Picklemania Speed Dating

Overview

Pickleball remains a thing. Get used to it. The tennis-lite social sport format has kept gaining popularity in the past year, leading to the unveiling of new indoor pickleball courts in South Melbourne and the state is littered with leagues.

Jumping on the sport's growing popularity is Humpday, a dating app that's meant to just be used once a week on the titular day. It's teamed up with the National Pickleball League to run an alternative speed dating event on Wednesday, January 31 — notably just a couple weeks out from Valentine's Day.

Instead of sitting in a bar trying to pitch your most winning traits, this speed dating event comes with a healthy dose of competition to break the tension.

Punters from the age of 21 to 35 will take to the court for a few rounds of pickleball with and against other attendees, helping potential couples let their guards down and have some fun. Unlike more traditional speed dating experiences in Melbourne, this is a scenario for good, clean fun and casual attire.

And if you're still feeling a little nervous then you can bring a mate along for support — and end up just playing pickleball together at the end of the night if neither of you hits it off with anyone else.