Rick is joined by David Marcus, the founder of EcoGrip this week.
Note: A biodegradable tennis / pickleball grip: a high performance grip for racket sports, which decomposes naturally within one year.
David had the idea for a biodegradable overgrip while traveling around eco-friendly Ireland in 2008. In 2010 I finally found a highly skilled industrial chemist in Australia and told him about my green idea. He joined our company. After several years of trial and error together our small team developed a great patent pending polymer for the overgrips. During the very hot summer of 2013 we play-tested EcoGRIP Smooth and Hi-Tac in 10 different countries with 30 excellent tennis coaches and players including a young teen player from California named Cici Bellis. No players were told the grips were eco-friendly. Every one of the players told us the grip played excellent, felt great and lasted longer than their current overgrips.* When we told them the grips would safely biodegrade in one year after changeout … they were blown away.
EcoGrip Hi–Tac overgrips use a slow-release formula and small perforations to offer much longer tack and superior sweat absorption.
Decomposes naturally in the environment within 1 year. Good for your game & great for the environment.
Makes a great holiday gift for a tennis/pickleball player.
Rick talks tennis… and pickleball with tennis legend, turned pickleball instructor, JoAnne Russell
JoAnne Russell is a former Major Doubles Champion (1977) and had an incredibly successful career in tennis before discovering pickleball.
With playing partner Helen Gourlay Cawley, she won the Wimbledon ladies’ doubles title in 1977. They beat the team of Chris Evert and Rosie Casals in the first round and the top-ranked team of Martina Navratilova and Betty Stöve in the final (6–3, 6–3). Russell reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 11.
As soon as she picked up a paddle, JoAnne fell in love with the sport as both a player and an instructor. Having risen through the ranks to the top tier of tennis, Russell understands what it takes to improve and works diligently with her students to share with them what it takes to be a champion. JoAnne currently resides in Naples, FL where she gives pickleball lessons full-time.
Joanne represents Selkirk when it comes to pickleball. A great time catching up with JoAnne.
It’s pickleball this week with Mike and Rob from SelkirkSport.
As the popularity of Pickleball continues to surge during the COVID-19 era, Selkirk Sport has been recognized as the Pickleball Manufacturer of the year by Racquet Sports Industry (RSi) in conjunction with their inaugural Champions of Pickleball Awards. The family-owned Company based in Hayden, ID is at the forefront of driving growth of the sport, offering a full line-up of Made in-the USA Pickleball Paddles for all levels and an assortment of accessories.
As outdoor activities continue to adapt to adhere to CDC and local/national health guidelines, the sport of Pickleball serves as the perfect “social distancing” physical activity. Today, Pickleball boasts more than 3.46 million players across the U.S., according to the most recent data by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and RSi recognized Selkirk Sport alongside individuals and organizations that continue to make a positive impact, while helping to accelerate the game’s growing popularity and success.
The RSI excerpt from the November/December issue: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – Selkirk Sport
Founded in 2014 by brothers Mike and Rob Barnes and their father, Jim Barnes, this family-owned company in Hayden, Idaho, is a leader in pickleball paddle design and technology, building high-performance pickle-ball equipment. Selkirk’s current product line includes paddles, balls, bags, apparel and accessories. Selkirk’s mantra—“We Are Pickleball”—applies as much to the creation of innovative equipment as to the effort to improve and promote the pickleball community as a whole. The brand partners with, among other groups, the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships, but also with Third Shot Sports, an organization to help bring pickleball awareness and clinics to all ages. Selkirk recently introduced its Vanguard Paddle series, pushing the envelope in technology and its $200 price—which has not deterred consumers, as the paddles quickly sold out on the brand’s website.
“We are committed to supporting the growth of Pickleball at the recreation and professional level, and it’s humbling to be recognized by such a well-respected organization, as a Champion of Pickleball,” said Rob Barnes, Managing Partner, Selkirk Sport. “While 2020 has been a challenging year battling a pandemic, it’s refreshing to see so many individuals of all ages and backgrounds embrace Pickleball as an activity that can be enjoyed in a safe and responsible way.”
Selkirk Sport is one of the industry’s fastest growing companies, and their paddles are used by many of the game’s premier players, many who are national/regional champions. Team Selkirk Ambassadors include: Tyson McGuffin, 4-Time National Champion and one of the top ranked players in the world; Cammy MacGregor, Top ranked senior player and former top 75 women’s professional tennis player; Morgan Evans, Coach to the world’s elite Pickleball players; Enrique Ruiz: Hall of Famer & 6-Time National Champion; Kaitlyn Christian, 28-year old Professional Tennis Player – Top 50 in Doubles on WTA Tour; Joanne Russell, 1977 Wimbledon Doubles Champion; Lindsey & Riley Newman, Top five ranked players and college basketball officials and Sherri Steinhauer: former LPGA star, 3-Time Women’s British Open Champion & 4-Time United States Solheim Cup Winner, among many others.
And it’s even hotter at Palmetto Dunes resort on Hilton Head. Rick is joined by Sarah Ansboury, the head pickleball professional at Palmetto Dunes this episode.
Pickleball is a sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with oversized ping pong paddles and a softball-sized plastic perforated ball that travels at about one-third the speed of a tennis ball. “It’s a fun, easy sport that is great exercise, but doesn’t require a lot of skill to be an enjoyable experience” says John Kerr, Director of Tennis at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. We have eight pickleball courts right in front of the Tennis Pro Shop.
For most of Sarah Ansboury’s professional career she has resided in the Portland, Oregon area. As a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), she has benefitted from continuing education on fitness, racket sport body mechanics, instructional methods and sports psychology. She applied this education as a private tennis instructor, teaching club members and elite junior athletes, as well as a NCAA women’s tennis coach. Ansboury also competed nationally at the Open level as well as 5.5 rated leagues in the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA).
This is big. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) have formed a strategic alliance to grow the sport of Pickleball. The new PTR subsidiary (PPR) will become the official education and certification partner of the USAPA. Ansboury has designed the PPR’s curriculum and certification programs.
Have you tried pickleball? Ansboury thinks you will love it!
