Via Croatia has added an inflatable pickleball court to the toy box of its newest ship so fans can flex their racket skills at sea. Olivia Palamountain reports
Pickleball has been taking the world by storm, emerging as one of the fastest-growing sports in recent years – and now fans can play it on the Adriatic.
Embracing the trend is Via Croatia, which has kitted out newly-refurbished yacht, Aretha, with its own floating pickleball court, suspended in the sea while attached to the ship.
A custom charter, Aretha is outfitted with 15 cabins and 12 crew, so up to 30 players and friends can get busy on the court after cruising around Croatia’s highlights (find full itinerary here).
As reported by Forbes, the company behind the venture, Via Croatia, promises that the court is firmly attached and will not end up afloat on its own.
The platform takes the crew approximately four hours to inflate and deflate. Once it’s up, the court remains playable in calm seas for up to two days.
As for balls that fly into the water, the company’s chief exploration officer, Gabriella Ribeiro, tells Forbes: “The crew is extremely attentive and makes every effort to retrieve any stray balls from the water.”
There are opportunities for pickleball tournaments on dry land too: Croatia has courts in Zagreb, Brac, Split and Veli Losinj. The company also converts existing tennis courts into pickleball courts in Dubrovnic.
Aretha comes fully loaded with plenty more water toys such as jet skis, a water slide, a Seabob, wakeboard and Jacuzzis. Onboard is also a cinema, masseur and chef.
Chartering the Aretha costs between US$65,000 and US$95,000 per week, season dependent and excluding docking, drinks and tips.
Originally developed in the United States in the 1960s, pickleball’s popularity has surged over the past five years, partly due to its inclusive nature.
The sport is easy to learn but challenging to master, making it appealing to both novices and seasoned athletes.
Its smaller court size and slower-paced ball compared to tennis make it particularly attractive to older players or those with mobility issues, whilst still providing a vigorous workout.
The trend has not gone unnoticed by the travel and fitness industry, with many gyms and health clubs now offering pickleball classes and tournaments.
Resorts have started including pickleball facilities as part of their recreational offerings – the sport even has its own dedicated travel agent, Pickleball in Paradise, serving up game, set and match holidays.