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In this episode, I talk with wheelchair Pickleball player Joe Dowling and tournament director Jim Loving.  Jim held the first regional Pickleball tournament with a wheelchair division and Joe was one of the participants.  Joe discusses why Pickleball is such a great sport for people with disabilities and the challenges in growing the sport for wheelchair players.

Show Notes

In this episode we discuss:

  • How Jim hosted the first USA regional Pickleball tournament with a wheelchair division
  • Joe’s participation in the regional tournament including the wheelchair division and combination wheelchair/stand up division
  • Joe’s decision to became a USA Pickleball Ambassador and how he put on a clinic to help other ambassadors learn what it is like to have wheelchair participation
  • Why Pickleball is such a great sport for people in wheelchairs
  • Joe’s work to promote the sport of Pickleball at rehabilitation hospitals
  • The challenges in facilities being able to accommodate wheelchair participants
  • Joe’s exhibition of wheelchair Pickleball at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
  • How rules are adapted for wheelchair participants and Joe’s plan to make some changes

Joe Dowling

Mentioned in the Show

USA Pickleball Ambassadors

Myrtle Beach Pickleball Club

Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

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