Meet Chris Powers
Five-time National Gold Medal Pickleball Champion
A local of Aiken, South Carolina and legend of both the tennis and equestrian worlds, Chris Powers is reaching for more. Within the sport of pickleball, Powers now holds the top spot among women in her age category in mixed doubles. As if that distinction weren’t enough, she is a five-time National gold medal champion and holds three silver medals. Competing across the country, Powers has won over 200 awards in the few years she has been competing, but it’s more than the accolades that keep Powers on the court. “It really grabs at my heartstrings,” Chris begins.
“It’s the number one growing sport in the country. The wonderful thing about pickleball is that anyone can play it,” says Powers. “You could be five years old playing with your grandmother, and you’re all going to have a great time,” she continues.
When she’s not competing on the court, Chris stays busy on Two Sisters Farm, where she conducts lessons and camps. Named in honor of her sister, Jeanie, who passed away from brain and breast cancer, their dream was to own a horse farm together one day. With her sister’s memory tethered to her, Powers runs free pickleball retreats for women diagnosed with cancer through her organization, Women Beyond Cancer. “The amazing thing is that there aren’t many tears. Because we don’t have an agenda, the sky’s the limit,” remarks Chris.
An inclusive sport by nature, Chris prides herself on the friendly camaraderie you can find on any pickleball court across America. “You can pick it up and be having a blast and laughing within twenty minutes,” she says with an infectious grin. To keep in touch with Chris, follow her tournaments, and learn more about her lessons and retreats, follow along with her on Facebook on her page, ‘Aiken Pickleball Pro Chris Powers.’ With world-renowned talent and a personality as kind as it is driven, we’re lucky to have Chris Powers so close to home.
