New Zealand is getting in on the pickleball craze as well. And the country now has its first-ever dedicated pickleball facility in Te Rapa, Hamilton.
The dedicated facility, aptly named “Topspin Pickleball” has reportedly sold 300 memberships two months before its grand opening. This warm response is no doubt indicative of the growing popularity of the sport in New Zealand.
Owner Ruben Waihi, himself an avid pickler, is stoked by the response his facility has gotten.
Ruben was first introduced to pickleball on a routine trip to the U.S., where he got his first taste of pickleball action.
“My friend took me to this community gym in Utah and there was all these retired guys, Ruben told Waikato Times. “I thought I’m gonna go in there and beat all these old guys and I’m gonna get kicked out.”
The opposite happened, according to Ruben, who admitted he “worked up a huge sweat and got totally smoked.”
Even so, Ruben particularly liked that the sport was very accommodating to practically everyone regardless of sex and gender and even physical capabilities. So, when he returned home, he continued playing pickleball with his family. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find dedicated courts. This gave Ruben the idea of opening the country’s first pickleball facility.
That idea is now a reality with Topspin Pickleball. The state-of-the-art facility is located at 15 Maxwell Place, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200.
