This past month, PICKLESTARS Professional Dylan has taken his passion for pickleball far beyond the courts of Celebrity Cruises, stepping into international tournaments in New Zealand and now in Australia at the DUPR Queensland Pickleball Slam, one of the sport’s premier global events. Carrying the PICKLESTARS spirit into international play, Dylan will compete among the best of the best, a milestone and moment of pride for our team and community.
His journey has been more than competition; it’s been about growth, perspective, and sharing the joy of the game with others. Much of that perspective comes from his time on board, where teaching new players shaped the way he now approaches his own game. For Dylan, working with guests aboard Celebrity Cruises has reshaped how he views his own game. “Shifting into the coaching space full-time has made me look more intensely at the ‘why’ behind everything I do on the court. Having to teach others what you do instinctively gives you a whole different perspective on your own game.”
That balance of teaching and competing has been especially rewarding. Helping new players discover pickleball’s excitement reminded him of the heart of the sport. “Getting the opportunity to pursue something I’m so passionate about as a career has been amazing. Helping people find their love for pickleball and seeing the excitement as they feel themselves progressing is something I’ll never get tired of.”
Balancing his time coaching guests on cruises with competing internationally, Dylan found that the lessons carried over in surprising ways. “The most helpful thing I will carry over is talking about the mentality of the game. How to deal with pressure, how to adapt your game to shift momentum. It’s relevant at all levels. Guests would come to me with all kinds of questions that sparked great discussions while waiting for their turn to play.”
That grounding perspective has kept Dylan balanced, even while facing some of the best in the world. “Introducing new players to the game and being surrounded by people who are playing purely for the love of the game really keeps you grounded. For players working hard to ‘make it,’ it can be easy to forget that the main reason we play is that it’s just good fun. Playing with the top players is a challenge I’m always grateful for, and while I play to win, I always want to make sure I’m still having a good time. To adapt Roger Federer’s quote from his Dartmouth commencement speech, ‘Pickleball can show you the world, but it can never be the world.’”
Looking back, this combination of travel, instruction, and international competition has been transformative. “This has been a big highlight and very eye-opening for me. Seeing that it is possible for me to pursue a lifestyle supported by pickleball has been inspiring. Exploring the world and meeting some amazing people has really broadened my perspective. I’ve learnt so much about myself and grown immensely. I will not be returning home the same person, and that’s so exciting!”
Dylan’s journey reminds us that pickleball is more than a sport; it’s a way to connect, to grow, and to see the world in many new ways. At PICKLESTARS, we’re proud to celebrate stories like his that inspire our community to keep learning, playing, and dreaming bigger. Anytime, anywhere.