Like many great brands, PicklePeak was born on the back of a napkin…

Two women standing outdoors on a tree-lined road, smiling at the camera. They are wearing glasses, white shirts over dark tops, and blue jeans. One has short gray hair, the other has short light brown hair.

O U R  S T O R Y

After attending a beginner pickleball lesson at a conference team builder, colleagues Tonya Gill and Claudia Macon returned to Chesapeake, VA, ready to play. What they discovered was an absence of courts and an abundance of people interested in the sport.

They were inspired to create PicklePeak, which aims to be an inclusive and exceptional place to play pickleball and build community. PicklePeak will not only teach new players how to play the game and help existing players improve their skills, but it will also provide a great time for everyone, even those who don't play!

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to bring joy to people of all ages by providing a welcoming environment to build inclusive and diverse friendships, create community, promote a sense of belonging, and have FUN!

A diverse group of five smiling people taking a selfie on a road surrounded by trees.

O U R   T E A M

We are a team that is passionate about pickleball and investing in our local community!

Get to know us a little better below!

  • A smiling woman sits on a red bench outdoors, holding a green tennis ball, with a paddle next to her. She is wearing a white shirt, dark jeans, sandals, and a smartwatch, with short curly hair, in a green, leafy park setting.

    Claudia Macon

    FINANCE & REAL ESTATE

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    I am a mom, veteran, entrepreneur, U.S. naval officer, retired assistant professor of business at Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake momma-preneur and lover of the game of pickleball.

  • An older woman with short gray hair, glasses, and jewelry, sitting outdoors on a red chair on a paved road, smiling and wearing a white shirt, dark pants, and tan sandals, with lush green foliage in the background.

    Tonya Gill

    COMMUNITY PARTNER & SPONSORSHIPS

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    I am an entrepreneur, community collaborator, public relations and marketing professional, and was a long-time Development Officer with United Way, as well as a dedicated community volunteer serving on various organizations and boards. I manage marketing, community engagement, and enrollment for Primrose School in Edinburgh Commons in Chesapeake—the leader in early childhood education. I am also a strong advocate for the City of Chesapeake’s economic development growth.

  • A woman with purple streaks in her hair, wearing purple shoes, is sitting on a red stool on a paved road with yellow lines. She is outdoors, smiling, with a background of green trees and sunlight.

    Sarah Costen

    PICKLEBALL OPERATIONS

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    I found my passion for pickleball during the pandemic. My HOA painted pickleball lines on the neighborhood tennis court and, feeling desperate to get out of the house, my husband and I bought wood paddles and headed over to give it a try. We found that Pickleball is a game that is easy to learn, but a challenge to master. Things escalated quickly, as we learned the rules and tips from the internet, upgraded our equipment, and tried to find our community. My goal is to make PicklePeak a place where new players feel at home, that will provide challenging league, tournament, and skill level matched open play for players at all levels, and brings the community of Pickleball to Chesapeake.

  • Woman in red blazer and jeans holding a yellow pickle ball and paddle standing on a rural road surrounded by trees

    Antonia McLaren

    EVENTS AND EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

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    I am so proud to be a part of this team. As a mom and wife whose days are kept busy with youth sports and activities, having a place for families to come together in Chesapeake is the cherry on top. I am an entrepreneur and proud Army veteran (Go Army! Beat Navy!). As an avid sports fan with a passion for people, I am excited to be a part of PicklePeak as the Events Coordinator and to grow the pickleball community in Chesapeake.

  • A smiling man sitting outdoors on a red chair, holding a pickle ball and paddle, with a bright background of trees and sunlight.

    Brennan Huffer

    FOOD & BEVERAGE OPERATIONS

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    I am an entrepreneur at heart and fervent about building up the community in which I reside. I started my pickleball passion in 2012 through playing, and have wanted to bring my passion for this sport and the community aspect it creates, ever since. As a recent transplant to the City of Chesapeake, I want to be a part of bringing a business that transforms my city into a destination.  This project is a perfect combination of community progress and recreational leisure that I am confident will be well-received and supported in the Chesapeake community. I look forward to bringing my neighbors out to Live, Laugh and Play.