ST. GEORGE — When Katy Luxem moved to Utah in 2018, she was looking for opportunities to be more social. So she joined a roller derby team and KT-Wrecks was born.
Although she was successful in forming some lasting friendships, her ankles were taking a beating. While looking for an alternative sport, something family-friendly but competitive, she stumbled upon pickleball.
The problem, as Luxem explained, was the dreary, unexciting equipment. So, Luxem and her partners formed the Big Dill Pickleball Company in Salt Lake City and have been specializing in unique paddles and accessories since 2020.
“We immediately fell in love with the sport, but the equipment was really boring,” she said of her early playing days. “Bland colors, boring styles – the paddles looked like the side of an old camper trailer. Our paddles come in many different colors to match each player’s personality, and they are also approved by the USA Pickleball Association for tournament play.”
Wayne Bullock, tennis and pickleball pro for the City of St. George, said that the city has become a beacon for players over the last decade. This has a lot to do with the mild winters, giving players more opportunities to play but also great vision and planning from city leaders.
With the help of many in the community, city officials worked with pickleball fanatics early on as the craze spread nationwide and the Little Valley Pickleball complex was completed in 2015. Now, with 24 pickleball courts, facilities and parking to handle large tournaments, the players do come, said Bullock.
“Our major tournament, the Fall Brawl, averages 900-1,000 players,” he said. “And, for every player registered, our studies show an average of 2.5 guests are coming with them that are staying, eating and shopping here. More than 60% of those registering to play in our tournaments do not live in Southern Utah.”
As far as the reasoning behind the sport’s popularity, both Luxem and Bullock agree it is the simplicity of the game, a game that all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Whether someone has been playing for years, or just picked up a paddle, the momentum of the game can change in favor of either player with each swing.
Luxem previously worked in marketing for companies such as Amazon and is currently a University of Utah student seeking a master’s degree. Founding a woman-owned business was more the work of a community.
“The pickleball community in Utah has been amazing and we learned we weren’t the only ones looking for unique equipment in exciting colors,” Luxem said. “I’ve even been to a couple tournaments in Northern Utah and seen players using Big Dill Pickleball Company equipment.”
Utah residents are not alone regarding the nation’s love for pickleball. According to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, who called pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America, there are more than 4.8 million players nationwide, a 40% increase since 2020.
“You don’t have to be a top-tier player to be competitive,” Bullock said. “Anyone can pick up a paddle, learn the rules in 30 minutes and be out there having fun. This allows people from all ages and skill levels to compete on the same court.”
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