Pickleball Thrives in Columbia: Pickleball is rapidly growing in Columbia, with new facilities and pickleball leagues attracting players of all ages. The sport played on small courts with short nets and a plastic ball, has seen a 223.5% growth rate in the past three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
Columbia is embracing the trend by expanding public leagues and constructing new venues. Abbott ‘Tre’ Bray, an adjunct pickleball professor at the University of South Carolina and Lexington County School District 2 Board of Trustees member, is a strong advocate for the sport’s growth.
Pickleball Gains Popularity Among Young Players
Originally popular with retirees, pickleball is now attracting younger players, especially in high schools and colleges. Bray, who teaches pickleball classes, has seen a surge in interest.
“I don’t know how fast it’s growing, but it feels like one of the fastest-growing P.E. classes, and the kids who take it really love it. What I love about it is it’s a skill you carry for the rest of your life – pickleball you can play until you’re 100 years old.” – (Bray)
Bray’s classes at USC fill up quickly, with waitlists forming soon after enrollment opens.
“My two classes this semester both had waitlists very soon after opening.” – (Bray)
Accessibility and Social Appeal Draw Players
Pickleball is known for its accessibility, making it attractive to players of all fitness levels. Mark Williams, assistant director of the Family Life Center at Columbia Fitness Club, highlighted the sport’s appeal.
“That court that’s significantly smaller than a large tennis court is less intimidating to someone who maybe hasn’t run a lot or isn’t in the best shape. You can use pickleball to get in shape. But you can just go play even if you’re not in shape.” – (Williams)
The game also fosters social connections, as players interact before and during matches.
“It’s one of those games that everybody can get out and play. You just go out to an open court, and you introduce yourself before every game and you talk during the points.” – (Bray)
Columbia resident Ed Schuler shared how pickleball impacted his life.
“I started playing a year ago, and I was hooked immediately. It’s not just about playing a sport – it’s about the community. You meet people from all walks of life, and it keeps you coming back.” – (Schuler)
New Facilities Aim to Meet Demand
With the sport’s growing popularity, Columbia is planning new facilities, including PickleGarden, a riverfront pickleball venue near the Saluda rapids on the Three Rivers Greenway. The facility will include pickleball courts, a food area, and the city’s largest biergarten. Bray, a partner on the project, explained its purpose.
“We have some wonderful riverwalks, but there’s really nothing you can do at the riverwalk to take it a step further. If you need to stop and eat or have a drink or you take your kids with a bike there, but then you just bike and you leave. So part of the concept is having a place you can stay a while.” – (Bray)
Columbia Aims to Become a Pickleball Hub
Bray believes Columbia has the potential to become a major pickleball destination, following the example of Opelika, Alabama, a well-known pickleball hotspot.
“There is a great population of pickleball in Aiken, Augusta. There’s really strong pickleball in Greenville. … But when you start to get in the higher levels, you can’t just rely on one city to be competitive; you need a broader range. … Columbia could poise itself really well to be the Opelika of the Southeast.” – (Bray)
The city aims to create a culture where pickleball extends beyond casual play and becomes a key part of the community.
“I think the overall diversity of pickleball is just something that just doesn’t get spoken about enough. If you get a chance to go to an open play, … you will not find a more diverse group of people all hanging out having a fun time than you’ll find at a pickleball court.” – (Bray)
News in Brief: Pickleball Thrives in Columbia
Columbia is embracing pickleball’s growth with new public leagues and facilities. USC professor Tre Bray supports the sport’s expansion, with high demand for classes. The planned PickleGarden will bring pickleball courts, dining, and entertainment to the riverfront. Columbia aims to become a pickleball hub in the Southeast.
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