At Boffo, we don’t just work hard, we play hard too. Last week, our team swapped spreadsheets and tools for paddles and nets and embarked on a new kind of adventure, pickleball!
For the latest installment of our Boffo Team Adventure Series we headed out to IPOP in Burnaby – the Inclusive Place of Pickleball. It’s a giant space near the City of Lougheed that features multiple Pickleball courts, a lounge and more.
For some of us, this was a first-time experience. Which worked out great considering we started off with a lesson in all things Pickleball – we learned terms like ‘kitchen’ and ‘dink’ (yes it’s a real pickleball term!) and how scoring works in groups of 3 numbers – your points, your opponent’s points and then your serving number (there are two servers in doubles!).
Once we had the basics covered, we split up and tested out a pickleball paddle and ball – both very different when you haven’t used them before. We practiced volleying from the kitchen area and then eventually graduated to the whole court.
After everyone became a bit more familiar we broke into teams and the friendly competition began!
The games were fast-paced, full of quick reflexes, strategic shots, and yes, plenty of playful trash talk. It wasn’t just about who scored the most points, it was about encouraging each other, learning from mistakes, and celebrating small victories.
What made the day truly special was how pickleball brought out everyone’s unique strengths. Some teammates excelled at smashing the ball across the court, and a few discovered newfound agilities they didn’t know they had. Every point felt like a mini team triumph, reinforcing the idea that collaboration and a little friendly competition make us stronger together.
By the end of the day, tired arms and competitive grins were paired with a stronger sense of camaraderie. We left the court with a renewed appreciation for teamwork, a few new inside jokes, and a shared memory that will be hard to forget.
Here at Boffo, adventures like this remind us that work isn’t just about deadlines and projects, it’s about connecting, growing, and having fun along the way. Pickleball may have been the game, but teamwork was the real win.