Lund Family’s Pickleball Journey: Matt Lund and his family turned to pickleball during the pandemic and have since made it a central part of their lives. Starting in Oregon with no prior experience, the Lunds grew from casual players into serious competitors, traveling for tournaments. Today, they live in Florida, where Matt leads a new pickleball center and the whole family stays involved in the sport.
During the pandemic, Matt Lund, CEO of a YMCA in Oregon, noticed his gym was empty. He decided to bring his wife Stephanie and their four children—Adalynn (15), Christian (14), Payton (11), and McKaelynn (10)—into the gym to try pickleball, a sport they had never played before.
“I thought, let’s get the kids in the gym and try something new. We’d seen seniors playing pickleball before the shutdown, and it just seemed like something worth trying.” – (Matt)
This activity gave them a safe way to connect and stay active.
From First Steps to Tournament Success
At first, the Lund family learned pickleball by playing together at home. Matt came from a basketball background, and Stephanie had played volleyball, but none had used a paddle before. Soon, they were joining local pickup games in parks.
Matt and Stephanie entered a 3.5-level tournament and won gold, which inspired the whole family. Adalynn and Christian played in a 3.0 division against adults and won bronze medals.
“They just fell in love with it. From there, we started entering them in more events, coaching them, traveling together. It all took off.” – (matt)
The family began coaching the kids and traveling to more events, turning their hobby into a lifestyle. Now, the Lunds compete in 12 to 16 tournaments each year.
Adalynn and Christian have reached the 5.0 skill level and have tried pro qualifiers with major tours. Adalynn is ranked among the top 10 youth players worldwide.
“I never imagined we’d be here. But pickleball brought us closer as a family. It gave us something all six of us could do — not just spectate, but really participate in together.” – (Stephanie)
Life on the Road and New Opportunities
The family spent years traveling with a trailer, playing tournaments across California, Oregon, and Washington. Recently, they moved to Florida for better chances in pickleball.
Matt is now the CEO of a new pickleball facility in Sarasota, and Stephanie works alongside him. Their children help teach lessons and run clinics. Stephanie explained how they balance school and travel, saying,
“The opportunities here are incredible. I’m now the CEO of a new pickleball facility in Sarasota, and Stephanie works with me. The kids help with lessons and clinics. It’s just part of our daily life.” – (matt)
“The kids do miss school sometimes. But we stay in touch with their teachers, bring schoolwork on the road, and make sure they stay on top of it. It’s all about balance — and priorities.” – (Stephanie)
For the Lunds, pickleball is a priority but also a source of learning life skills like confidence and social growth.
“Our kids have learned how to handle long travel days, meet new people, compete under pressure. They’ve made friends across the country, and grown in ways we never expected.” – (matt)
Playing as a Family
Playing pickleball together isn’t always easy.
“That’s one of the top questions we get. People ask, ‘How can you play with your spouse and not argue?’ And honestly, it’s about understanding each other. We’re not just partners, we’re teammates.” – (matt)
“We’ve had tough games and hard losses, but we talk through it. It’s helped the kids, too — they’ve learned how to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.” – (Stephanie)
Adalynn and Christian play with a style that focuses on control and strategy rather than power.
“We’re not a banger family. We taught them the slow game first — how to dink, reset, and move people around. It’s become our signature style.” – (Stephanie)
Looking Ahead
As the children improve, Matt and Stephanie are shifting to coaching roles.
“My son is probably already playing at a 5.3 or 5.4 level. I can’t keep up with him forever. But I’ll keep coaching him. That’s the role I want now.” – (matt)
Payton and McKaelynn are playing competitively at a 3.5 level, following their siblings’ footsteps. Matt hopes to see the family playing together in doubles matches, saying,
“Eventually, the dream is to see the girls playing together in women’s doubles and the boys in men’s. And maybe even some mixed against each other. That would be really special.” – (matt)
Stephanie reflected on the journey, saying,
“The proudest moments aren’t always the medals. It’s watching them grow up, hearing the crowd cheer for them, seeing them soak it all in. We’re proud parents.” – (Stephanie)
Advice for Other Families
For families interested in pickleball, the Lunds recommend starting simply.
“Pickleball can feel awkward at first. The scoring is weird, the ball doesn’t bounce right, but give it time. Take a clinic, play with your kids, and make mistakes together. That’s part of the fun.” – (matt)
“You don’t need to be athletic. You don’t need fancy gear. Just get out there and try. You’ll be surprised at what it brings to your family.” – (Stephanie)
News in Brief: Lund Family’s Pickleball Journey
The Lund family from Oregon found pickleball during the pandemic and grew into top players and coaches. Now based in Florida, they compete in many pickleball tournaments yearly. Their story shows how pickleball can bring families closer while building skills and friendships. The Lunds encourage others to start playing together, no matter their skill level.
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