About Me
About Chris Klein
Global VP of Sales, IAPPF
Founder, PickleballPadel
PPR-Certified Pickleball Coach
Active Padel Player
Author — Pickleball In No Time
Chris Klein doesn't just talk about the pickleball-to-padel transition — he lives it every day.
As a certified pickleball coach and active padel player at Club Pickle & Padel in Highland Park, IL — the North Shore's largest indoor facility with 10 pickleball courts and 4 padel courts — Chris coaches pickleball players, plays padel himself, and watches the crossover happen in real time. He knows firsthand which pickleball skills transfer instantly, which habits you need to unlearn, and what gear you actually need to get started.
"That on-court experience is backed by serious industry credentials — because being on the court every day is just the beginning."
As Global VP of Sales at the International Association of Pickleball Facilities (IAPPF), Chris works with pickleball and padel facilities, manufacturers, and industry leaders across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. With over 25 years of experience in sales, operations, and business development, he helps organizations navigate new markets and capitalize on the explosive growth of paddle sports worldwide.
As the founder of PickleballPadel, he's become one of the leading voices on the U.S. padel industry — consulting with facilities on introducing padel, advising padel manufacturers entering the American market, and speaking at industry trade shows on market trends, facility expansion, and business strategy.
He's also the author of Pickleball In No Time and holds his PPR pickleball teaching certification.
Why Listen to Chris?
Most people writing about pickleball and padel are watching from the sidelines. Chris is on the court coaching pickleball in the morning, playing padel in the afternoon, and advising facility owners and global manufacturers in between. There's no one better positioned to guide your transition.
Who This Site Is For
🎯Pickleball Players
Curious about padel? Get gear guides, rule breakdowns, skill transfer tips, and court-finding help — written by someone who made the same journey.
🏗️Facility Owners
Exploring padel? Get consulting, court installation guidance, and industry connections through IAPPF.
🌎Padel Brands
Entering the U.S. market? Tap into market strategy, distribution, and sales expertise with a proven global track record.
Connect with Chris
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IAPPF.org — International Association of Pickleball Facilities
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Club Pickle & Padel — 2205 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL
TESTIMONIALS
We are proud of the positive feedback we receive from our customers. Here are just a few examples of what they have to say about PickleballPadel:
Casey Johnson