The Ultimate Game Of Pickleball On A Floating Court This Summer
It is a match made in heaven for adventure seekers. Florida’s favorite new sport (pickleball) is combined with Floridians’ favorite way to vacation (cruising) and with a breathtaking, Mediterranean backdrop….
It is a match made in heaven for adventure seekers. Florida's favorite new sport (pickleball) is combined with Floridians' favorite way to vacation (cruising) and with a breathtaking, Mediterranean backdrop. You can play the ultimate game of Pickleball on a floating court this summer. It's true. A regulation size pickleball court floating in the Adriatic Sea with Croatia over your shoulder. Get you bags ready. This is a Fabulous Find.
I have been to Croatia and taken a dip in the Adriatic. It's cold. So if that ball goes in the water, consider letting someone else retrieve it. I did not realize the Pickleball craze had reached the Balkans. But it has. Some cities have dedicated courts, while others are adding Pickleball lines to tennis courts. It is a common practice around the world and in Southwest Florida.
More about pickleball on a floating court
This getaway is actually a yacht charter designed exclusively for Pickleball enthusiasts. It takes the crew about two hours to set up and prepare the floating court. The pickleball cruises can set sail as early as April and continue through mid October.
There is still plenty of time to plan your getaway. In addition, the itinerary includes games on solid ground. You'll get to play at stationary courts in Croatia, along the coastal tour.
Getty ImagesPickleball courts are usually stationary. However, this floating Pickleball court is something new with Via Croatia. See the world and play your favorite sport at the same time.
Cruising is arguably one of the most popular ways to vacation and Florida is a hub for it. However, this getaway does not depart from the port of Miami. Pick up the yacht in Croatia and take some extra time to explore this beautiful country. A typical itinerary is eight days and can be adjusted based on preference.
The company has two yachts, however, at press time the Aretha was the only one with Pickleball. It's new and sets sail for the first time in May. Aretha has 13 luxurious cabins and two VIP suites.
Find out more here. Call up your travel buddies and Pickleball comrades. And if you need the perfect wine to pack in your checked bag, check out Pickleball from VICE Wines. It was this week's Wine Wednesday feature. Book the yacht and have a one-of-a-kind summer vacation this year.
Gallery: Pictures From The 2023 US Open Pickleball Championships In Naples, Florida
The 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships came to East Naples Community Park last spring in Naples, Florida and did not disappoint. Much of the hype was the play of Fort Myers resident Parris Todd. She won three gold medals after winning the triple crown which consists of gold in singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. So who is Parris Todd?
Parris developed her tennis skills at a young age where at age eight, her father took her to the renowned Bollettieri Tennis Academy. If that name sounds familiar - Serena Williams and Venus Williams worked with Bollettieri and trained at the academy. According to her bio "As the pandemic slowed down the globe, Pickleball emerged and summoned her to the courts. It wasn't long before her tennis talents crossed over and her peers confirmed the calling. Since then, Parris has enjoyed herself more than ever on the courts, and voilà... the rest is history."
Elsewhere in the Pickleball Championships, the Naples News reported "On the men’s side, the Florida tandem of Kyle Yates and Andrei Dăescu were dominant in doubles."
The biggest takeaway for me, is the amazing facility at the East Naples Community Park. If you've never been, it's certainly one to check out. Collier County Parks and Rec have equipped 6 Pickleball Championship Courts and 59 Pickleball Courts. So let's have a look at last weekend's action.
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Martin Emmrich hits a forehand winner volley shot during the second round of the Pro Mixed Doubles in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Abbie Brooks and Kaden Seward celebrate winning the final point as they advance to the third round of the Pro Mixed Doubles in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Leo Chung hits a forehand drive shot in the bronze medal match during the Boys Juniors division in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Ryler DeHeart and Megan Fudge return a forehand volley shot during the second round in the Pro Mixed Doubles in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Girls compete in Junior Girls Doubles outside of Championship Court during the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Yates Johnson leaps in the air for a forehand smash shot during the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Andrei Daescu prepares to hit a forehand topspin volley shot in the second round of the Pro Mixed Doubles in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Kyle Yates hits a backhand dink shot against opponent Alix Truong during the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championship quarterfinals at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Shelby Bates evades partner Matt Manasse as he poaches a forehand volley winner shot during the second round of the Pro Mixed Doubles in the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Kyle Yates hits an overhead smash on the Zing Zang Championship Court during the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championship quarterfinals at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Yates Johnson hits a backhand drop shot against Simone Jardim and Kyle Yates during the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championship quarterfinals at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd hits a forehand drive during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Bobbi Oshiro hits a forehand volley shot at the kitchen line during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Megan Fudge prepares to hit a backhand dink shot during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd stays low to hit a defensive block shot during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Players from around the world participate in the Flag Ceremony on Championship Court before the Pro Women's Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim prepares to hit an overhead smash during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim jumps into teammate Parris Todd's arms as they celebrate their victory during the finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim and Parris Todd celebrate a hard fought point during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Women's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Andrei Daescu hits a forehand drive shot from the baseline during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: A silhouette of Andrei Daescu hitting a forehand volley against Hunter Johnson and Yates Johnson during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson hits a forehand speedup volley shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Andrei Daescu crouches to hit a low slice dink during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Yates Johnson reaches to hit a forehand volley shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Andrei Daescu reaches to hit a forehand volley during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Men's Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson defends a forehand speedup volley from Simone Jardim during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd celebrates with a clinched fist and screams after winning a point from a long rally during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Kyle Yates hits a forehand volley shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim hits a drop shot from the transition area during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim stretches out for a volley shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd reaches for a forehand volley shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson runs to the non-volley zone after a serve return during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson and Parris Todd pose with their gold medal after winning the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd hits a forehand topspin volley during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson leaps over the kitchen for a backhand erne shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd poses with her three gold medals after winning the triple crown which consists of gold in singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd hits a forehand smash during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Kyle Yates hits a soft dink shot during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim prepares to return a serve during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Hunter Johnson hits a backhand dink slice during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd poses with her three gold medals after winning the triple crown which consists of gold in singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Parris Todd warms up before the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Kyle Yates hits a serve return during the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
NAPLES, FL - APRIL 22: Simone Jardim and Kyle Yates pose for a team photo before the Finals at the 2023 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Pro Mixed Doubles Division at East Naples Community Park on April 22, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
