Group sets new pickleball world record by playing for 36 hours straight
Last Edited
Apr 14 2025
Category
Community
A group of four pickleball players set a new Guinness World Record over the weekend in Texas by playing for 36 hours straight.
"The Pickle Breakers" accomplished the feat over the course of two days on Saturday and Sunday at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas, wrapping up Sunday night with a group hug at the net.
Their effort was not only to break the previous record of 34 hours and 5 minutes that had been set in the UK, but also to raise money for the Taylor's Gift Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Coppell, Texas, that provides families with free grief support after the loss of a loved one.
The group members said they felt it was important to raise awareness of mental health challenges and how pickleball can be an outlet in times of grief.
They encouraged people to donate $36 and ultimately raised more than $18,000 as part of the effort.
Meet 'The Pickle Breakers'
Chong Kim
He had already completed a somewhat related pickleball challenge before the world record attempt, playing pickleball in all 50 states in 45 days last year while spreading mental health awareness.
While on that trip, he met a woman who at one point held the record before it was broken by the group in the UK. He told her he would one day break that record and bring the title back to the U.S. Mission accomplished.
Kim's other hobbies include running marathons and triathlons, mountain biking, volleyball, skiing and playing and coaching soccer.
Geneva Olson
Olson lives in South Dakota and works at an indoor pickleball facility there.
She got connected with Kim and the idea of pursuing a world record attempt while raising mental health awareness resonated with her because she previously lost a brother.
She said she hoped their effort would show her four daughters that they can do anything they put their mind to.
Jaret Petras
Petras is a sports scientist and video analyst who played college soccer at Stony Brook University and also played professionally in Europe.
He's a certified pickleball coach, 5.0+ DUPR and Czech National Champion in men's singles and men's doubles.
Laura Maala
Originally from Estonia, Maala now lives in North Dakota and has a passion for several sports, including volleyball, swimming, roller skating, disc golf and now also pickleball.
"The idea of setting a world record excites me as it combines my love for the sport with my drive to push my limits and achieve excellence," she said before the event.
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