[PHOTOSTORY 2: MOTION] The pickleball boom shows no signs of slowing down

 By: Dylan Waits 

A group of pickleball players gather on the court at Ted Wright Park in Warner Robins Georgia. Many of the people wanted to get there early to beat the Georgia summer heat. 

A pickleball player holds a pickleball in their hand while sitting on the bench as they wait for a game to start. There were over five different groups playing across 12 courts on the morning of Friday, July 3. 

 LEFT Jaqueline Randall watches as Cori Oliver hits a ball underhand after a serve. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States with a 171.8% increase over the past three years according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.  

Jaqueline Randall reaches out to hit a ball with her paddle trying to keep a rally going. Jaqueline recently got into pickleball, and this was only her second time playing. 

A pickleball player reaches down to grab a pickleball after their team failed to get it over the net. Pickleball is a sport meant for all ages as people were participating from all ages from kids to seniors.

 Brandon Pollock reaches his arm back to try and backhand a pickleball flying right towards him. There were many stores advertising their business at the pickleball courts to try and take advantage of the popularity of the sport. 

LEFT Moises Serrano Vargas stumbles backwards to try and hit a pickleball between his legs as Brandon Pollock watches. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025 which is a 22.8% increase from 2024. 

 LEFT Bailey Moore and Noah Ruiz sit and watch a game of pickleball being played by their friends. Bailey Moore discovered pickleball through the military as they were required to do some activity for training. 

A pickleball flies over the net onto the other side waiting to be hit by a player. Many pickleball courts are built with outdoor lighting allowing people to play at night. 

LEFT Moises Serrano Vargas and Brandon Pollock both go to hit the ball between them at the same time. Warner Robins opened North Houston Sports Complex in June 2021 with 12 indoor pickleball facilities to give residents more places to play. 

A pickleball player reaches their hand on the ground to grab a pickleball to eventually serve. There have been adult pickleball leagues beginning to spread as well as intramural sports leagues at universities.

LEFT Moises Serrano Vargas tosses a pickleball to Noah Ruiz for him to serve. Pickleball courts can be seen all throughout middle Georgia with at least five parks and facilities that have courts. 

 Brandon Pollock takes a drink from his water bottle while he sits on a bench waiting for a game to finish. Many of the players at the courts play for hours with some people getting up to six games played in a row. 

Moises Serrano Vargas wipes the sweat from his eyes after playing a round of pickleball. Ted Wright Park features 12 pickleball courts with all of them being filled at 10 a.m.

Moises Serrano Vargas holds up a pickleball that he is eventually going to serve. Over 200 colleges have pickleball sports programs although many being club sports many think it could become a college sport in 5-10 years. 

Brandon Pollock runs to his right to try and hit a ball going out of bounds. Pickleball appeals to a lot of people as it is a mix of tennis and ping pong which service different demographics. 

Jaqueline Randall gets in a ready stance as she awaits the other teams' serve. Jaqueline Randall and Bailey Moore were so new to pickleball that Cori Oliver took over a role as to teach them the rules while they were playing. 

LEFT Noah Ruiz awaits a pickleball hit by Bailey Moore during her serve. With the rise of pickleball big retail stores such as Dick's, Academy and Walmart have begun selling pickleball paddles. 

LEFT Moises Serrano Vargas and Noah Ruiz await as Bailey Moore jumps in the air to hit a pickleball. Pickleball is continuing its growth into 2026 and beyond with court infrastructure and global outreach. 

LEFT Noah Ruiz, Moises Serrano Vargas and Jaqueline Randall touch paddles at the end of their game. In Pickleball touching paddles is a sign of respect and to symbolize a good play or game. 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Jake Hall

 

"I love North Georgia, there is so much nature to enjoy here. Growing up I always loved learning about the different trees and plants this area has. Summer is by far my favorite time of year up here, everything is so green and full it's a sight to see for sure," said Jake Hall. 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 1] Keara Buckley

By Liam Welsh Keara Buckley, Wild Wing Cafe server

"I've been employed at Wild Wing Cafe for two years, and I love getting to know new individuals every day. I've been able to establish relationships with both clients and coworkers by living in Statesboro. I've learned how to interact with a variety of individuals, maintain organization throughout hectic shifts, and deliver quality customer service by working as a waiter. I like being a member of the Wild Wing Cafe team and contributing to making visitors' experiences enjoyable."

[PHOTOSTORY 1 OUTDOORS] Charleston King Street

By Liam Welsh

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Molly Bowen

By: Molly Bowen

Emily Montgomery (left) and Scotlan Ashurst (right), Roommates and coworkers. 

“Being roommates made us close for sure, but being come coworkers on top of living together made us inseparable,” Ashurst said. 

 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Russ Mullis

 By: Jackson McKenzie

Russ Mullis & Piglet
Macon Skateboarding Legend

"I have been skateboarding for 53 years. It started when I saw a magazine with a surfer, but I didn't live near the coast. However, skateboarding had just become popular in the 70's and everybody wanted to be Evel Knievel so I started then. And I love it because it scares the hell out of me. If I'm not scared, I'm not having fun. But you know, there's always somewhere to go and something to do, so the adventure is my favorite part. But this [skate] park in Macon, I pinch myself everyday and I'm surprised we got it. It was kind of hit off in the wrong direction, and we talked to the city to get them in the right direction and they listened which isn't usual for Macon. Very thankful to have it."

Mullis and his companion Piglet are regulars at the skatepark every day. Local skateboarders in Macon, GA recognize Mullis as a local legend in the skateboarding community. Mullis and the rest of the skateboarding community were big advocators for the Central City Skatepark and managed to get the city of Macon to approve and build it in 2017 via the Recreational SPLOST Tax.

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Mary Beth Brown

 

By: Gabby Porth

Mary Beth Brown, Owner of Dolan's Bar-B-Q

Mary Beth has been preparing for all of the Fourth of July catering orders and making sure that everything is all prepped and ready to go for this weekend! 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Omar Goel

 By: Glenn Ingram

Omar Goel, German Soccer Fan

"My friend and I came to Cyrpress Street to watch the Germany versus Paraguay match. We're from the Atlanta area so we wanted to be near the action but we couldn't get tickets. This is the perfect place to watch a game but it's weird downtown because a lot of places are out of popular beer."

Environmental Potrait 2

By: Kennedy Bryant

Kimberly Sanders, co-founder of TrueBlue 1881

TrueBlue 1881 helps students clear balances to graduate from prospective universities. “Helping students achieve their goals and graduate is something that I am passionate about as well as having a personal connection.”

 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Amber Mccormick with Shirley and Gail Lewis

 By: Jordan Cameron

Amber McCormick (left), Shirley Lewis (center), Gail's mother, and Gail Lewis (right).

"Spending time with those you care about is the most important experience to me. Gail and Shirley are friends of mine and we're having a great time catching up tonight." McCormick said.

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Emily Termaat

 by: Nat Clausen

Emily Termaat, Dog Walker

"My passion is animals, once I graduate I hope to be a veterinarian and save animals everyday"

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Ashley Eisenla

 By: Jane Strickland

Ashley Eisenla, Boutique Employee 

“I have worked at this boutique for about two years, and my favorite part is helping customers find clothes they feel confident wearing. I have always liked fashion, and this job allows me to be creative and meet new people, especially working at the beach." 

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Kanadia Taylor

By: Cameron Thrash

Kanadia Taylor, Beauty Advisor at Ultra Beauty in Statesboro, GA.

"My favorite part of my job is definitely helping everyone find their shade in foundation, and concealer, and even blushes and stuff. I think seeing their reaction to when they find the perfect shade, they are all glowing and happy, and I love that."

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] Sharetta Sanders

 By: Sarah Aceves

Sharetta Sanders is an Ocean Rescue Dispatcher for the Tybee Island Police Department.

"Most people don't know that we have separate dispatchers for ocean rescue, but this position is filled during the summer months. What I do is monitor the lifeguards, help with missing kids, and people and communicate with other dispatchers to get Fire, EMS and police if they are needed on the beach."