Depressed, Stuck, and Searching, How Pickleball Became the Answer for Evan Kuterbach
Some people find therapy in yoga. Others in journaling.
For Evan Kuterbach? It was pickleball.
Yes, pickleball. That quirky, not-quite-tennis, not-quite-ping-pong sport that’s been blowing up across the country. And for Evan, it didn’t just become a way to pass the time, it became his way out of a dark place, a path to entrepreneurship, and the spark behind Canyon Pickleball, a brand that’s redefining the game.
But before there was Canyon, before the booming business, the community, and the national park-inspired paddle designs… there was just a guy, a newborn baby, and a serious case of “What am I doing with my life?”
The Dark Days & the Accidental Cure
It started with a move.
Colorado to Florida. No friends. No familiarity. Just change, the kind that feels more like a gut punch than an opportunity. And when you throw in a newborn baby (aka a tiny human who doesn’t care about your sleep schedule), it’s no surprise that Evan found himself in a deep fog of anxiety and depression.
His old outlets, music, writing, weren’t cutting it. He needed something physical.
Something outside.
And then, he remembered.
“That time I played pickleball in Colorado… I actually felt pretty damn good.”
So, one day, with nothing but a cheap paddle and zero expectations, he walked onto a Florida pickleball court.
And just like that, everything changed.
More Than a Game, A Lifeline
Pickleball wasn’t just a sport. It was a community.
A weird, wonderful mix of 12-year-olds, retirees, war veterans, and weekend warriors, all coming together in a way that just doesn’t happen in most sports. No gatekeeping, no intimidation, just people showing up and having fun.
And for Evan, that was everything.
This wasn’t just about exercise, it was about belonging.
And that sense of belonging sparked something bigger.
What if he could build something that blended his love for pickleball, his obsession with the outdoors, and his passion for business?
What if there was a brand that didn’t just sell paddles, but stood for something?
Enter: Canyon Pickleball.
No Experience? No Problem. Just Google It.
Evan wasn’t alone in this.
Through a marketing mastermind, he met his future co-founder, a like-minded hustler who was just as sick of making money for other people and ready to build something for themselves.
Neither of them had experience in manufacturing, logistics, or product design.
No fancy connections.
No deep insider knowledge of pickleball gear.
So what did they do?
They Googled the hell out of it.
Seriously.
“How to manufacture pickleball paddles.”
“Best sustainable packaging for outdoor brands.”
“How not to go broke starting a physical product business.”
Bit by bit, Google and YouTube became their business mentors. They cold-emailed manufacturers, sourced designers on Upwork, and posted on LinkedIn asking for advice.
And then, one day, a sample paddle arrived.
It was real.
They weren’t just talking about starting a business. They had done it.

Canyon Pickleball: A Brand with a Mission
Canyon Pickleball isn’t just about selling paddles.
It’s about connection. To the game. To the outdoors. To each other.
Every paddle design is inspired by national parks, bringing the beauty of nature onto the court. A portion of sales is donated to national park conservation efforts. Even the packaging? Sustainably sourced.
Because this isn’t just a business.
It’s a movement.
The Highs, the Lows, and the Hustle Ahead
Let’s be real, building a brand from scratch isn’t all victory laps and viral success stories.
Canyon Pickleball launched its first sales on July 4th, 2023. And while they’ve sold enough to sustain the business, every dollar still goes back into ads, inventory, and growth.
No one’s rolling in riches just yet.
But that’s not the goal.
The goal is scaling smart. Expanding beyond pickleball into a full outdoor lifestyle brand, apparel, gear, and beyond.
The goal is keeping the mission alive, growing a community where anyone can play, move, and connect.
And yeah, maybe even getting on Shark Tank.
Because why the hell not?
The Takeaway?
Evan’s story isn’t just about pickleball.
It’s about taking a risk.
It’s about finding that thing that brings you joy and going all in.
It’s about starting, even when you don’t have all the answers.
So, what’s stopping you?
Maybe today’s the day you pick up a paddle. Or launch that business. Or send that one email that changes everything.
Because the hardest part?
Is just showing up.
Connect with Evan and Canyon here:
https://www.instagram.com/canyonpickleball
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kuterbach
Listen to a recent podcast episode with Evan Kuterbach