Selkirk Sport partners with Parkinson’s Foundation to promote the benefits of physical activity for people with Parkinson’s disease
April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month and National Pickleball Month.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (April 15, 2025) – In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Selkirk Sport, a leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, has partnered with the Parkinson’s Foundation to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
"Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to help people with Parkinson’s maintain their independence and improve their quality of life," said John Lehr, president and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation. "This partnership with Selkirk Sport raises crucial funds and highlights the importance of staying active through sports like pickleball."
Through this initiative, Selkirk is introducing two specially-designed pickleball paddles — the EVO and the AMPED Pro Air — each featuring the Parkinson’s Foundation logo. These paddle models were chosen with input from members of the Parkinson’s community for their lightweight design and maneuverability.
For every pickleball paddle sold, Selkirk will donate 12% of sales to the Parkinson’s Foundation, a percentage that represents the 1.2 million people projected to be living with Parkinson’s by 2030.
The collaboration underscores the growing body of research that highlights the role of exercise in improving mobility, balance and overall well-being for those living with Parkinson’s. Research from the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the largest clinical study of Parkinson’s disease, has shown that people with Parkinson’s who begin exercising early and maintain a routine of at least 2.5 hours per week experience a slower decline in quality of life.
"At Selkirk Sport, we believe in the transformative power of pickleball, and we are proud to support the Parkinson’s Foundation in its mission to improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s," said Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. "By offering these special paddles and supporting the PD community, we hope to encourage more people to stay active and engaged through sport."
Selkirk and Parkinson’s Foundation ambassador Scott Rider, who has lived with Parkinson’s for more than 18 years, is an advocate of playing pickleball to manage the symptoms of PD.
"As someone who lives with Parkinson’s, I’ve experienced firsthand how staying active can make a difference," Rider said. "Pickleball has become an essential part of my routine, not only to stay physically fit but also to connect with the PD and pickleball community."
The exclusive Parkinson’s-branded EVO and AMPED Pro Air pickleball paddles are available now at Selkirk.com.
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About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $474 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
About Selkirk Sport
Selkirk Sport, a premium manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim. Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service. It has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing companies, with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Jack Sock, Catherine Parenteau, James Ignatowich and a host of other premier players and national champions.