Susannah Barr’s Pickleball Journey: Susannah Barr has made a remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Army to becoming a professional pickleball player. After starting pickleball in 2018 due to a tennis injury, she quickly rose through the ranks while balancing motherhood and a busy career. Now, she is a coach and business owner, working to grow the sport worldwide.
How Susannah Discovered Pickleball
Susannah Barr first played pickleball in 2018 after an elbow injury made tennis too painful. Without prior experience, she bought Selkirk paddles from Amazon and practiced with her 10-year-old son, Porter, at a YMCA in Boise, Idaho.
From Military Service to Teaching
Before pickleball, Susannah served five years in the U.S. Army as an Arabic linguist and interceptor. After the military, she earned a master’s degree and taught English as a second language for ten years. “I’ve always been fascinated by other cultures and languages. Teaching ESL was incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Balancing Motherhood and Competition
Susannah’s pickleball career began alongside her son, Porter. The two traveled to regional tournaments together, growing closer through the sport and competition. This unique bond helped fuel her passion for the game.
Challenges of the Pro Pickleball Life
As the pro pickleball world grows, Susannah offers a real look at its challenges. Managing travel, finding partners, building a personal brand, and earning money are all part of the job. She notes, “There’s this illusion that pro players have it made — but most of us are still figuring it out as we go.”
Coaching and Building a Brand
Susannah is also a coach and entrepreneur. She co-founded The Flying Pickle, an indoor pickleball facility in Boise with 18 courts. She shares tips and drills online to help players improve. Building a brand is important to her, not only for sponsorships but for long-term career success.
Growing Pickleball Around the World
International travel is a key part of Susannah’s story. She recently competed in Spain and hopes to introduce pickleball to the Middle East, combining her love of languages and travel with the sport. “Pickleball has given me so much. I want to help it grow in new corners of the world,” she said.
What’s Next for Susannah Barr
Looking ahead, Susannah plans to host pickleball camps in Mexico with Dominic Catalano. She will also compete in Major League Pickleball (MLP) and work on expanding her Boise club’s reach.
Susannah Barr’s journey shows how pickleball can bring new opportunities and connect people globally. Her story highlights the growing popularity of the sport and the dedication needed to succeed as a professional player and coach.
News in Brief: Susannah Barr’s Pickleball Journey
Susannah Barr moved from the U.S. Army to professional pickleball after a tennis injury. She plays with her son, coaches at The Flying Pickle in Boise, and works to grow the sport worldwide. Barr plans camps in Mexico and will compete in Major League Pickleball soon.