Paddle for Health

Paddleboarders ready to Dam That Cancer for peace of mind

Communities and individuals are always ready to rally around friends and family diagnosed with cancer. Their efforts to raise funds and awareness can go a long way towards helping with the physical treatment of cancer patients, often because so many have been touched by this disease.

While improving cancer prevention and treatment is of the utmost importance, it’s the mental battle that can sometimes make the difference in overcoming cancer.

The Flatwater Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health access to those affected by cancer, whether a patient or the family member. To raise awareness of this aspect of cancer treatment, the foundation will hold its signature event on the waters of Lake Austin, Dam That Cancer on Monday, June 3.

“Strong mental health can mean everything when coping with something as serious as a cancer diagnosis,” says Mark Garza, founder of Dam That Cancer. “So many unknowns are injected into a family dynamic, and so many people are affected. It's often the balance and state of mind one creates that can equate to success and triumph.”

To bring focus to mental wellbeing, a small fleet of stand-up paddleboarders will travel the entire length of Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam during the event. Each paddler has raised over $1,500 for the Flatwater Foundation, and their journey under the Texas sun will test their resolve, but they’re ready to prove that a strong state of mind can overcome physical trials.

“Negative thoughts and depression are battles that can be overcome, and in overcoming these mental hurdles, or eliminating them all together, people can really stay focused on the task at hand, which is overcoming cancer," Garza says. “Good mental balance, a strong mental state, can often be the difference between life and death.”

Garza understands that mentality firsthand after having to support his father when he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. He would soon start to find solace with his father’s diagnosis each morning while on his paddleboard in what he referred to as his “accidental meditation.”

“It was in this experience that I began to see the mental health benefits of exercise, and the importance of a clear and healthy mind when facing something as devastating as cancer,” says Garza.

And Garza isn’t alone in helping others to understand the importance of mental health. Two-time Olympian Trey Hardee has stepped up to help Garza and the Flatwater Foundation to spread the message and to help those in need.

“I support Dam That Cancer because I believe in the mission of The Flatwater Foundation,” says Hardee. “Helping people navigate through diagnosis and treatment through mental wellness is a lifesaving tool that Flatwater can provide limitless numbers of families.”

Hardee is now a major proponent of the Flatwater Foundation’s goal to increase awareness of assisting with mental health during cancer treatment as well as Garza’s view that exercise can create a positive outlook on what can be a very difficult time.

“It's definitely right in line with where I came from. I first thought of mental therapy in a stigmatized, 'hush-hush' kind of way. How Flatwater is trying to change that stigma in a fun, young, Austin kind of way is really changing people's minds and showing how great a need there is for what they're doing in the Austin community,” says Hardee.

If you can't withstand the summer sun out on the water, you can still take part in a big celebration at the end of the course at Hula Hut, where more funds will be raised to help Dam That Cancer and the Flatwater Foundation.

The organization also accepts direct donations from local supporters and companies, as well as other volunteer opportunities. No matter how it’s done, Garza, Hardee and all of their partners are glad for the help they can receive, because it can allow them to help those who really need it.

For Garza, Flatwater's goal is simple: “To change the conversation about mental health and therapy and eliminate the stigma associated with getting help, so that our community can see that it is not only empowering, but critical for achieving balance and well being,” he says. “Helping us spread this message can save lives and help so many people overcome the challenges of diagnosis.”

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High Score

Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report

Photo by Henry Selis Photo

Other Racquet Social Club is back after city woes.

It's no secret that Austinites love pickleball. A new study proves just how much by ranking Austin the No. 1 city for pickleball in the whole country. Dallas and Houston also made the top 10 at Nos. 3 and 8, respectively.

The report was published by TeachMe.To, an online marketplace for learning sports (and sometimes music) from private instructors. It used data from its own platform, USA Pickleball, Places2Play, local pickleball associations, and more. It also referred to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America, with a growth rate of 223.5 percent over three years.

Similarly, TeachMe.To ranked Austin as the fastest-growing city for pickleball, and citing this as the main reason for the overall title of "the nation's pickleball capital."

It name-checked the Austin Metro Pickleball Association (AMPA) — with approximately 3,000-3,500 members — and the Austin Pickleball League (APL), estimating that overall, "15,000-20,000 people play pickleball at least occasionally in the greater Austin area." About half of those players — about 8,000-10,000 people — play at least twice a month.

The report did not include gender data on Austin, specifically, but it did note that not only are two-thirds of pickleball players female; women's involvement in the sport is also growing 50 percent faster than men's.

New courts everywhere
This probably isn't a surprise to people who have noticed the number of courts opened around Austin in recent years. By 2024, TeachMe.To's data shows 32 dedicated courts in Austin, and thanks to with a utility rate of 92 percent it doesn't look like that'll be slowing down.

In the summer of 2023, the online booking platform Swimply noticed how many pickleball courts there were in Austin compared to such great demand, and added courts to its service. In fall 2023 and summer 2024, at least two important developments expanded that availability: Other Racquet Social Club opened as a friendly, country club-like neighborhood option, and national chain The Picklr announced it's bringing five locations to Austin and Round Rock.

Perhaps because Austin is such a food-obsessed city, there seems to be some growing opportunity for food and beverage hospitality around pickleball, too. Other Racquet recently started hosting the Bill's Dips food truck, a spinoff of the popular downtown restaurant Bill's Oyster; and a pair of bars with pickleball courts, Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and The Pickle Pub, also opened in South Austin this year, with strong online ratings already.

The trend has even reached into real estate (see this cute house with its own pickleball court) and inspired athletes to introduce similar sports to the local market, as in the case of the padel club Paddle39. TeachMe.To's report also mentioned tech companies adding pickleball to their campuses.

Aside from growth, the study also considered lesson activity (including information about teacher availability and diversity of clinic offerings), infrastructure, community vitality, the tournament scene.

Austin had the highest concentration of all the cities of players under 40 (65 percent), as well as the highest share of national lesson bookings. At 16.90 percent, that means about one in six of the pickleball lessons contracted through this platform were in Austin. Lesson demand, the report says, is growing 125 percent year-over-year.

Elsewhere in Texas
Dallas was No. 3 thanks in part to its "central location" according to the report.

"The city's 45 dedicated courts and 85 [percent] public accessibility rate have fostered one of the most active competitive scenes in the country, with 8,500 registered league players," it says. "The combination of strong tournament presence, extensive infrastructure, and a 112% growth in lesson bookings solidifies Dallas as a powerhouse in the national pickleball landscape."

Houston made No. 8 with an emphasis on integrating pickleball with other sports.

"The city's 22 dedicated courts have seen a 92% increase in lesson bookings, driven by innovative programming that includes the nation's first corporate league system," it says. "Houston's success in integrating pickleball into existing sports infrastructure while maintaining 72% year-round utilization demonstrates a sustainable model for rapid growth."

Overall predictions
After laying out data about the top cities in pickleball, the report made some predictions. As the Austin newcomer mentioned above believes, the report also thinks padel is the next big thing. It also guesses more cities will act like Houston by focusing on hybrid facilities.

It also expects to see an expanded professional circuit and mainstream coverage, more technology used on the court, a rise in the prevalence of young players, and more opportunities in corporate wellness and real estate. "Dedicated pickleball facilities will become as common as swimming pools in luxury developments," it says. Texans will be the judge of that one.

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