# Boomer Racketeers Change to Pickleball By Going Like Sixty | Published 2006-11-04 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boomer-racketeers-change-to-pickleball References: [statesman](http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/09/08/8seniorgames.html) Old timers and baby boomers are inventing new sports! The latest: Pickleball! The sport, which originated in retirement communities from Arizona to Florida, is a [paddle sport](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-equipment) on a badminton court that uses a Wiffle ball. "We lower the net like tennis and play on a badminton court, so it kind of looks like you are playing on a gigantic pingpong table," a spokesperson said, "the sport is great for seniors because the Wiffle ball slows the game down enough so they can have fun while playing, and it doesn't involve much running, so it is easier on their bodies. " ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Boomers](https://www.trendhunter.com/boomers) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Pickleball Craze:** The rise of pickleball has created opportunities for businesses to market products and services specifically for this fast-growing sport. - **Boomer Sports Revolution:** As baby boomers continue to change the sports landscape, businesses can capitalize on this shift by creating and marketing innovative products designed for older generations. - **Senior-friendly Sports:** The popularity of pickleball highlights the emerging trend of senior-friendly sports, creating an opportunity for businesses to design and market sports equipment and facilities specifically for older adults. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sports Equipment:** The growth of pickleball presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for sports equipment manufacturers to create and market specialized gear for this unique sport. - **Retirement Communities:** As retirees continue to seek out new activities and social connections, retirement communities can adapt by offering pickleball facilities and proactively marketing the sport to their residents. - **Health and Wellness:** The emergence of senior-friendly sports like pickleball underscores the growing demand for health and wellness initiatives that cater to older adults, creating opportunities for businesses to provide specialized services and products in this area. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Preserve-Themed Pickleball Gear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vlasic-x-sprints.md) - [Expansive Pickleball Stadiums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-stadium.md) - [Quiet Pickleball Paddles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quiet-pickleball-paddle.md) - [Elevated Pickleball On-Court Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-oncourt-experience.md) - [Pickleball Pain Relief Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picklebalm.md) - [Glam Pickleball Paddles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-x-nettie.md) - [Accelerated Pickleball Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inclusive-place-of-pickleball.md) - [High-Performance Pickleball Paddles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-paddle.md) - [Optimized Pro Pickleballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ultimate-pickleball.md)