The Paddle That Changed Pickleball Forever: The Steve Paranto Story

On this episode of Fit For Radio, Drew sits down with Steve Paranto, one of the true pioneers of pickleball and a name that is impossible to separate from the history of the sport.Steve has been competing in tournaments since 1974, making him the longest active competitive player in the game. But his impact goes far beyond what he’s done on the court. Alongside his father, Steve played a key role in developing the modern pickleball paddle—using composite materials sourced from Boeing to create a honeycomb core design that would ultimately change the sport forever.That innovation helped shape the way pickleball is played today and cemented the Paranto family’s legacy. His father was inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2017, with Steve following in 2019, recognizing decades of influence on the growth and evolution of the game.Today, Steve continues to push the sport forward. He runs the Paranto Playhouse, a double indoor court at his home, where he trains, competes, and introduces players of all ages and skill levels to the game he’s helped build from the ground up.This is a conversation about innovation, longevity, and the kind of passion that helps turn a backyard sport into a global movement.