Pickleball is one of the rapidly growing sports in the world. The game can be played both in outdoor and indoor areas — but, can you play pickleball in the rain? Continue reading to find out if you should or should not play pickleball in rainy conditions.
Can You Play Pickleball on a Wet Court
Although the idea of playing in the rain sounds very fun and intriguing, you probably should steer away from the thought. Playing pickleball in the rain could lead to some serious injuries, and the weather may also affect the players’ overall in-game performance.
Risks of Playing in the Rain
It could get dangerous in wet courts as pickleball requires rapid and precise movements. When swinging the racquet to hit the ball, the wet playground could cause you to slip and fall; imagine falling on your head or breaking a bone or two!
Moreover, it may also be bad for your health as being in the rain for long periods could make you sick with cold, fever, runny nose, etc.
All in all, playing pickleball in rainy conditions is in no way advantageous, except for the thrill of getting drenched. But it does not stop there as it also takes a toll on the gameplay.
Why Rain Affects the Gameplay?
Pickleball balls are extremely light and weigh around 25 grams. Raindrops and wind can easily interfere with a ball’s projectile. There are outdoor pickleballs that are heavier and more suited for outdoor environments but the game would still be affected as the rain could also mess with a player’s visibility of the ball.
If you still insist on playing the game in rainy weather, make sure to get good court shoes for pickleball that won’t slip easily on wet surfaces. Be careful with your movements as a simple mistake could cost a hefty price!
What to Do If Rain Comes While Playing?
If it starts raining while a match is running, you should note down the score of both teams and resume the match after the weather clears up. You could also reschedule the match depending on the situation. But if you must continue the game, you will have to rely on your luck and skills to not get injured.
With all of that being said, you can now guess why it is discouraged to play pickleball in the rain. While the risk of an injury exists, the gameplay will also be affected due to the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Although playing in the wind is challenging, it helps to improve your skills as it forces you to play better than in normal conditions.
Winds greater than 20 mph is bad for pickleball games as with every shot the ball is pushed wide, and even when serving, you won’t be able to send the ball past the service line.
Yes, it is possible to play pickleball on a driveway, but a better floor material such as wood or faux wood will enable improved gameplay.
Yes, pickleball paddles are made with a honeycomb pattern inside and can trap water inside the holes.
Final Thoughts
Playing pickleball outdoors in rainy conditions surely sounds like a fun activity. But how safe is it and can you play pickleball in the rain? We hope to have addressed the questions in our article. It is now up to you to decide if you should play pickleball in the rain or not. Best of luck!
