About Us

Pro-Lite Sports has been around for over 25 years and continues to offer top quality pickleball paddles and products. We were one of the very first pickleball companies. We are very proud of the fact that State and National champion players use our Pro-Lite paddles. Pro-Lite Sports was previously owned by Mark Friedenberg, an avid and skilled player and author of the Official Pickleball Handbook. Pro-Lite Sports is committed to remaining family owned and operated and we are excited to be the second generation to operate the company and continue to offer top quality pickleball products. We also are involved in spreading the game through clinics and demonstrations.

Pro-Lite Sports, the innovator of pickleball paddle technology

In 1984, the first composite paddle was made by Arlen Paranto, previous owner of Pro-Lite Sports and Boeing Industrial Engineer. He used a fiberglass honeycomb panel. Arlen made about 1,000 paddles from fiberglass/honeycomb core and graphite/honeycomb core materials.

Pickleball has brought so much to people’s lives from creating brand new friendships to getting players feeling fit and active. Many who were once sedentary have now found a refreshing form of exercise that they look forward to. If you have played this game, you know that any skill level or ability can play. Even more promising is that you improve quickly. We at Pro-Lite Sports love to hear our customers’ stories about the first time they played pickleball or what the game has given to them. Feel free to email us your story at sales@pro-litesports.com.

The first time I ever played pickleball was in the 1980’s at the Weyerhaeuser Fitness Center. They had just installed one pickleball court. My father, Mark Friedenberg, was a computer analyst there and would often play during his lunch hours. Shortly after, he introduced me to this fairly new game. I was an avid tennis player so I picked up the game quickly. I remember the variety of paddles on the rack above the courts. Most were wooden, but I was drawn to the one made out of a different material with a ball and lightning bolt in the sweet spot. It played better than all of the others and felt great in my hands. My father taught me the rules of the game, the boundaries, and the strategies. What did I learn from this game? At the time…that I really wanted to beat my dad. Looking back at it now…I learned patience. I learned shot selection. I learned never to underestimate my opponent. Most importantly, I learned how this game can bring enjoyment to players in the purest form. That this game can bridge the gap between all generations creating a positive social atmosphere. If there was ever a lifelong sport to be enjoyed by everyone, pickleball is it. I am proud to be involved in such a great game.

Neil Friedenberg, Owner
Pro-Lite Sports