Erica Gonzalez
Team ONIX player Erica Gonzalez started playing the sport of pickleball when she moved to a 55+ year old community in the sunny state of Florida. She had played tennis for more than 40 years and was ready to try out something new. From that moment, she was hooked on pickleball and immediately put down her tennis rackets for good to continue with pickleball instead.
She noted that pickleball was an opportunity to be continually challenged but also was a lot of fun to play. She felt the sport of pickleball offered a very welcoming environment and community. Erica has now been playing pickleball for almost 10 years and she teaches the sport part-time and plays an average of around 10 tournaments every year. Erica is originally from Puerto Rico but has lived in many different places around the United States, including Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio, and now Florida for the past 11 years. She is a proud member of the Solivita Smashers Pickleball Club in Kissimmee, Florida. Her favorite athlete is Martina Navratilova.
Erica currently plays with the Evoke Premier Pro Raw Carbon Fiber 14mm pickleball paddle from ONIX. She likes it for its elongated handle, the great power it produces, and its ability to spin while controlling all of her shots. Her must-have ONIX bag is the Pro Team Paddle Bag so she can carry her playing and teaching paddles, hat, and snacks to the pickleball courts. She also has the ONIX sweat wristbands in every color (green, pink, black, blue, orange, and white) in there, too. As an instructor, Erica uses the Dura Fast 40 pickleball balls and packs them up in one of ONIX’s portable pickleball carts.
Erica explains, “I also use the Evoke Premier 16mm paddle when teaching for ultimate shot absorption and control. I value ONIX equipment for the quality of construction, its extreme durability as well as the value I get for the money spent.”
Erica always has goals for herself when it comes to pickleball. She always wants to improve herself mentally and learn to be more consistent when she is on the court. Her overall goal is to continue playing and teaching pickleball as long as she can. She wants to continue to help others improve their game while sharing her love of the sport with athletes of all ages and abilities.
Erica enjoys playing pickleball for so many reasons. She believes it is great for both mental and physical health. She noted that it is always challenging her each time she steps on the pickleball court, and that there are sure to be some laughs along the way for her.
Erica has earned more than 100 medals in pickleball competitions, including getting the Gold at the National Senior Games, the US Open of Pickleball, and the Huntsman Senior Games. She has been presented a Humana Game Changer award, recognized by the Florida Special Olympics Organization for Pickleball Coaching. Erica has also served as a Humana National Senior Games Ambassador.
We are proud and thankful to Erica for being a proud member of Team ONIX.
