EPISODE · Feb 15, 2026 · 22 MIN
10-Year-Old Pickleball Phenom Halina Returns: PPA Masters Update, Training, & Tournament Life
from Smashing Plastic Podcast · host Tommy Welch
Halina Slowinski is back! One of our favorite fan-favorite guests returns with a real-time tour check-in from California at the PPA Masters. Halina shares what it’s like competing as a 10-year-old junior pickleball player, how she balances homeschooling + travel, what she’s training at The Pickler & Montclair Pickleball, and the specific skills she’s focused on right now (including backhand flicks, overheads, footwork, and improving singles). We also talk sponsors, paddles, tournament partners, and her best advice for kids getting started: get on the court and believe in yourself. Follow along and track Halina’s next stops as she heads to Las Vegas and then Minnesota for another tournament. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Helena 01:22 Transitioning to Homeschooling for Pickleball 02:30 Competing in Tournaments 04:31 Life on the Road as a Young Athlete 06:17 Daily Habits and Training Insights 08:06 Working with Coach Jeff Heirs 09:47 Footwork and Fitness Training 12:20 Upcoming Tournaments and Goals 13:25 Surprises and Challenges in Pickleball 14:31 Acknowledging Sponsors and Support 16:15 Favorite Paddle and Shots 17:53 Meeting Professional Players 19:00 Future Aspirations and Advice for Young Players Follow Halina: IG: https://www.instagram.com/halina_pb_queen Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/
What this episode covers
Halina Slowinski is back! One of our favorite fan-favorite guests returns with a real-time tour check-in from California at the PPA Masters. Halina shares what it’s like competing as a 10-year-old junior pickleball player, how she balances homeschooling + travel, what she’s training at The Pickler & Montclair Pickleball, and the specific skills she’s focused on right now (including backhand flicks, overheads, footwork, and improving singles). We also talk sponsors, paddles, tournament partners, and her best advice for kids getting started: get on the court and believe in yourself. Follow along and track Halina’s next stops as she heads to Las Vegas and then Minnesota for another tournament. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Helena 01:22 Transitioning to Homeschooling for Pickleball 02:30 Competing in Tournaments 04:31 Life on the Road as a Young Athlete 06:17 Daily Habits and Training Insights 08:06 Working with Coach Jeff Heirs 09:47 Footwork and Fitness Training 12:20 Upcoming Tournaments and Goals 13:25 Surprises and Challenges in Pickleball 14:31 Acknowledging Sponsors and Support 16:15 Favorite Paddle and Shots 17:53 Meeting Professional Players 19:00 Future Aspirations and Advice for Young Players Follow Halina: IG: https://www.instagram.com/halina_pb_queen Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/
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10-Year-Old Pickleball Phenom Halina Returns: PPA Masters Update, Training, & Tournament Life
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