In the spring of 2020, Maggie Brown – like most people – found herself increasingly stir crazy and isolated in the face of a growing global pandemic. And that pandemic, as everyone soon discovered, didn’t act alone. Its cronies were Cabin Fever and Loneliness, and they were formidable, too.

In a world of WFH, drive-by birthdays, and happy hours on Zoom, opportunities for satisfying social connection and good old-fashioned fun were at a premium. As was outdoor recreation, with everything from basketball courts to lap-pool lanes being quickly snapped up by people who, like Maggie, needed a safe space to let off steam, support their physical and mental health, and regain some semblance of normalcy.

Maggie found her solace in pickleball – a somewhat obscure sport that was beloved by older generations and relatively unknown to anyone without a minivan and a mortgage.

But pickleball was exactly what the doctor ordered. Social, fun, and super accessible, the sport was easy to pick up and impossible to put down. Maggie was an instant convert, going on to build a pickleball court in the backyard with her family and inspire friends to pick up a paddle and play, too.

The only problem (besides that whole global pandemic thing…) was the paddles themselves: every paddle on the market had an edgy, competitive intensity and an outdated design reminiscent of 2002.

Seeing the white space in the market for paddles that looked as fun and approachable as pickleball itself, Maggie set out to create a lifestyle brand that focused on the top-of-the-funnel recreational consumer. And to hone in on the brand’s light, playful aesthetic, Maggie brought on creative entrepreneur and childhood friend, Grace Moore.

Inspired by the pair’s elementary school roots – they used to play together at recess – and the universal nostalgia of playing on the playground with friends as a kid, Recess Pickleball was born. Since its launch in 2021, Recess Pickleball has brought that wholesome recess feeling to people of all ages, encouraging them to take a break, have fun, and play.