ACING THE PICKLEBALL GAME IN THE CARIBBEAN:
PINEAPPLE BEACH CLUB UNVEILS PREMIER PICKLEBALL COURTS IN ANTIGUA
Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, an adults-only, all-inclusive, premier resort destination under the Elite Island Resorts collection, recently announced the addition of six new pickleball courts to its extensive list of recreational amenities. This enhancement underscores the resort’s commitment to providing guests with a diverse and engaging array of activities, ensuring a memorable Caribbean vacation.
Pickleball, originating in the 1960s as a modest backyard game, has surged in popularity, attracting nearly nine million enthusiasts in the United States alone. For the third year in a row, as cited in the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s 2024 SFIA’s Topline Participation Report, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, having grown 51.8% from 2022 to 2023, and an incredible 223.5% in three years. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jennifer Aniston have become aficionados. Even athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Michael Phelps are joining in the fun, with all three investing in Major League Pickleball teams. The involvement of these high-profile individuals highlights the sport’s growing appeal and legitimacy. However, Elite Island Resorts predicted the popularity of the sport and introduced pickleball since the early aughts to their resorts in Antigua including St. James’s Club & Villas on the southeastern coast, Hammock Cove Antigua, located on the northeast coast, and Pineapple Beach Club on Long Bay, making Antigua the Caribbean’s capital of pickleball. And, it recently added a pickleball court to its property in Panama, Los Establos Boutique Resort.
“Long before the pandemic and America’s fascination with pickleball, I was building our first-ever luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive resort on the island,” said Rob Barrett, CEO of Elite Island Resorts. “We didn’t have space for a tennis court, but a guest at one of our sister properties had mentioned pickleball to me, and that’s when I realized that our resort would be perfect for this sport – and guests have been loving it ever since!”
Leading this trend today is Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, where relaxation is just as intense as the pickleball matches. Set within 30 acres of lush tropical paradise, Pineapple Beach Club now features six new courts designed by the renowned Agile Courts. The all-inclusive, adults-only resort, with 180 rooms, is celebrated for its breathtaking beachfront views, three shimmering pools, and a variety of water activities, including stand-up paddling and kayaking. The new pickleball courts enhance the resort’s appeal, making it perfect for group retreats or individuals looking to refine their skills in a beautiful and tranquil environment. This venue seamlessly blends leisure and lively competition, offering an unmatched vacation experience.
The Verandah Antigua, a newly revamped adults-only retreat with 185 rooms, also offers four pristine courts for pickleball enthusiasts amidst stunning scenery. Hammock Cove Antigua, with 41 luxury villas, adds a luxurious twist to the sport with two exclusive courts, making it the Grand Slam of island getaways, complete with exquisite cocktails and the dramatic natural spectacle of nearby Devil’s Bridge National Park.
The 247-room St. James’s Club & Villas, Antigua, was the first property on the island to have pickleball courts and today has three of them for guests to enjoy on the southeastern coast while offering a perfect blend of competition and relaxation for family holidays.
In addition to Antigua, Elite Island Resorts also has a pickleball court in the 17 all-suite Los Establos Boutique Resort in Panama, for intimate games under the gaze of Volcán Barú.
After a tournament, guests can enhance their relaxation experience with optional spa treatments, such as the Sports Massage, which helps reduce tension, increase range of motion, and provides a focused warm-up for critical joints and muscle groups. For deeper relaxation, the Warm Bamboo Fusion Massage offers a rejuvenating deep tissue treatment using warm bamboo tools to relieve muscle and tendon tightness and revitalize tired muscles.
For more information on Elite Island Resorts’ portfolio of properties, visit eliteislandresorts.com.