'It happens a lot': Pickleball injuries rise with sport's popularity

Pickleball is exploding — if you don’t play it right now, you likely know someone who is. It’s a slower pace sport with a social focus and less running than tennis, but players can get competitive.

Pickleball is exploding — if you don’t play it right now, you likely know someone who is. It’s a slower pace sport with a social focus and less running than tennis, but players can get competitive.

According to Pickleball Canada, one million Canadians are now playing pickleball at least once a month.

“It’s just so much fun, its great exercise and you get to meet a lot of interesting people.” said Tim Pennal, who plays at the Progress Pickleball Club in Toronto. He’s been playing it for 10 years and can’t get enough of the game. “Very addictive, I play everyday, Monday to Friday that’s my job in retirement,” said Pennal.

But as the sport rises in popularity, so, too, have the number of injuries associated with it.

“I've picked people up here that have fallen down, hurt themselves, broken wrists, pulled muscles in legs. It happens a lot, but I think the conditioning for the lungs and heart are so much better, it makes it worth it.” said Mike Livie, president of the Progress Pickleball Club.

Injuries can range from pulled muscles, sprains and strains, to more serious injuries like Achilles tendon rupture and upper body fractures.

Harold Phillips was experiencing his first game when he suffered a serious injury.