Meet the Pickle Breakers: Four pickleball players will try to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon pickleball rally this weekend at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas. The group plans to play for 36 hours straight from April 12 at 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. April 13.
The current record stands at 34 hours and 5 minutes, set in the UK. The team, calling themselves “The Pickle Breakers,” hopes to bring the title back to the U.S. They are allowed one 5-minute break per hour. The effort is also a fundraiser for Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a Coppell-based nonprofit that supports families dealing with loss.
Meet the Pickle Breakers
Chong Kim
Kim completed a 50-state pickleball tour in 45 days last year to raise awareness about mental health. During that journey, he met a woman who once held the longest-played game record. “He told her he would one day break that record and bring the title back to the U.S.”
Kim also enjoys marathons, triathlons, biking, volleyball, skiing, and soccer.
Geneva Olson
Olson works at an indoor pickleball center in South Dakota. She connected with Kim and joined the effort because of a personal connection. “She previously lost a brother.” She said she wants to “show her four daughters that they can do anything they put their mind to.”
Jaret Petras
Petras is a certified pickleball coach and sports scientist. He played college soccer at Stony Brook University and also played professionally in Europe. He’s a Czech National Champion in men’s singles and doubles and holds a 5.0+ DUPR.
Laura Maala
Maala is from Estonia but now lives in North Dakota. She enjoys multiple sports including swimming, disc golf, and roller skating. “The idea of setting a world record excites me as it combines my love for the sport with my drive to push my limits and achieve excellence,” she said.
Why the Record Matters
The attempt is not just about setting a record. The players hope their effort will bring attention to the positive role pickleball can play in mental health and healing after loss. The challenge also supports a cause that offers free grief support to families in need.
Their attempt may inspire others to use sports as a way to overcome challenges. The Pickle Breakers hope to not only make history but also make a difference.
News in Brief: Meet the Pickle Breakers
Four players will try to break the world record for longest pickleball game this weekend in Carrollton, Texas. Playing as “The Pickle Breakers,” they aim to play 36 hours straight while raising awareness and funds for Taylor’s Gift Foundation, which supports families dealing with grief and mental health challenges.