Pickleballer in the 808: NANNA BROWN

Jan 28

Pickleballer in the 808: Nanna Brown with her Gold Medal from the Pearl Harbor Invitational Pickleball Tournament in December 2024

Kula, Maui—When I visited the Kula Pickleball Courts in December 2024, I had the pleasure of meeting Nanna Brown. Her energy and enthusiasm were instantly contagious, and despite having only started playing six months ago, her passion for pickleball has quickly made her a recognizable presence in Maui’s pickleball community and a serious contender in competition.

Originally from Arizona and a proud member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Nanna has embraced pickleball not just as a sport but as a way to reignite her love of competition and community. She’s not only an enthusiastic player but also someone who gives back to the sport—she graciously offered to take pictures for the magazine at the Maui Pukaball Tournament (which I took her up on)! I truly appreciate Nanna’s willingness to lend a hand—her efforts will make the magazine more vibrant with additional photos, and her generosity enriches the entire Hawaii pickleball community.

Without further ado, please meet Pickleballer in the 808, Nanna Brown!

Nanna (L) with Brett Lickle of PKOLL, and (R) with her doubles partner, Debra Lordan, after winning gold at the 2025 Maui Pukaball Tourney.

Currently residing in: Kula, Maui

Where did you grow up and what high school did you go to?

I grew up in Goodyear, Arizona, and graduated from Millennium High School, class of 2003. Then, I graduated from Arizona State University, class of 2009.

I’m from the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

How did you discover pickleball and when did you start playing?

I took a lesson with Laurie Loney from Pukaball Maui, and I was hooked right away. I’ve been playing since August 2024 and haven’t looked back!

What do you love most about pickleball?

I’ve always loved being part of a welcoming community that embraces people from all walks of life. The friendships I’ve formed here have truly enriched my life and brought me so much joy.

Since high school, I’ve missed the thrill of playing sports, but when I discovered pickleball, it immediately clicked for me. (Nanna played volleyball, basketball and track in high school.)

I fell in love with the blend of athleticism and fun, and it’s been an incredible way to reconnect with my passion for sports.

What do you do outside of pickleball?

I design and create glass bead and pearl jewelry, which I sell at Makai Glass Maui, our glassblowing studio. Traveling is a big passion of mine—I’ve explored so many incredible places around the world. My dream is to combine my love for travel with pickleball and play the sport across the globe.

Nanna (L) with her husband Justin and daughter Kaia, and (R) with her doubles partner Diane Schneider after winning gold at the Pearl Harbor Tourney last month

What paddle are you playing with?

I play with PKOLL paddles, and my favorite is the PKOLL Touch 2 with its Kevlar face.

I love how lightweight it is, allowing me to move quickly at the net. The long handle also gives me the extra reach I need during games. Ever since I started using PKOLL paddles, I haven’t switched to anything else. If you’re interested in trying them, visit PKOLL and use code NANNA10 for 10% off!

How often do you play?

I play pickleball 6-7 days a week and try to take one day off to rest—but if someone invites me to play, I just can’t say no!

What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)?

My goal is to compete in one tournament each month and ultimately win a medal at the Nationals in 2025.

This year, I competed in five tournaments:

• In August, I played in the 1st Annual Kapalua Tournament with Kelsey Edens, earning a silver medal in the 3.0 Women’s Doubles (ages 35-49).

• In September, I participated in the Hawaii State Championship and won gold medals in both the 3.0 Women’s Doubles with Kelsey Edens (ages 35-49) and the 3.0 Women’s Singles. These wins qualified me for Nationals.

• In October, I competed in the Maui Food & Wine Festival Pickleball Tournament with Lindsey King.

• In November, I traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the Lapiplasty World Pickleball Championship, where I placed 4th in the 3.0 Women’s Doubles with Kelsey Edens (ages 35-49).

• Finally, in December, I played in the Pearl Harbor Invitational with Diane Schneider and took home the gold medal in the 3.0 Women’s Doubles (under 55).

It’s been an exciting year, and I’m looking forward to achieving even more!

*Note, just last week, Nanna medaled at the Maui Pukaball Tournament, where she won the gold medal in Women’s Doubles 3.0 (Under 42) with her partner Debra Lordan.

Anything else on your mind?

I’m passionate about helping our pickleball community on Maui, especially upcountry where I live, get more permanent courts.

Right now, we have to bring our own nets and tape the lines every time we play, only to remove the tape afterward. The waste is frustrating and unnecessary—we should at least have permanent lines in place. I’d love to work on a solution to make this happen and improve the playing experience for everyone.