Busy young professionals turn to sport to boost social circles

Who's for pickleball?

A study of engagement in urban sports jointly released by sportswear brand Skechers, newspaper Southern Weekly, and a research center under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in August, showed the expanding diversity of fitness activities in China.

Urban residents now participate in 3.4 different sports on average, dedicating approximately 50 minutes to each session.

The sports range from traditional ones like soccer and basketball to emerging sports such as pickleball and ultimate frisbee. Light activities including hiking and camping are also gaining in popularity among city dwellers, the report said.

More than 70 percent of urban residents participate in three or more sports regularly, with millennials and Generation Z leading the trend, it said.

As new recreational sports emerge, few are taken up globally. Pickleball, however, is an exception mainly due to the ease of social connections formed between players.

"The success of pickleball in China stems from its unique position in the sports landscape," said Zhang Xiangxiang, owner of Ou Pickleball Club in Wenzhou, Zhejiang.

"Unlike traditional racket sports, pickleball encourages social interaction, particularly through doubles play."

The sport bridges the age gap, he said, and his club regularly has players aged 8 to 65 sharing the same court.

Since opening in June, Zhang has seen pickleball attracting sporting novices. Many young professionals who have never been involved in athletic pursuits before have discovered a passion for pickleball, he said.

The social aspects of the sport stand out. Zhang said the club hosts monthly members' tournaments, professional player visits, and themed events such as Halloween nights.

"In Wenzhou, a second-tier city with strong consumer spending power, we've successfully replicated and even enhanced the premium experience of first-tier city clubs," he said.