Learn from a Pro: Christina Chin (AKA PICKLEBALL ON ICE)

One-Minute Pickleball Topspin Tip

Honolulu--I was lucky enough to catch Christina on the last few days of her time in the islands. First, I took her clinic and then, we met up to film a short interview and tip for the Hawaii pickleball community.

Christina is from Canada; she’s been ice skating since she was two and playing ice hockey since age four (hence her social media handle @pickleballonice). She played hockey in college at York University in Toronto (where she’s from), and competed for a spot on the China Olympic hockey team for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

At some point she got burned out and her Dad introduced her to pickleball. Pickleball offered her a new way to channel her athleticism and drive to compete, because playing hockey for so many years had begun to feel redundant, with not much room to grow.

I asked her what brought her to Hawaii. Initially, she was on the Big Island for the Pac Rim Tourney, but found herself returning to the islands two more times in a span of six months.  Her cousin lives on Oahu, and she was quickly hanai’d when she visited.  

To make Hawaii her pseudo-second home for the summer, Christina took a leave of absence from her day job as a CPA with a big four accounting firm, and had been keeping busy training, coaching, and soaking up the island culture and lifestyle.

Not all high-level athletes are great coaches, but Christina is both. In her clinic, she always started with the “why”, the purpose, and the strategy.  The mechanics followed, but only after the foundational concepts had been explained first.  

A few days after our clinic, she was set to return home, and to work. 

Her parting words…she said she’d miss the weather, the people, and basically everything about Hawaii, and promised to return next summer.

Without further ado, please meet Canadian Pro Christina Chin, aka “pickleballonice”.

A few questions that didn’t make the video:

Are there similarities between hockey and pickleball?

Yes! Anticipation, agility, explosiveness, and hand-eye.

What paddle do you play with?

Joola 3S--lots of power and I’m able to control it. I’m a sponsored player with JOOLA; I love all their paddles. The MOD TA15 is great as well.

Do you have a favorite shot?

Favorite shot is an Erne.

What do you love most about pickleball?

The social aspect and the fact that anyone can play.

What’s the next goal you’re working toward?

Winning an APP medal at the pro level.