Tristan Simmons Helps UH Pickleball Earn Nationals Bid

From local courts to the national collegiate championships

Honolulu—I first met Tristan Simmons through University of Hawai‘i Pickleball Club President Conner Koga, who mentioned something that made me laugh…Tristan had actually been my son’s classmate! Small island moment aside, the timing of his feature couldn’t be better.

A 2022 Punahou graduate, Tristan now attends the University of Hawai‘i, where he competes on the UH Pickleball Club team. He returned just yesterday from the California Super Regional, where the team captured bronze and secured a bid to the National Collegiate Championships.

These days, Tristan loves the strategic side of pickleball—the constant problem-solving and variety of skills it takes to compete. And while he enjoys high-level matches, he’s just as happy helping beginners learn new shots or refine their technique.

Without further ado, please meet Tristan Simmons!

Where do you currently reside, and where do you play?

I live in Alewa Heights and basically only play at Forte.

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

I discovered pickleball when my mom read about it in a local magazine and we went to an open play to try it.

What do you love most about pickleball?

I like that it makes me think and problem-solve a lot, and it has a wide variety of different skills and abilities that you need.

What paddle are you playing with right now?

Joola 4 Perseus 16mm.

Anything you’d like the HPM community to know about you?

I like playing high competition games, but I also really enjoy playing with and teaching beginners new shots or improving their technique. I tend to enjoy the learning and teaching aspect of pickleball as much as the actual playing.

Action shots of Tristan, competing on behalf of the University of Hawai‘i Pickleball Club, at the California Super Regional Tournament (March 7-8, 2026)