Send us a text

🎙️ Episode 56 — Colorado Championship III at 3rd Shot Pickleball | Event Insights & Gear Innovation

In Episode 56, we’re live from 3rd Shot Pickleball for the Colorado Championship CUP III - Denver Pickleball Club.

We sit down with Deven Gould to talk all things tournament life — from what makes Colorado Championship Cup III such a standout event to the growth of competitive pickleball in Colorado and beyond. Deven shares insights into player energy, event execution, and why this championship continues to draw serious talent and community support.

We also catch up with Mae (Melanie) Romero - CEO & Founder from Okto Gear, diving into the design and engineering behind the innovative Okto pickleball bag. Mae gives us an exclusive look at what goes into building a performance-driven pickleball bag and teases the upcoming new Baby Okto bag, designed with portability, functionality, and player needs in mind.

From championship-level play to next-gen pickleball gear, this episode is packed with insider perspectives from the people shaping the sport.

🎧 Whether you’re a competitive player, gear junkie, or pickleball community supporter, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

3RD SHOT PICKLEBALL RIVER POINT

https://3rdshotpickleball.com/home-river-point

DENVER PICKLEBALL CLUB

https://www.denpickleball.club/

We want to give special thanks to the following contributors to the bags we handed out over the weekend.

BOUTTIME! PUB & GRUB https://www.bouttimepub.com/location/sheridan-colorado/

TORCHY TACOS - HIGHLANDS RANCH

https://torchystacos.com/

SUBWAY RIVER POINT AT SHERIDAN II

https://restaurants.subway.com/united-states/co/sheridan/3602-river-point-parkway

#HASHTAG A BOOZY BRUNCH JOINT - HIGHLANDS RANCH

https://www.hashtag-restaurant.com/highlands-ranch

A SWEET SIP - CBD BEVERAGES

https://asweetsip.com/

Colorado Homes & Design

cohomedesign.com

Merlan Salon Boutique & Spa

merlansbs.com

Support the show

Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.

Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:

IG: @pickleballersnextdoor
TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Send us a text

Episode 55 Pickleballers Next Door Podcast

🎙️ Podcast Description

In this important and eye-opening episode of Pickleballers Next Door, Mike and Christana tackle one of the fastest-growing conversations in pickleball: player safety.

With eye injuries on the rise across recreational and competitive play, we break down why protective eyewear and pickleball goggles matter, how net-zone battles increase risk, and what players of all levels should know to protect their vision without sacrificing performance. KitchenBlockers are the glasses Mike & Christana use most of the time.

We also dive into a commonly overlooked factor in injury prevention—the right shoes for pickleball courts. From indoor vs outdoor courts to lateral movement, traction, and ankle support, we explain how wearing proper court shoes can reduce slips, falls, and long-term joint strain.

Whether you’re a beginner, tournament player, or someone who lives at the kitchen line, this episode is packed with practical tips, real-world experiences, and expert-level insights to help you stay safe, confident, and competitive on the court.

👉 Protect your eyes. Protect your body. Play smarter.

https://kitchenblockers.com/discount/PBND26

https://holeyperformance.com/

https://www.denvericonics.com/

Support the show

Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.

Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:

IG: @pickleballersnextdoor
TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Send us a text

🎙️ Special Guests from the Grand Opening at 3rd Shot River Point

This episode was extra special as we welcomed Chris Williams, his wife Katherine Williams, and their daughter Bella Williams onto the podcast — showcasing exactly what pickleball is all about: family, community, and connection.

We also sat down with Jeff Moulton, Head Pro at 3rd Shot River Point, who shared insights into open play, player development, and what makes this new Sheridan location such a standout for players of all skill levels.

Adding another key perspective, we were joined by George Tavares from Altitude Athletic Surfaces, diving into what goes into building high-performance pickleball courts and why quality surfaces matter for both safety and competitive play.

Rounding out the episode, we caught up with pickleball players Emily, Kaleb and Mark, who were checking out open play and sharing firsthand excitement about the courts, the atmosphere, and the energy of opening day.

From industry leaders to families discovering the sport together, this episode perfectly captures the spirit of pickleball and the vibrant community forming at 3rd Shot River Point.

https://3rdshotpickleball.com/home-river-point

Jeff Moulton - Head Pro - jeff@3rdshotpickleball.com

https://altitudesurfaces.com/

Support the show

Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.

Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:

IG: @pickleballersnextdoor
TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor