Faye Gulini Pickleball Family Fun: Four-time U.S. Olympic snowboarder Faye Gulini says pickleball is the ideal activity for families of all ages. Gulini, who began playing about two years ago, recently attended a professional pickleball tournament with her family and friends, where she watched 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters display her impressive skills on the court.
Inspired by Young Talent
Gulini was excited to see Anna Leigh Waters dominate opponents at such a young age, reminding her of her own early success in snowboarding.
“I think youthfulness in any sport is super valuable, and when you’re young and you’re at the beginning of your professional career, it’s almost the easiest time because you have no expectations. Sure Anna Leigh has been a pro for a long time, but it’s still the idea that when you’re young, you don’t have the fear of failure. You’re really just out there, having a good time, doing what you’re good at, and taking full advantage of your youth and athleticism. That only gets tougher as you get older,” explained Gulini. “When you’re young, a lot of the conditioning comes naturally versus when you’re older. The training and conditioning is much tougher and it’s more about discipline. But all that hard work matters a lot more towards the tail end of your career.”
Enjoying the Game as a Fan
As a professional athlete, Faye Gulini said she enjoyed watching the energy and effort of the pickleball players.
“It’s so fun to be a spectator at pro sports because, as an athlete, you know all the energy, the effort, the sacrifice that goes into the athletes being here,” she emphasized. “But I do like to sit back stress free and enjoy their hard work as opposed to stressing about my own, so it’s pretty refreshing.”
Playing Without Pressure
While many athletes are highly competitive, Faye Gulini admitted she keeps her pickleball games relaxed.
“I’ve never had good hand-eye coordination, and obviously in snowboarding you don’t need anything like that, so pickleball was pretty tricky for me to learn. I’m not competitive with pickleball like I am with snowboarding because I’m not that good at pickleball,” she said. “If I was better, I probably would be, but if I was competitive about it, then I’d be upset every day. It’s better for me to just have fun, not take it too seriously, and enjoy time with friends and family.”
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A Sport for the Whole Family
For Faye Gulini, pickleball is more than just a game. It is a way to bring loved ones together.
“My husband loves to play and all my friends play pickleball. It’s a social activity for us, and it’s also so family friendly. The tournaments are so family-friendly, and when we go and play with our friends at a park, they’ll bring their kids so all the kids can go play on the playground and we all can make a fun day out of it,” she concluded. “It’s a great sport for everybody.”
Why It Matters
Faye Gulini’s love for pickleball shows how the sport appeals to athletes and families alike. Her experience highlights pickleball’s ability to bring people together in a fun, active way without the pressure of competition. As more families discover it, pickleball continues to grow as one of the fastest-rising sports in the United States.
News in Brief: Faye Gulini Pickleball Family Fun
Olympic snowboarder Faye Gulini says pickleball is a fun, family-friendly sport that anyone can enjoy. Gulini plays casually with friends and loves watching pro matches, including rising star Anna Leigh Waters. She believes pickleball’s social nature makes it perfect for families to spend time together while staying active.
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