John Riedy

Player Bio

Name: John “The Spinja” Riedy

Hometown: Carlsbad, CA

Sponsors: Pickleball Apes, Main Court

Age: 55 (56 in pickleball years)

Family: Wife, Becky and two (known) sons - Cole, 22 - Jack, 19

Most Influential Person in Your Life: My wife, Becky

Year Started Playing Pickleball: 2020

Mentor: Pickleball Mentor - Steve Dawson

Pickleball Coach: Steve Dawson

How you got into Pickleball: Started playing during Covid with my buddies Is drinking a sport? (If yes, at a club level, not varsity). So none.

Famous person you want to play Pickleball with: Vince Vaughn. Hmmm, I wonder if we could make that dream a reality?!?! Hint, hint. ;-)

Pickleball Accomplishments: Recently won my first PPA Senior Pro gold medal. I’m also very proud of going from Mr. Irrelevant (last person drafted) to going 5-0 in line one mixed doubles, having an over 85% overall win percentage in my first NPL year and being one of the “keepers” for the Scorpions.

If in NPL Last year, Favorite Memory: Beating Derisi and Cote in the anchor game of a Team Breaker without hitting a single shot. My amazing mixed partner Julene James floated a high, soft third shot right through the middle that sailed tantalizingly, yet unmolested, between our bemused opponents as they stared inquiringly at each other wondering why the other hadn’t hit the ball for what should have been an easy winner.

What are you most looking forward to this year: CRUSHING the spirits of our opponents. That, and once again donning my six inch platform heels, sparkly silver disco jumpsuit, and curly 70s wig while rocking out to the song “Prisencolinensinainciusol” on the way to the Friday night disco pre-party.