Todd Richter: Maui’s Pickleball OG and Lifelong Champion of the Game

Pickleball Spotlight: Todd Richter with his grandkids

From backyard beginnings in the 1980s to shaping Maui’s pickleball community, Todd Richter has been at the heart of the sport’s evolution on island.

Pukalani, Maui—If you’ve ever played pickleball on Maui, chances are you’ve felt Todd Richter’s influence, even if you didn’t realize it.

A lifelong tennis player, he first stumbled into pickleball in 1982 when a coworker invited him to try a “fun new game” being played on a backyard court in Makena. Just like that, Todd became one of the island’s earliest pickleball players.

Over the years, his competitive fire carried him to two Hawai‘i State Championships and eventually to representing Hawai‘i at the 2019 National Senior Games in New Mexico. But long before the medals, it was the joy of the game that kept him showing up.

For a decade, Todd served as Maui’s first, and longest-serving pickleball ambassador, helping to shape the island’s public pickleball landscape in ways still felt today. Now retired, he fills his days with the two things he loves most: pickleball and time with his grandkids.

Without further ado, please meet Todd Richter!

Todd with Laurie Loney, the original OG of Maui pickleball

Currently residing in: Pukalani, Maui.

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

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, but moved to Maui in 1975 with my parents when I was 19, (it's been home ever since), so I always say I grew up on Maui. I attended Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, graduating in 1974.

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

I was a life-long tennis player. In 1982 while working as a mower operator at Makena Golf Course, there was a girl working in the Pro Shop who knew I was a tennis player, and one day she  told me I should come to her parent's house and play this game called pickleball that they built a court in the backyard for.

She said it's kinda like tennis, so I thought you might like it. So I did go, and I did like it. Ended up playing at least once a week for about a year until they sold the house. That was back in the day when the paddles weighed like 5lbs, and had straps to wear around your wrist to keep the paddle from slipping out of your hand and knocking someone out. I knew of only one other court in Kihei back then, and only knew the 5-6 other people that would come and play at my friend's house, so I kinda consider myself a Maui pickleball OG.

Not as OG as the original Maui OG, Laurie Loney, but pretty close.

What do you love most about pickleball?

Being the life-long tennis player I was, I always enjoyed competing, playing tournaments, but getting older, realizing I'd accomplished pretty much everything I could on a tennis court and needed a new challenge. Pickleball seemed like the most logical choice as it kept me on a tennis court surface but without all the ground to cover running around.

First pickleball tournament I entered was on Kauai in 2016. I was partnered with a guy from California, Jerry Koyama, and we ended up winning Gold in the 60-64 4.5 group. Along with that, I've won two Hawaii State Championships, qualified for and represented Hawaii in the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I've stop playing tournaments. Now I just play for exercise, and because it's fun. What I like most about pickleball is because it's fun.

How often do you play?

Kinda varies how often I play but on average, 2-3 times a week.

What paddle are you using, and what do you like about it?

Still using my trusty Joola Hyperion I've had for like five years. I'm an all-around player, I bang, I dink, I hit safe shots, I hit risky shots. What I like about my paddle is I can do all those things. I'm pretty good at hitting sharp angled shots and I've always loved the amount of spin I can generate with my Joola.

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

Up until a couple months ago I was Maui's first and longest serving pickleball Ambassador.

After 10 years, I just decided it was time for some new blood and new energy so I resigned. At the same time I was employed in the Maui County Dept. of Parks and Recreation. I can't and never will claim full credit, but as I was the only person in the Department who had ever played or even heard of pickleball, I like to think that I played a pretty significant role in getting every public playing location established on Maui.

I've always been a behind the scenes guy, and my intention is to continue behind the scenes doing what I can to get pickleball more attention for more and better public courts on Maui. I've sent literally dozens of novel length emails to County Council members, parks related Council Committees, and even straight to the Budget Directors office urging action.

From where my pickleball journey started playing with the same small group of players because there was literally no one else playing, to seeing huge entries at tournaments, and the public courts packed with players, I'm pretty proud to have contributed to the amazing growth.

What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, volunteerism, school, etc.)?

Outside of pickleball, I lead a pretty normal retired life, doing what I like, when I like, and most of that is hanging out with my grandkids. I have three, two boys, ages 18 and 12, and a girl age 9 with another girl due in February. Perfect, two boys, two girls, pau, enough already.