Swindon Pickleball will today set sail on its first ever Pickleball Festival at Sea in collaboration with Old Town based Swindon Travel Hub and MSC Cruises.
Nearly 80 passengers will be boarding the MSC Virtuosa for a three-day voyage, visiting Belgium and France, while enjoying a fully hosted Pickleball festival at sea. The impressive vessel — which stretches over 300 metres and can carry thousands of guests — is playing host to a unique event that blends sport, travel and community in a way that’s a first for the pickleball club and also the cruise line.
The festival will be held in the ship’s indoor Sportsplex, where courts have been set up for competitive and social play. Participants have travelled from Swindon, Brighton, Liverpool and even Northern Ireland, highlighting the growing appeal of pickleball across the UK.
The team at Swindon Pickleball have built a strong following over recent years, regularly hosting festivals in the town. Shaun from Swindon Pickleball said: “It’s brilliant to see so many people from across the country coming together to enjoy the sport.”
Ashley, representing Swindon Travel Hub, explained: “This is something special. We’ve worked hard to bring pickleball to the sea for the very first time with MSC, and the response has been incredible. We’ve already had interest from other travel brands such as Sandals Resorts, with plans for a Jamaica pickleball festival next year, and more cruise lines keen to collaborate. Watch this space.”
Swindon Pickleball continues to lead the way locally, with its next festival planned between Christmas and New Year, followed by another in the spring.
Weekly sessions take place every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm at Delta Tennis Centre, welcoming both beginners and experienced players.
