Halina Slowinski is back! One of our favorite fan-favorite guests returns with a real-time tour check-in from California at the PPA Masters. Halina shares what it’s like competing as a 10-year-old junior pickleball player, how she balances homeschooling + travel, what she’s training at The Pickler & Montclair Pickleball, and the specific skills she’s focused on right now (including backhand flicks, overheads, footwork, and improving singles). We also talk sponsors, paddles, tournament partners, and her best advice for kids getting started: get on the court and believe in yourself.
Follow along and track Halina’s next stops as she heads to Las Vegas and then Minnesota for another tournament.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Helena
01:22 Transitioning to Homeschooling for Pickleball
02:30 Competing in Tournaments
04:31 Life on the Road as a Young Athlete
06:17 Daily Habits and Training Insights
08:06 Working with Coach Jeff Heirs
09:47 Footwork and Fitness Training
12:20 Upcoming Tournaments and Goals
13:25 Surprises and Challenges in Pickleball
14:31 Acknowledging Sponsors and Support
16:15 Favorite Paddle and Shots
17:53 Meeting Professional Players
19:00 Future Aspirations and Advice for Young Players
Follow Halina:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/halina_pb_queen
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/