When it comes to unique places to play pickleball, Lieutenant Colonel Jared Wood might just take the crown. The Air Force veteran recently made waves on social media when he posted a video of himself playing pickleball in Antarctica, trading the usual court surface for packed snow and ice. While the conditions weren't exactly regulation – there wasn't even a net – the video captured the imagination of pickleball enthusiasts worldwide and highlighted just how far the sport has spread.
For Wood, who is stationed near Tacoma, Washington, the journey to becoming a pickleball ambassador in one of Earth's most remote locations began with a simple Father's Day gift in 2024. His daughters gave him a starter pickleball set from Target, and what started as a casual introduction to the sport quickly developed into a passionate pursuit. With a background in tennis, Wood found himself naturally drawn to the game's familiar yet distinct mechanics.
From Military Aviation to Antarctic Pickleball
As Director of Operations for the Air Force's Antarctica mission supporting the National Science Foundation, Wood's path to playing pickleball at McMurdo Station was anything but typical. His role involves coordinating C-17 flights from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Antarctica, and transporting scientists, support personnel, and essential equipment to the research station. The mission represents a crucial partnership between military aviation and scientific research, ensuring that vital studies can continue in one of the world's most challenging environments.
The Antarctic video wasn't exactly a planned exhibition match. Wood and a fellow service member ventured onto the parking apron, where the surface was relatively flat and compact. Despite temperatures hovering around five degrees Fahrenheit and the absence of a net, they managed to rally back and forth, though Wood admits with a laugh that there wasn't much dinking involved – mostly lobs.
"Next time I think we probably need to put up a net," Wood said. "You know, that would make it a little more legit."
The extreme conditions required careful preparation, with players donning multiple layers of specialized cold-weather gear. Wood explained that in Antarctica, even your eyes need protection.
"You've got to make sure that you have goggles on, because your eyes literally will freeze open because it's so cold,” he stressed.
Finding a Pickleball Community Abroad
While his Antarctic pickleball adventure gained attention, Wood's regular pickleball routine actually blossomed during his time in New Zealand. The owner of their hotel in Christchurch, upon learning about the team's enthusiasm for pickleball, converted his tennis court into two pickleball courts. This thoughtful adaptation allowed Wood and his fellow service members to play almost daily during their stays.
"We played almost every day," Wood recalled. "And then in Christchurch, there's a local pickleball group where they have indoor sessions, and when the weather turns nice, they go outdoors. It's an up-and-coming pickleball locale in New Zealand."
Strengthening Military Bonds Through Pickleball
As both an active Air Force Reserve pilot and a veteran of 10 years of active duty service, Wood sees tremendous potential for pickleball to bring together service members and veterans. The sport's accessibility and social nature make it an ideal platform for building connections within the military community.
"Anytime that you have people that have served, veterans... one thing they like to do is, especially when you're waiting for a game, they just love to talk about their time," Wood explained. "If they know that you're a veteran, they love to share their stories and their experiences and just kind of talk about their service."
Wood believes a veterans-based pickleball league would be highly successful, citing the unspoken camaraderie that naturally emerges when veterans connect and share their experiences.
"It would be a great way for veterans to kind of bond and to lead not only into pickleball, but then also talk about life. Any issues that veterans have, they can find someone to have an ally in,” Wood shared.
For active duty service members considering picking up a paddle, Wood emphasizes the natural fit between military values and pickleball culture.
"Being a service member, staying fit, being competitive, right? Those are important things," he notes. "And for those of us that maybe don't have the chops to play tennis anymore like we used to, pickleball is a nice way to downshift."
Bringing Pickleball to Military Bases and Beyond
When he's not flying C-17s or playing pickleball in extreme conditions, Wood keeps busy with various pursuits. He works as a simulator instructor for Air Force pilots and runs a youth basketball league with 150 teams in the East Seattle metro area. A native of Central Washington, he embraces the outdoor lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest, enjoying activities like skiing, camping, and mountain biking.
Looking ahead, Wood envisions pickleball continuing to grow within military communities, both on and off base. He sees potential for partnerships between pickleball organizations like DUPR and Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs to help facilitate this growth, suggesting that existing tennis court infrastructure could be converted to support the rising interest in pickleball among service members.
From the frozen expanse of Antarctica to the courts of New Zealand and back home in Washington state, Wood's pickleball journey exemplifies the sport's ability to create connections and community in unexpected places. His story reminds us that whether you're playing on a professional court or the Antarctic ice, pickleball's true value lies in its power to bring people together – even at the bottom of the world.
