GR pickleball players looking to break world record

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A group of pickleball players in Grand Rapids is aiming to break a world record for the longest amount of consecutive play in a pickleball game.

Brad Haverkamp, Julie Ondersma, Sydney Sonday and Caleb Dang are attempting to break this Guinness World Record for the longest marathon playing pickleball for doubles. It is currently held by a group in Montana that played for 27 hours and five minutes. The Grand Rapids group plans to play for 30 hours straight.

Last week the players were able to get some practice in and talk strategy. They were in high spirits and looking forward to their attempt on Nov. 23. It will be at the All In Pickleball Gym.

The event is called Paddles for a Purpose because the group is also raising money for the charity Gift of Life Michigan. It supports organ, eye and tissue donation in Michigan. The players chose this charity because one of their fellow players needs a kidney transplant.

“Having a Guinness record is cool, but then actually raising money for charity for somebody, we know makes it have a purpose,” Ondersma said. “I think when we get tired that’ll probably be what keeps us going.”

“We love pickleball in West Michigan but we’re also a really philanthropic, giving community and so everything about this feels good and feels very much West Michigan,” Haverkamp said.

The November event is free and open to the public to come cheer on the players. You can learn more about the players and the cause here .

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