South Padre Island showcases its natural beauty and vibrant community through a wide array of attractions. Visitors can explore Sea Turtle Inc., take dolphin-watching boat tours, and visit acclaimed birding and nature centers that highlight the region’s unique wildlife. The island also offers beautiful beaches, shopping, diverse dining options, and year-round events.
Winter Texans — seasonal residents who migrate to South Texas during the colder months — are an essential part of the local community. Together with year-round residents, they enjoy the many activities and amenities South Padre Island provides.
One activity that has surged in popularity in recent years is pickleball — a sport that blends the accessibility of table tennis with the competitive nature of tennis and badminton. John “JR” Raschilla, a founding member of the RGV Pickleball Association, has been instrumental in expanding the sport across the Rio Grande Valley and helping open numerous public courts.
In 2017, Raschilla’s wife encouraged him to try pickleball because many players at the time were seniors. “I looked at her and said, ‘Are you crazy? You want me to play a game with old people?’” he recalled with a laugh. “About a year later, I went, ‘Hey bud, you’re old.’”
After his first four-hour session, he immediately bought equipment and spent the next day serving more than 1,000 balls. Since then, he has remained committed to growing the sport in the Valley.
Today, Raschilla is a U.S. Pickleball ambassador, a Level 2 certified instructor, and a national champion. As the sport expands and organizations compete for influence, his focus remains steady: “We are about bringing it to the people,” he said. “Because we love the sport. That’s why we do it.”
Raschilla and the association provide free lessons for seniors and have successfully encouraged local governments to build public courts. He believes expanding pickleball not only benefits local residents but also attracts visitors.
“If you play pickleball, you are not going to go to a place that does not have pickleball,” Raschilla said. “When I first tried to take it to the city, the only courts were in RV parks — that didn’t help the city,” he said. Within months, eight public courts were built.
Raschilla believes South Padre Island could become a leading pickleball destination thanks to its many existing attractions. With wildlife sanctuaries, horseback riding, and pristine beaches, he says the island only lacks one thing: pickleball.
What began as a small passion project has evolved into a thriving community. “When I first started this,” Raschilla said, “there were maybe 15 people in a single tournament. Last year at the Pickleball on Padre tournament, we had more than 250 participants — and thousands more showed up just to watch.”
Pickleball on Padre is scheduled for Jan. 27–31, 2026, featuring both indoor and outdoor competitions. The event will also offer free-play sessions for participants to practice and connect with others involved in the country’s fastest-growing sport. For more information, visit info.enjoyspi.com/event/pickleball-on-padre-2.
