One door closes, another opens. Now replace “door” with “ultimate pickleball paradise.”

Dreamland, a facility outside of Austin, TX that gave pros a place to teach & train and hosted the very first Major League Pickleball event, closed its doors at the tail end of 2024.

But with that closure came the arrival of a bigger, more expansive facility set to open this week in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The Fort, home of the APP Tour, seems pretty impressive:

• 43 professional courts

• The world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium

• 14 weatherproof courts for play rain or shine

• Open and reserved play, clinics, leagues & tourneys

• Pro shop, locker rooms and fitness recovery center

• 4,000 square foot event center with food & refreshments

I always knew I’d end up in Florida some day, I just didn’t know it would be this soon.

But if France is more your speed…

Another pickleball experience to add to your 2025 bingo card: pickleball in the French Riviera.

Pickle Away combines recreational and educational pickleball with luxury travel.

Their French Riviera trip itinerary delivers a perfect mix of play, relaxation, and exploration:

• Pickleball Every Day: Enjoy daily games and expert coaching designed for players of every level, all in stunning, sun-drenched locations.

• Luxury Accommodations: Stay in boutique hotels that combine comfort and charm with Riviera elegance.

• Cultural Adventures: Stroll through Nice and Cannes, visit artisan markets, and soak in the beauty of Provence.

• Delicious Cuisine: Indulge in fresh Mediterranean dishes paired with local wines.

• Build Your Community: Meet other pickleball players, forge friendships, and share unforgettable moments both on and off the court.

🌍 Learn more here.

Back on home court

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Not to be aggro, but…when are you going to admit to yourself that dink warmups are boring and ineffective? At least, if you’re below a 4.0, they probably are.

That’s because those in the lower to intermediate skill levels tend to have one narrow, straightforward way of warming up: they just dink to the person in front of them; maybe a few to the person diagonally across.

There are many different dinks, so shouldn’t there be a more dynamic dinking warmup? That’s a rhetorical question; we both know the answer is yes.

Here’s how:

Don’t be static: Give one person shots they have to return with their backhand and the other only forehands; go cross-court a few times then abruptly change.

Dictate the pace: After a few fast, aggressive dinks, drop one just over the net if you can; don’t let your drilling partners get comfortable.

Make sure you wait for the ball to drop before pushing it back over the net in a fluid movement,

Lastly: no matter what level you’re at, it’s important to encourage your warmup partner to attack any “dead dink,” or high ones they can easily reach in and punish. This teaches them to be effective at offense while giving you the reset practice we all need.

How important is your paddle in 2025?

Paddle legality has been one of the biggest causes of drama in pickleball within the last couple of years. But that’s to be expected when the sport & it’s tech is still taking form.

Just like top players are always shifting their game to be the best, so too are paddle manufacturers trying to entice more players to fall in love with their products’ spin & power.

But what if you’re not, and never will be, a top player? Do you need to buy a “competitive” paddle to keep up?

The answer: probably not. But consider these factors for a moment:

Rules and Legality Are Changing

New regulations from USA Pickleball (USAP) are shaking up the market. Paddles now undergo stricter testing, especially around power limits, to maintain fair play.

Some previously popular paddles are being banned for exceeding the new standards. Always check the USAP’s approved paddle list before buying—don’t trust just any stamp on the paddle.

Technology Is Rapidly Evolving

Modern paddles now include advanced features like edgeless designs, injected edge foam, and carbon fiber construction. These innovations aren’t just there to boost power, they also add spin and boost forgiveness, opening up different playstyles to more people.

Simply put: if you aspire to play at the 4.0+ level and you’re using an older paddle, you may struggle to keep up with the faster pace of play emerging in 2025, and it’ll have less to do with your skill and more to do with paddle tech (still no excuse for not mastering your thirds yet!).

Match Your Gear to Your Goals

This is a very generalized way to think about it, but here’s how you can find the right paddle for you:

⏩️ Do I like it when the ball goes fast? Look for elongated shapes with thinner cores (14mm or less) and weights 7.8oz & above.

🎯 Do I like it when the ball feels like it’s under my spell? Look for wider paddles with pronounced sweet spots; consider lighter weight (you can add tape to enhance weight and make the sweet spot feel even larger).

🌐 A global tip: Avoid fiberglass paddles if budget allows; they’re definitely poppy, but not in a good way.

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