Building Community Through Pickleball: Vicky Smith’s Story

From Ewa Beach to Vegas: A Journey of Pickleball and connection

Ewa Beach—Pickleball has a way of bringing people together, rekindling old friendships, and creating new ones.

For Vicky Smith, it all started in 2019 at Asing Park in Ewa Beach, when a chance encounter with friends sparked a lifelong love for pickleball. Alongside her husband Jeff, she’s become a key figure in growing and sustaining the West Side’s thriving pickleball community.

What started as a small group quickly outgrew its original home. They moved from Asing to Geiger Park with about 16 players, but as the community kept growing, they soon needed even more space. Now, with over 80 players, they’ve settled at Ewa Mahiko. I’ve seen it firsthand on a Saturday night—an army of players showing up to play, compete, and connect!

Whether she’s organizing games, refereeing tournaments, or competing in both Hawaii and Vegas, she embodies the spirit of the game with enthusiasm and heart.

Without further ado, please meet Vicky Smith!

Vicky and her husband Jeff, with Jade and Jackie Kawamoto at the PPA tournament in Las Vegas (October 2024)

Currently residing in: Kapolei

Where did you grow up and what high school did you go to?

Grew up in Palama until the 6th grade then moved to Aliamanu. Attended Radford High until the 12th grade switched over to Farrington High where I graduated in '68.

How did you discover pickleball and when did you start playing?

Started playing in 2019 before COVID at Asing Park in Ewa Beach. Ran into old friends one day who said they were playing pickleball. I didn't know anything about the sport but went out to play with my husband Jeff and we've been playing ever since.

Fell in love with the game that we became one of several coordinators to set up and run the games on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday mornings and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. Also, with the support of the gang at Ewa Mahiko hosted the Labor Day Pickleball tournaments for the past three years. Lucky Jeff and I have been able to rely on fellow players to take over the responsibility to run the show in our absence.

We've been spending more time in Vegas (second home) where we enjoy playing there as well.

What do you love about pickleball?

The things I love about pickleball: staying active and playing a sport that our age can have so much fun and be competitive, meeting new people and connecting with old friends, it’s something all family members can enjoy doing together, and it provides an opportunity to travel and play outer island and mainland tournaments.

You’re a pickleball referee.  When did you get certified as a referee and what made you decide to do it?

I got my level 1 credential at the Pacific Rim Tournament in 2021.

I signed up to a referee training session prior to the Pac Rim tournament and was asked to volunteer. This is when I was assessed by certified refs and received my Level 1 status.

The game has changed and forever growing in leaps and bounds. Refereeing is the best way to know the rules and how to enforce them accordingly.

When my body can no longer compete I hope that I'll be able to stay involved in the game by refereeing.

Vicky, with fellow referees (L) Dean McColgan and (R) Ben Flores

What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, school, etc)?

Outside of pickleball my time is spent going to my grandson's baseball games and my other grandson's volleyball games. I've been fortunate to travel with with my grandchildren to their sport events here as well as on the outer islands and mainland.

I just retired 12/31/24 as a Real Estate Broker after 20 years and before that from Verizon after 34 years of service.

What paddle are you playing with?

Currently, I play with a Joola Perseus Mod 16 and my back-ups are Crush and Yobi. Due to the ban of the Joola, just purchased a CPX PRO that I got in the mail today.

How often do you play?

I play Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays in the morning and Saturday nights at Mahiko. Also, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Diamond Head when I can.

What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)? 

My next goal is to get my Level 2 referee credentials this year and to improve my DUPR.

Above: the Ewa Mahiko gang on the 4th of July 2024, and below, at Christmas in 2023