![Take a Glimpse at Pickleball in the 1970s](/content/images/size/w1198h576/2023/01/70s-3.jpg)
Sonoma County, California apparently has a long history of pickleball.
Photographer Jim Johnson recently published a collection of images from the 1970s sent to him from local picklefan Robert Phillips cataloging his experience at “Sonoma Mountain Pickleball Camp."
We’re reaching out for more details; but in the meantime, check out these priceless images:
![](https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/content/images/2023/01/Pickle-ball-rwp-7-X2--1-.jpg)
The big hair, the (very) short shorts & striped white athletic socks...we can practically hear The Doobie Brothers playing!
And check out the form of that guy in green, clearly defending a smash.
![](https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/content/images/2023/01/Pickle-ball-rwp-7-2-M.jpg)
Some more solid 1970s athletic fashion. The gloved paddle hand means he's serious!
![](https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/content/images/2023/01/Pickle-ball-RWP-2-M.jpg)
Is this the wind-up to a serve? I spy a ball in hand, but it looks like he already hit one. Either way, it probably wouldn't pass the current regulations surrounding serves.
![](https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/content/images/2023/01/Pickle-ball-rwp-3-M--1-.jpg)
Something we're pretty impressed by is the well-lit outdoor court. Fifty-plus years later, we're still having trouble nailing that down in some areas.
![](https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/content/images/2023/01/i-2JmBwcx-L.jpg)
Finally, the equipment. We've come a long way from wooden paddle technology, but I have to imagine the extra weight on this one led to some seriously-fast put aways...if the player's arm muscles were developed enough.
And good to see that "pickleball green" has always been a thing! Though we're glad they eventually dropped the hyphen.