to share. What’s my New Year’s resolution?!?  Drumroll please…. Play More Pickleball. I founded PEP Pickleball, but the truth is, I am not getting out on the courts as often as I would lik ..read more

By: Andrea Stark Many are the ways we have experienced the unconditional love of a mother. As we prepare to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day, PEP invites you to consider how to love mom back through the love language of pickleball! Read on to discover how to speak Mom’s love language with a little help from PEP! Words of Affirmation With this stylish paddle, Mom is certain to be receiving tons of compliments from her friends at the pickleball court.  With PEP backing her game, she’ll be able to excel on the court. “Nice Shot!” “Great spin!” “Wow, another ace?!?”  If words of aff ..read more

By: Andrea Stark Remember when a competitive drive wasn’t just for getting ahead at work?  Recall when working up a sweat wasn’t achieved by running late getting kids to school?  Do you ever reminisce about when the excitement of a win wasn’t something we watched professional athletes enjoy on TV?  Do you ever think about when a physical challenge wasn’t a couch to 5k?  Me, too.  Many women believe the days of being an athlete are in the past. If you are like me, you’ve logged many hours on a treadmill wondering if a “runners high” is a completely made up inside ..read more

By: Andrea Stark The women of PEP Pickleball have given Wordle a shot, and we are convinced that pickleball reigns supreme.  Here are three reasons you think you like Wordle, but why Pickleball is actually better! 1. It’s just fun A January New York Times article reports “there is this new thing online that is just fun.”  Ok, so I get it, in a world full of complications, decision fatigue, and stress a little escape can be nothing more than a guilty pleasure.  Sure, that’s true.  Right!?  Or is it…  Who hasn’t pulled out their phone for a quick game but acc ..read more

By: Andrea Stark At PEP we don’t need a holiday as a reason to recognize the amazing women in our lives, but we love to celebrate – so let the good times roll! We’ll go first! As a company and brand designed for women, we are fortunate to be dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and empowering women every day of the year. We love that the ladies of PEP bring their authentic selves to the courts.  Together we make up a community that welcomes new friends to the game, empowers elite players, builds meaningful relationships, and encourages a healthy lifestyle.  We recognize that ..read more

Everything she needs to know to get in the game. By: Andrea Stark A wise woman once said, “Pickle, what?”  Ladies, we hear you!  It’s no fun to be late to the party, but don’t sweat it, PEP has your back! You can go from perplexed to pro in no time! In the name of informative fun, let’s talk basics, while highlighting three common responses to not knowing what someone is talking about. Look puzzled, act skeptical Are you making this up? Seriously, what is Pickleball? Pickleball is a paddle sport where players volley a perforated plastic ball (think wiffle ball).  It can b ..read more

We didn’t make the rules, but recommend following them!  The pros at USA Pickleball Association know the dill, I mean deal Basic Rules Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles The Serve The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck. Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level. The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact. A ‘drop serve’ is also permitted in which c ..read more

Pickleball is a unique cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and it’s the best sport in the world! While the rules of the game itself are extremely simple, the lingo can be difficult to learn when you’re just starting out. So, how can you become fluent in pickleball? Girl, we’ve got you! We have compiled a list of basic pickleball terms to help you hit the court with confidence. You’ll be speaking the language in no time! Ace: A serve that is not returned by your opponent, resulting in a point. Carry: A hit that results in the ball being “carried” along the face of the paddle r ..read more