Grand Rapids Pickleball Team Falls Short in Record Bid: Pickleball players in Grand Rapids set out with an ambitious goal to break the world record for the longest consecutive pickleball game, currently standing at 34 hours and 5 minutes. However, their attempt ended after 14 ½ hours due to timing issues during their breaks. The team—comprised of Brad Haverkamp, Julie Ondersma, Sydney Sonday, and Caleb Dang—was playing not only for the record but also to raise funds for Gift of Life Michigan, according to event spokesperson Phil de Haan.
A Promising Start, a Sudden Hurdle
The record attempt began at 8 a.m. on Saturday at All In Pickleball Gym, and the players were making strong progress. However, as de Haan explained, an error in the allotted break times became a critical obstacle. To remain compliant with Guinness World Records’ strict guidelines, the team considered shortening subsequent breaks to compensate.
“We discussed continuing with the record attempt and making our next break 5 minutes shorter, thus quickly giving back to Guinness the 5 minutes we had unwittingly borrowed earlier in the day. If they didn’t verify, we would know we had broken the record, but it might not be an official Guinness record.” – (Phil de Haan)
Ultimately, the group decided to end the attempt around 10:30 p.m.
Energy and Disappointment
The team’s spirits were high throughout their 14 ½ hours of play, supported by an enthusiastic crowd and a lively atmosphere boosted by a concurrent Special Olympics tournament at the venue.
“It was a very disappointing outcome, especially because the team was still going strong after 14.5 hours at All In (Pickleball Gym) and 13.5 hours of spirited play. Also, because we had such great witnesses there to watch and cheer on the quartet, we had a great Livestream going, there was great energy in the building from the Special Olympics tournament, and more.” – (Phil de Haan)
He praised the effort, acknowledging the energy from the crowd and the support of witnesses who logged the attempt. A live stream of the event had drawn viewers as well, further amplifying the sense of camaraderie.
Preparing for the Next Challenge
Despite the setback, the team is already looking ahead. De Haan expressed confidence in the players and the organizers to refine their strategy for a future attempt.
“I think the team learned a lot about what it will take to break the record (and I am confident they will do so) and those of us who were coordinating the witnesses and logbook learned a few things too about the schedule, unplanned rest breaks and uninterrupted play. I am confident that both the on-court team and off-court team are ready for the next attempt.” – (Phil de Haan)
News in Brief: Grand Rapids Pickleball Team Falls Short in Record Bid
A Grand Rapids pickleball team fell short in its attempt to break the world record for the longest consecutive pickleball game, stopping after 14 ½ hours due to break-time errors. The attempt, held at All In Pickleball Gym, aimed to surpass the 34-hour and 5-minute record while raising funds for Gift of Life Michigan.
Despite their efforts, the team decided to halt the game after discussing rule violations. Event spokesperson Phil de Haan expressed optimism about a future attempt, highlighting lessons learned and the strong community support.
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