Moms Who Dink, Kids Who Compete, and a Podcast Debut

Tips for outdoor play, the shoes we’re loving, a Mother’s Day giveaway, and our brand-new podcast—just in time for that rainy day reset.

Author

Empower Pickleball
May 08, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Ever feel like the weather’s playing games with your game? I squeezed in a quick hit and closed my Apple Watch rings just before the rain showed up. Post-play drinks included. Timing? Impeccable.

Now if only these April showers would get the memo that it’s time for May pickleball… Up here in the North, it’s still a toss-up whether we’re getting sunshine or rain. So for now, I’m leaning into indoor distractions, like our brand-new podcast that just dropped the intro episode yesterday. Spring cleaning can wait.

And to all the moms, bonus moms, and mother figures who show up on and off the court—this one’s for you. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Empower Pickleball.

TIPS & TRICKS

Beat the Elements & Win More Points

Transitioning from indoor to outdoor courts can throw your game off fast. From tricky winds to slick courts and low-bouncing balls, the change in elements calls for more than just sunscreen. This guide breaks down exactly how to adjust—from shot strategy and footwork to hydration and gear—so you’re not caught off guard when the temperature spikes or the wind picks up mid-point.


💡 Why It Matters: Adapting your game now means fewer injuries, better rallies, and way less frustration in the heat.

GEAR

A Shoe That Finally Gets It

Your paddle might be your MVP, but your shoes carry you (literally). Acacia Sports is dialing in the details players care about—like wider toe boxes, breathable uppers, and insoles that don’t pack out after one tournament. Their new Next Generation line includes three styles built around real movement on the court, not just flashy colors. Bonus: the DreamShot was made specifically for women, with the right balance of stability and speed.


💡 Why It Matters: The wrong shoes can wreck your knees, your game, and your day. These are built to handle pickleball, without sacrificing comfort.

COMMUNITY

From Hollywood Sets to Pickleball Courts

For LA-based director Daniella Eisman, pickleball started as a networking experiment, but quickly turned into something more. Now, it’s part of her parenting style, a way to connect with her twin sons (one of whom is already competing at the pro level), and a passport to new friendships on the road. Whether she’s filming in Montana or cheering from the sidelines, Daniella’s story is a reminder that this sport has a way of showing up exactly where (and when) you need it.


💡 Why It Matters: Because the best part of playing isn’t the score… it’s who you’re sharing the court with.

  • ‘Sistas Who Pickleball’ Builds Community in Pittsburgh 🏓 A local group is creating safe, joyful spaces for Black women to learn and play pickleball together.

  • Brooke Revuelta Joins Goodwill Pro Pickleball Military Tour 🇺🇸 At just 19, she was one of four pros selected to teach the sport at U.S. military bases across six countries.

  • Woman-Owned Pickleball Tap House Opening in Bend 👟 Leslie Koegler is self-funding Ballers & Brews, pairing rooftop courts and craft drinks with a focus on community.

Good Rallies Start with Clear Vision

Outdoor courts bring the glare, and RIA Eyewear brings the clarity. Made specifically for pickleball, their Court HD+ lenses help you see the ball more clearly against any background, without the distortion of standard polarized sunglasses.

They’re shatterproof, sweat-resistant, and available with or without a prescription. Comfortable, durable, and made for players who actually play.

Free Stuff > Buying Stuff 😉

Normally we’re dropping product recs in this section, but when a giveaway this good rolls in, we’re gonna hype it. We partnered with Born to Rally and The Pretty Pickleball Company to put together a prize pack that’s equal parts stylish and court-ready. It’s our kind of Mother’s Day energy: thoughtful, fun, and free to enter.

Pickleball has a way of pulling in the whole crew. Parents, kids, grandparents, even that one cousin who turns every rec game into a grand championship match.

Who’s in your pickleball family lineup?

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