Happy National Pickleball Day!
August 8 is our sport’s official holiday — started in 2021 to celebrate how far pickleball has come (and to give us all an excuse to play even more). What better way to celebrate than with an edition packed with pro secrets, big surprises, and… a floating court in Croatia?

This week in Five Dink Friday:
• MLP Utah: Bleachers, bangers, and a surprising reality check for pro pickleball
• The “hangtime” trick that’ll make your speed-ups practically invisible
• From pickleball passion to paycheck: the mindset (and model) worth stealing
• Coldplay, courts, and dinking with dolphins

Let’s get to it!

Last week, I told you I was staying home from Sturgis to watch the pros live at MLP.
I did exactly that—and I’ve got thoughts.

Seeing pro-level play up close was worth it.
Ridiculous control. Fluid footwork. Athleticism for days.

These players glided, leapt, and obliterated floaty balls mid-air like it was their side hustle.

But they’re also human:

Stuff that happens in my league play.

Reassuring and surprising all at once.

The only letdown? Seating was limited—middle-school gym bleachers don’t exactly scream “major league.”

But hey, pro pickleball is still in its infancy, and I’m sure the venues will level up as the sport grows.

Maybe this was just a one-off…

Are other MLP, APP, or PPA events more polished?

Hit reply and tell me.

In fact, after spectating for about 3+ hours, Lance and I decided it was time for us to hit the courts and dink around.

In light of the Astronomer–Coldplay affair scandal that recently made its rounds, I stumbled upon this reel and had to share it.

Click on the image below to watch.

It’s a fun one.

But let’s be honest—pickleball might be just as dangerous to your marriage.

Whenever I tell people Callie Jo Smith is my partner, I let them assume I mean on the pickleball court.

And last weekend, we swapped boardroom strategy for baseline rallies.

Callie was in Mountain Green for our newest grand opening—playing with fans, challenging anyone brave enough to step on the court with her, and proving once again why she’s as beloved as she is talented.

This grand opening marked our 5th Utah location—with 3 more coming by year’s end.

For Mike and Tanner (Kitchen franchisees), it’s a six-figure side hustle. Yep— they’re keeping their day jobs while turning their passion into profit.

Mike and Tanner aren’t the only ones cashing in on pickleball.

We’ve had a ton of interest in franchising with The Kitchen or joining our consulting program—where we teach you how to run a staff-free, low-maintenance, high-profit pickleball facility.

But the #1 hesitation we hear is…

That’s why we launched Location Launchpad—and it’s already gaining traction.

For just $5,000, we’ll put our national real estate team (plus your local brokers) to work—scouring your target zip codes to secure a location we’re confident will succeed.

We won’t let you jump into anything that doesn’t meet our three L’s:

✅ Location
✅ Lease
✅ Layout

If we can’t find one that pencils within 6 months, you get your money back.

If we do, you can roll right into our full Courts-to-Cash Coaching Program—where we’ll guide you step-by-step to build your six-figure side hustle (or full-time gig).

So if you’ve ever dreamed of turning your pickleball obsession into a serious income stream… this is your moment.

🎯 Book a Courts-to-Cash Call with my business partner Britton to get all the details on Location Launchpad—and see how we can help you open your own profitable pickleball facility.

It’s that split-second pause before you return a dink—a beat that makes your opponent wonder:

Is this gonna be a dink? A speed-up? Or something unexpected?

At MLP, I saw the pros execute shots with this graceful pause—and it completely messed with the read.

So, naturally, it’s the skill I’m focusing on mastering next.

Hang time, or pausing, isn’t about changing tempo—it’s about keeping your intent hidden until the very last moment.

If you want to see what this looks like in action—and get a couple of simple ways to practice it—here’s a great John Cincola video that breaks it down step-by-step.

To practice the pause (aka hang time), you’ll drill a simple pattern (with a partner or a wall):

The magic is in the pause—holding that hang time so every shot starts from the same look, keeping your opponent guessing until it’s too late.

🔁 My Plan for the Next Few Weeks

I’ll be drilling John’s exact exercises—dialing in my hang time and identical starting look.

When I nail it?
I look calm. My shots are crisp.
And my opponent has no idea what’s coming.

Try it—and report back with your body bag count.

The other night, I saw an Instagram Reel that said:

And I thought—yep, I’m about to live that life.

In one week, Lance and I will be boarding the Adriatic King in Croatia for my first-ever luxury pickleball cruise.

Yes, there’s a floating pickleball court.
Yes, there will be pro coaching at ports like Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Korčula.

Here’s the best part:

That invitation happened because of this newsletter—and because you’re here reading it.

It’s an $8,000 trip… and I was invited to join for free in exchange for sharing the experience here and on my other social channels.

So truly… thank you for helping make my dream to “play pickleball in the middle of the Adriatic Sea” a reality.

Fingers crossed the wind and waves don’t murder my 3rd shot drop.

And you’re coming with me (in spirit). I’ll send back a full play-by-play—what it’s like to dink with dolphins, whether lobs really travel farther at sea level, and if I manage to avoid an overboard Erne attempt.

If a luxury pickleball getaway is on your bucket list, check out iWorldofTravel and Smiley Riley Cruises.

We set sail on August 17th, and I think there are still a few cabins left.

If those dates don’t work, hit up Smiley Riley for future itineraries.

AND . . . That’s a Wrap 5 Dink Friday fam! 🎉

Since it’s our favorite holiday— National Pickleball Day—this is your official permission slip to squeeze in an extra game or try that gutsy speed-up you’ve been sitting on.

And don’t forget to forward this to a friend who:

If this was forwarded to you, don’t miss the next drop—subscribe here so you’re in for all the fun, tactics, and questionable humor.

And, finally, may all your dinks stay low, your lobs land in, and every time you go to reserve a court… it’s actually open.

Bon voyage, friends!

– JP