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- She saved his life (literally) on the pickleball court
She saved his life (literally) on the pickleball court
Schedule of events released for 2025 Pickleball World Championships
A scary moment at the public pickleball courts in a Minnesota park over the weekend has turned into a feel-good story about the importance of knowing what to do in a medical emergency.
Luckily for the man who collapsed, his girlfriend (who is a nurse) was on the scene to provide CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) that was installed at the courts just two weeks earlier.
The lesson in the story: Know where the AED is at your local courts and look out for your fellow pickleballers. More below.
Also in this issue:
Pickleball World Championships schedule released 🌎
Huge overheads, great defense and a dash of controversy 😮
JOOLA video crew documents Orlando Challenger event 🎥
Why PlayTime Scheduler is the top platform for rec play 📆
These miniature paddles make great pickleball gifts 🎁
Let’s get cookin’. 🧑🍳
AMATEUR HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Dropping bombs and puppeteering for the crowd
This point from the amateur ranks has all the ingredients we’re looking for in a highlight — great offense AND great defense (and a bit of controversy).
The lefty in the black is hitting huge overheads, but his opponents scramble to get several of them back. Eventually he gets cute with a drop shot that just clears the net, and while the defense got to that one, too, it opened up the court enough for him to put the next ball away.
Listen, was there a foot fault on this point? Possibly, but that’s not for us to say. We are just here to show you cool shots, and there were multiple of those in this sequence.
🔗 Check out this point on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok
FEATURED STORY
Recently installed AED saves Minnesota man's life on the pickleball court
Rory Bakke and his girlfriend, Sunny Saengdara, were playing pickleball at a park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, last weekend when Bakke collapsed and needed emergency medical assistance.
Fortunately for Bakke, Saengdara is a nurse and an automated external defibrillator (AED) was recently installed at Miller Park, where they were playing.
"I just kind of sprang into nurse Sunny, because I had to," Saengdara told local CBS affiliate WCCO-TV. "I had no other choice."
She performed CPR and used the AED to shock his heart, which ultimately helped save his life.
The AED had been installed near the pickleball courts just 12 days before the incident after being requested by Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation several months ago.
According to Paul Mendoza, whose company, Advanced First Aid Inc., installed the AED used on Bakke, this is the fourth person his devices have saved on pickleball courts this year.
"Having an AED shock right away is a gamechanger," Mendoza said. "That's the treatment, the only treatment that can save someone's life."
Do you know where the AED is at your local courts? |
THE KITCHEN OPEN ATLANTA
Come play our tournament — get $30 off price of registration NOW
We are JUST TWO WEEKS away from TKO Atlanta — one of the best amateur tournaments in the country — held at the awesome ITP Training Academy.
Come join us for a weekend of pickleball, music, food and drinks and watch some of the top amateurs in pickleball compete for a winner-take-all prize of $25,000! 💰
2025 PICKLEBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The biggest pickleball party of the year is fast approaching
The United Pickleball Association has released the schedule of events for the 2025 Pickleball World Championships, which will be held over a 10-day stretch starting Oct. 31 at Brookhaven Country Club in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas.
It's the third straight year the event has been held at Brookhaven Country Club, which has become known for its "Pickleball Boulevard" that features dozens of vendors, pop-up courts in the street and a stage for live entertainment. It's the world's largest pickleball festival each year, offering elite competition and nonstop entertainment throughout the week.
CLICK HERE to register to play in one of the amateur divisions.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to watch the best players in the world play in the Major League Pickleball and PPA Tour events being held over back-to-back weekends.
In addition to the pro and amateur tournaments, there are youth and adult clinics, tons of round robin opportunities and more.
TRENDING
The third episode of a JOOLA video series called "Two Zeroes and a Pro" was released recently, going behind the scenes at the Orlando PPA Challenger event.
The video series is highlighting the players and stories from the Challenger tour, which launched earlier this year and is designed to give lower level pros and aspiring amateur players a shot at earning PPA Tour rankings points and cash prizes.
In the latest episode, the show's two "pickleball newbs" -- Corey and Isang -- travel with JOOLA pickleball pro and trainer Josh Jenkins to Orlando, where the field was stacked with some bigger names fans might recognize -- such as Travis Rettenmaier, James Delgado, Angie and Alex Walker, Greg Dow, Juan Benitez, Alex Crum, Brandon French, Chuck Taylor, Ava Ignatowich, John Lucian Goins and more.
That meant the level of play was arguably the highest it has been all year on the Challenger Series, but players weren't just battling their opponents -- they were also battling extreme heat, rain delays and strong winds at times.
REC PLAY
PlayTime Scheduler — where pickleballers connect
With more than 465,000 players worldwide, PlayTime Scheduler has become the go-to tool for finding and organizing games. The platform is simple, free, and growing fast — more than 10,000 new players join every month.
2 million+ play sessions logged
14,500+ venues worldwide
150,000+ app downloads
340,000+ newsletter subscribers
Whether you’re playing at your local rec center or traveling abroad, PlayTime Scheduler makes it easy to find courts, connect with players, and get more games in.
👉 Download the app today and see why PlayTime Scheduler is the #1 platform for recreational pickleball play.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
These mini paddles are great pickleball gifts
The JOOLA Pro IV and Agassi Pro paddles have been reimagined in miniature collector’s sizes — perfect for the passionate pickleballer in your life. Whether displayed on your office shelf or above your fireplace, these mini paddles let you show off your love for the game.
Plus, all the mini paddles are made with leftover Pro IV paddle material to prevent waste and promote sustainability. Available in the Agassi Pro and Perseus Pro IV shapes, JOOLA’s mini paddles are a fun and unique way to celebrate the sport. Shop here.
QUICK HITS
More controversy: These line calls are getting old
What did you think of this week's newsletter? |