The Pickleball Twist Origin Story
Just like everyone else, we started out as pickleball skeptics — and like all pickleball players know, one time was all it took to be hopelessly, enthusiastically, blindingly addicted! We loved the game and we loved the “pickleball spirit” of community over conquest even more.
But just playing a regular game wasn’t enough for us. How, oh how, we thought, can we get pickleball to be even more pickleball-y? Enter Pickleball Twist©, our labor of love. A game that turns up the silly, zany aspects of pickleball to 1000%. A game that gives great players crafty skill challenges. A game that will make you bond with your partner until you’re howling together!
We’ve been friends since our college a cappella days at UCLA — before Danny was out but after Janet was 21. Before either of us met our spouses. We’ve gone on trips together to Hawaii, to fitness conferences, and the wilderness of Oregon, but this is the first time we’ve gone into business together!
Danny brings business acumen and start-up knowhow from over a decade in tech. Janet brings a deep understanding of gameplay and positive emotions as a psychology professor. We both bring an obsessive attention to detail combined with a serious streak of silliness.
How We Made This Game
Danny had the lightbulb moment. One day after playing at our favorite spot (the Presidio Wall courts in San Francisco), Janet got a text from Danny:
The “haha, what if we actually did this” turned into more serious activity:
We spent months having fun coming up with card ideas, leading to marathon playtesting sessions well into the night. We agonized over names, talked to everyone about art, and wondered if Stephen Colbert would like the game.
We roped Janet’s sister-in-law, SF-based artist Jordan Kushins, into doing the art. Her whimsical style was a perfect match. We laughed a lot in those design review meetings.
Now you’re part of the Pickleball Twist story! Go out there, be ready for curious and jealous onlookers, and show us your twisted game by tagging us @PickleballTwist!