Meet the Pickleball Pros- Christine Barksdale

by pickleballfun on Nov 22, 2014

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Christine Barksdale is playing some amazing pickleball. She was on medal stand five times during the USAPA's National Pickleball Tournament earlier this month.  Christine has a heart for pickleball, and her positive attitude on the court is contagious.

Pickleball Nationals 2013

PC: Can you list for us your major wins so we can correctly introduce you to our readers?

(We updated Christine's list of major wins to reflect her FIVE  medal wins at Nationals earlier this month! )

  • 2014 Nationals - Gold, Women' Singles +35
  • 2014 Nationals - Silver, Women's Doubles +35 with partner Joy Leising
  • 2014 Nationals - Bronze, Open Women's Singles
  • 2014 Nationals - Silver, Open Women's Doubles with Joy Leising
  • 2014 Nationals - Gold, Mixed Doubles 19+ with Wesley Gabrielsen
  • 2013 Nationals – Gold, Age Women’s Singles 
  • 2013 Nationals - Age Mixed Doubles with Wesley Gabrielsen
  • 2013 Tournament of Champions – 3rd Mixed Doubles with Wesley Gabrielsen
  • 2012 Nationals - Gold,  Age Women’s singles
  • 2012 Nationals -  Silver, Open Women’s Singles

PC: What paddle do you play with and why?
CB: I use a Pro Lite Blaster for outdoor and a Pro Lite Magnum for indoor. When my dad taught me to play, that is what he used so it what I started using and have not changed.     

  Pro-Lite Graphite Blaster Pro-Lite Magnum

PC: What’s your pickleball story? How were you introduced to pickleball?
CB: I started playing pickleball for fun in 2009 when my Dad introduced the game to me while I was visiting him at the Voyager RV resort in Tucson, AZ. For the first two years, I only played during my annual visit in AZ. I enjoyed being able to spend time with him. One day, for fun I decided to look into local places to play. That is where I met my early teachers Mike Wolfe, Hunter Duval and Enrique Ruiz. I was extremely fortunate that Enrique called me wanting to play in a tournament.

PC: What’s your preference – playing indoor or outdoor?
CB: I love outdoor pickleball. While, it is the plexipave surface I love (indoor or outdoor), I also love the outdoor ball and playing in the elements. I grew up playing tennis and outdoor pickleball allows me to use the skills I developed as a tennis player.

PC: Do you like singles or doubles better? Why?
CB: That is a difficult question, I see them as totally different sports. If I was forced to pick, I would pick Doubles. I have been fortunate to have some talented partners. I look forward to 2014/2015 with Joy and Wes, my amazing partners and good friends.  

Christine Barksdale and Wes Gabrielsen

PC: What’s your favorite place to play? Why?
CB: I love to play any place that has permanent outdoor courts, but would say Brigham, Utah. The courts are designed well and the setting is beautiful!

PC: What’s your “secret sauce”? Any tips for players?
CB: Practice, Practice, Practice. Grab a bucket of balls, a friend and get out and hit shots over and over.   Then, the next time you are out socially playing be sure to implement what you have practiced. Don’t be afraid to lose a game or two while developing a new skill.

PC: What’s your day job?
CB: Desktop Support for the Vancouver Public Schools, yes, a computer nerd.

PC: How many hours a week do you play? How do you make time to play?
CB: I generally play once/twice a week. I work pretty long hours so between work, running, tennis and pickleball it’s tough to fit more in. However, I would play more if we had permanent/lighted courts in Vancouver!

PC: Any lucky rituals before a big tournament?
CB: I don’t have lucky rituals, but I don’t like to mess with luck. I have lucky outfits that I use specifically for tournaments. Also, I never look at the draw. I find out who I am playing when they call my name! I am always amazed at the number of people that know this about me and respectfully don’t discuss the draw in front of me.

Pickleball Nationals 2013

PC: Do you have any pickleball goals you’d like to share?
CB: I have two goals. First, I want to play a generation tournament with my dad.   Second, I want to travel to another country to play a tournament and help spread the word that pickleball truly is a sport for a lifetime.

PC: Do you mind sharing about your personal life? Are you single? Married? Kids?
CB: I am single and have two cats (Mac and Deuce). I have an extremely supportive boyfriend that I have been dating for many years.   I love that when I am playing a tourney he is always following the results. He knows the draws better than I do. He loves the software that we use for pickleball, since he can see so many details realtime.

PC: Anything else you’d like to share about your experience being one of the best pickleball players in the world?
CB: I guess I don’t think of myself as one of the best pickleball players in the world. I think there are lots of folks out there yet to discover the game that will become amazing players! I can tell you that I start getting excited about Nationals, the day Nationals ends the year before. I love the chance to compete but more important, I love the chance to play with and against the top players in the country, then go have dinner with them as my friends.

Nationals2013

Thanks again, Christine!

Trying to find videos of Christine playing? Look no longer!

by Miranda