Stay out of The Kitchen! … and Win the Ultimate Pickleball Getaway from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater 

Sweepstakes in partnership with Pickleball in the Sun and Pickleball Central to launch on National Plan for Vacation Day with exciting online trip giveaway 

St. Pete/Clearwater, Fla., — In celebration of National Plan for Vacation Day, a day to remind us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year, Visit St. Pete / Clearwater has partnered with Pickleball in the Sun, Pickleball Central and TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort to give travel enthusiasts and avid pickleballers the opportunity to score the ultimate vacation and pickleball escape, all while prioritizing self-care and relaxation in St. Pete/Clearwater, home to America's Best Beaches.

Strategically held in tandem with National Plan for Vacation Day, the Pickleball in the Sun Getaway to St. Pete Beach will highlight the Florida Gulf coast area's exciting pickleball offerings, endless rays of sunshine, family fun and superb dining scene, positioning it as a leading pickleball destination. Travelers and pickleball fans are invited to enter for the chance to win round trip airfare for four to the destination, a three-night stay at Island Grand, a TradeWinds Beach Resort which boasts three brand-new pickleball courts, four limited-edition Pickleball in the Sun paddles, and a $500 gift certificate to PickleballCentral.com, the largest online pickleball retailer. 

According to a 2023 Trust for Public Land (TPL) study, the City of St. Pete is among the top five municipalities in the U.S. for pickleball courts per capita. The pro-parks study showed that St. Pete features 19.6 courts per 100,000 residents, the second most in the nation. 

“It's no secret that pickleball is all the rage across the nation – but, it has a strong presence right here in St. Pete/Clearwater,” said Brian Lowack, President/CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “We are proud to continue to develop our thriving sports and cultural community and bring access to the destination's existing and developing courts and athletic fields. By teaming up with experts like Pickleball in the Sun and Pickleball Central on this special giveaway, we want to give visitors a reminder to plan their travel to St. Pete/Clearwater in 2024 as a must-visit destination for pickleball aficionados and avid sports travel enthusiasts alike.”

In addition to 361 days of sunshine, “The Sunshine City” boasts an amazing parks system. St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation has been ranked Florida's Best and 15th in the country by TPL, making it the ideal destination for outdoor activities. With 35 miles of sugar-sand beaches and clear blue-green waters, beachgoers of every age will find plenty to love at St. Pete/Clearwater family-friendly beaches with amenities for all.

"For the nearly 50 million pickleball enthusiasts in the United States, pickleball vacations are a highly coveted experience when selecting their destination," stated Laura Gainor, Founder & CEO of Pickleball in the Sun. "We have designated the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort as a "Premier Pickleball in the Sun Destination" as it offers a tropical retreat with activities perfectly tailored for the multi-generational community that values creating lasting memories together. We  are honored to collaborate with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, and Pickleball Central for this giveaway, aimed at bringing awareness to pickleball enthusiasts worldwide about this extraordinary pickleball escape." 

"We are proud to join the Pickleball in the Sun Getaway campaign in collaboration with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Pickleball in the Sun, and TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort, as we all collectively strive to enhance the pickleball experience," said Michael Brown, CEO of Pickleball Central. "We're excited to contribute a $500 gift certificate for the lucky winner to access premium pickleball gear, elevating their pickleball escape." 

Additionally, VSPC has teamed up with TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort to feature its beachfront property as part of the sweepstakes grand prize. Located directly on the sugary white sands of the Gulf of Mexico on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Resorts boasts of 40 acres of limitless beachfront recreation, sumptuous dining, and many exciting family activities, such as their unique three-story High Tide Slide and dual-line zipline on the beach. 

The online sweepstakes, which can be exclusively entered online, is open January 30, 2024, through February 28, 2024. The rules are simple: each participant is allowed one online entry per person to win one trip to St. Pete/Clearwater for four people. Bonus entries can be obtained by following Pickleball Central, Pickleball in the Sun, TradeWinds Resorts & VSPC on social media. Round-trip airfare for up to four (4) people is included, three-night quad-occupancy hotel accommodations at TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort, four Limited-Edition Pickleball in the Sun paddles, and a $500 gift certificate to PickleballCentral.com.  

To enter the sweepstakes, go to pickleballinthesun.com/stpetegetaway! For more information on hotels, attractions, itineraries, and to begin planning your vacation to America's Best Beaches visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.     

Media Contact: Jason Latimer, Jason.latimer@visitspc.com, 727-386-3783

About Visit St. Pete/Clearwater  

Situated on a sun-drenched peninsula on Florida's west coast, separating the Gulf of Mexico from Tampa Bay, St. Pete/Clearwater offers world-class cultural experiences along with 35 miles of spectacular white-sand beaches that are annually ranked among the world's best. Experience our picturesque Gulf sunsets and go beyond the beaches to explore our unique cultural heritage, plentiful interactive art displays, numerous sporting and recreational activities, fresh seafood and burgeoning culinary scene, great local shopping - and, of course, pickleball. Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is your only destination with award-winning beaches complimented by world-renowned museums, family fun and endless sunshine. #LetsShineSPC

About Pickleball in the Sun

Pickleball in the Sun is a premier lifestyle brand and experiential pickleball marketing agency dedicated to curating and promoting the finest pickleball experiences and destinations. Pickleball in the Sun strives to elevate the pickleball lifestyle by connecting players with exceptional venues and creating unforgettable moments on and off the court. Through strategic partnership with renowned resorts, organizations, and brands, Pickleball in the Sun has become synonymous with quality, adventure, and community within the dynamic world of pickleball. Be a part of the Pickleball in the Sun lifestyle by visiting PickleballintheSun.com and following @PickleballintheSun on social media. 

About Pickleball Central

Pickleball Central, your Trusted Pickleball experts, is the world's largest online pickleball retailer. With a mission to grow and support the sport, Pickleball Central offers an extensive selection of gear, equipment, and accessories. Beyond retail, the brand fosters the pickleball community and strives to share the joy and camaraderie that defines the sport. Find informative pickleball drilling, tips, strategy, and gear reviews on YouTube, on the blog and other Pickleball Central social channels.

About TradeWinds Island Resorts

The TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort is located directly on the sugary white sands of the Gulf of Mexico on St. Pete Beach in Florida. TradeWinds Island Grand guests share amenities with its neighboring sister property – RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds - offering access to two properties in one, with limitless beachfront recreation, sumptuous dining and fantastic family activities and programs. Offerings include a three-story High Tide Slide on the beach, the Zing Ray Zip line on the beach, Triple Wipeout Surf Simulator, Floating Water Park, RedBeard the Pirate Show, weekly magic show, paddle boats, aquarium touch tank, mini golf, nightly S'mores on the beach, multiple swimming pools, an on-site kid's club and a plethora of daily programming that includes pool games, dive-in movies, crafts and much more. Recent additions include three brand-new pickleball courts and the Sunsetter Game Zone area complete with ping pong, foosball, giant Jenga and mega Connect-4. JustLetGo.com