Vikings Invade Daytona: Our First PPA Adventure
It was a big day of mixed doubles battles, and an even bigger day for Valhalla Pickleball, as we set sail for the Carvana PPA Event at Pictona Hills in Daytona Beach, Florida. The mission: capture photos, meet players and fans, and spread a little Viking spirit across the courts.
The Voyage Begins
I’ll admit, mornings are not my strong suit. A dawn raid, this was not. After wrestling myself awake, I loaded my gear and began the journey north: from the Treasure Coast, through the Space Coast, and finally landing on Florida’s First Coast.
It was my first professional pickleball event, and I had no idea what to expect. Would I meet new “Vikings”? Get the shots I wanted? Maybe bump into a few legends of the court? My fellow Viking brother Rich Henrich would be meeting me there, and with him along for the journey, I knew adventure wasn’t far behind.
The Gods Smile on the Prepared
The night before had been the usual pre-battle ritual; juggling camera gear, pickleball paddles, batteries, cables, and second-guessing everything at least ten times (thanks, OCD). When I finally arrived around 10 a.m., I had no clue where to park.
After circling like a lost longship and watching the first overflow lot fill up, the Gods smiled upon me: the parking attendant waved me through without payment. Huzzah! Victory before even entering the gates.
Inside, the buzz was undeniable. As I approached the registration table, I casually asked about photography rules. “None that I’m aware of,” the woman said. Moments later, when her payment system glitched, she shrugged and handed me a wristband. “If it’s not gonna take your money, I’m not gonna charge you.”
Two blessings before noon. The day was off to a mythical start.
The First Arena
Walking into the Championship Court felt electric, like stepping into a coliseum where the modern Vikings of pickleball do battle. The air pulsed with anticipation. Some fans sat calmly, as if this were just another day at the courts, but others… their faces said it all. They were there for the show.
On the court stood Jonny Pickleball, a name even I knew. I snapped a few shots before heading off to explore the rest of Pictona.
The Field of Battle
I finally tracked down Rich near the massive covered court complex, where Jessie Irvine and Riley Newman were battling through a fierce mixed doubles match. Seeing that level of play up close was jaw-dropping. The precision, the reflexes — it felt almost supernatural.
It was like watching gods spar — the dink and smash of lightning and thunder. Every rally was a clash of wills, every point earned with strategy and steel-like focus. Around every corner, more duels raged on. I couldn’t decide where to look.
That’s when it hit me: this was the sport at its highest form. What I play casually back home, this was something else entirely. It wasn’t just pickleball anymore. It was art, war, and dance rolled into one.
The Peoples’ Champion
By afternoon, we returned to the Championship Court. My mission was clear: witness Tyson McGuffin, the most electrifying man in pickleball. And he didn’t disappoint. Tyson was in full form — passionate, intense, engaging with the crowd, signing autographs, bringing that warrior energy that makes him a fan favorite everywhere he goes.
Then, in true epic fashion, the lights went out mid-match during his semifinal with Catherine Parenteau against Vivianne David and Thomas Wilson. The entire arena fell silent for a moment — and then the lights flickered back to life, the crowd erupting as the players replayed the point.
Seconds later, a rogue prop started tipping near McGuffin’s corner. Instinct kicked in — I lunged and caught it before it crashed. Crisis averted. A few seconds later, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“Sir, do you have media credentials?”
“Media credentials?” I grinned. “Didn’t know Vikings needed credentials.”
Probably a good time to pack up.
The Hype Arrives
No Viking raid is complete without its bards — and that’s when I met Night Hawk and Dragon, better known as The Hype Guys. These two are pure energy — the heart of PPA’s crowd engagement team. Between games, they had the stands laughing, cheering, and dancing like maniacs.
I told Erik Iverson (aka Night Hawk) about my quest to bring more Viking spirit into pickleball, and he was all in. Maybe next time you’ll see them at an event, carrying the Valhalla banner right beside us.
A Legendary Day
As the sun dipped and the battles wrapped up, I found myself replaying every rally in my head. I’d seen the best players in the world, captured moments that felt larger than life, and met new allies in this growing pickleball saga.
Daytona was more than a tournament — it was a reminder of why I started Valhalla Pickleball in the first place. The camaraderie, the spirit, the energy — it’s all part of the same story. The Viking spirit isn’t about the past. It’s alive on every court, in every player who swings their paddle like it’s forged for glory.
Til next time, Daytona.
Til Valhalla.