On 31st October, the Smash Hits Pickleball Club celebrated Halloween in spectacular spooky fashion with Chiang Mai’s only Glow-in-the-Dark Pickleball Party. The private party was held at Space Basketball where the club plays regularly.
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net and a plastic ball.
Glow-in-the-Dark Pickleball is played in a darkened hall, with fluorescent court lines, nets, balls and paddles, which are lit by UV lights strung around the hall. Players wear neon outfits and costumes which react to the UV light. This Halloween event was attended by more than 40 players, partners and children, and accompanied by music, food, drinks and a best-dressed competition, and plenty of glow in the dark pickleballing!
Started a year ago, Smash Hits Pickleball is an active pickleball club started and managed by Mark McGinnis and CB Lim, two Chiang Mai expats and best friends from their time together at university some 30 years ago. They organise social games several times a week with weekly mini-competitions.
Like much of Asia, Chiang Mai has seen a surge in interest in pickleball. Locally, the sport was introduced in a public park in Hai Ya almost a decade ago, where people still play today. Since then, a few private venues have sprung up to cater to demand from locals, expats and tourists. It is estimated that the city has more than 1,000 regular pickleball players and growing at an exponential rate – ‘pickleball addiction’ is a real thing!
For more information, email limchoonbing@gmail.com.
