10 Sports That Start With P (Origin and Where Each Is Played)

Sports come in all shapes and sizes. Some sports are on land, and others are on water. There are also sports that require using all your strength and endurance. Ultimately, it is the battle of perseverance.

Playing these sports comes with a lot of advantages. Mainly, you get healthier and happier. But they also are fun to watch. Some of the sports you will see on this list are very popular. A few have skyrocketed in popularity.

The sports that start with P come in all shapes and sizes, and some are incredibly popular with the public. We will also look at where they are played and what makes them so fascinating. With that said, strap on in as we explore 10 sports that start with P.

10. Paddleboarding

States like California and Hawaii probably have the most popularity when it comes to water sports. Paddleboarding is very popular in these states. Often, you will see a paddleboarding rowing along the water and trying to catch a wave along with surfers. Thomas Edward Blake designed what many believe is the first paddleboard back in 1926.

Statista revealed that 3.78 million people did some paddleboarding in 2022. That’s an amazing stat, considering that not everyone has access to bodies of water near them. The sport has grown so much over the years. It is one of the sports that start with P that is quickly becoming immensely popular.

9. Padel

Enrique Corcuera created padel in 1969 in Mexico. He wanted to create a sport that was a simpler version of tennis. The courts are slightly smaller. Furthermore, the balls are smaller and lighter. You need to have much faster reflexes to play Padel because the court is so much smaller.

The United States Padel Association highlights all the happenings in the sport. They also feature current players and offer information about the next matches. Padel is one of the sports that start with P that is fun to watch and even more exciting to play.

8. Paddleball

You need a racquet to play paddle ball. It has some similarities to padel and tennis. It even follows the same scoring as tennis. There is another game that has a similar name that involves hitting a wall. In this case, you are using a court, similar to pickleball.

There is no net used when playing paddle ball. Instead, you play within a boxed area on the courts. Ultimately, paddle ball is one of the sports like P that is for quick-thinking individuals who want a new challenge.

7. Paintball

This is an incredibly fun game to play. You are with your friends. Then, you are working together with them to take down another team. That same team is trying to take you down. You have to be fast physically and mentally. It will test your endurance, your intelligence, and deductive skills.

Paintball first started around 1981. Many people have tried it over the many decades and enjoyed the strategy. While the game does involve shooting your opponents with paint, it is generally safe. If you are playing paintball, you can still have a fun time while taking appropriate precautions when shooting at your opponents.

People who play usually wear tactical gear, such as long-sleeved shirts and helmets, to protect themselves from fast-shooting paint, which could blind a person. Paintball is one of the sports that start with P that anyone can play and enjoy. It gives you great exercise and memories to last.

6. Paleta Fronton

Peruvians created Paleta Fronton in 1945. This game mixes elements of squash and handball. You play on an open court and compete with others (likely one or two) who are attempting to do the same thing. The goal is repetition and consistency.

The sport made its first appearance at any competition when it debuted in the 2019 Pan American Games. It is not a popular sport around the world. But it is growing, and there may be a future for it.

5. Parachuting

There are two general kinds of parachuting. One involves jumping out of an airplane. The other involves jumping off an incredibly high elevated point (think a very tall building) and descending to the ground at varying speeds. The parachute ideally protects you. However, this sport is still dangerous. Many have died parachuting. Thus, you must always take precautions.

Parachuting allegedly goes back to the Renaissance Era. There were numerous attempts (and failures) to create a parachute that could take someone from a high spot down to the lowest levels. It was not until the 1500s that Fausto Veranzio created a parachute that may be safe to use. Parachutes have gone through many transformations over the centuries. It is one of the most dangerous and exciting sports that starts with P.

4. Paragliding

Speaking of dangerous sports, let’s talk about paragliding. Paragliding is different from parachuting in that you are usually getting a running start. Once you have built momentum, you usually take off like an airplane. The chute is tied to your back and allows you to deploy once you have built traction.

Paragliding is dangerous, like parachuting. But it is still fun. Domina Jalbert created the extreme sport in 1966. People usually paraglide off large cliffs or ridges. There is always the element of danger. But there is also a soft landing that the paraglider usually allows. If you do it correctly, it can be a fun ride as you take in all the beautiful views.

3. Parkour

Parkour involves jumping from point A to point B successfully. It has grown in popularity over the years, especially with younger people. When you are getting to different points, the goal is to get there as fast as possible without a slip. It can also involve many tricks and handstands.

Parkour emerged in the 1990s. The Peking Opera School teaches it and has taught famous movie stars like Jackie Chan. It is very important with stunt doubles. While it is not an officially recognized sport yet, it is still one of the more exciting sports that start with P.

2. Pelota

Basque pelota is the official name. It is another racquet game that involves hitting a ball against a wall. It is a national sport in Venezuela. It is usually a 2v2 game. You score points by bouncing the ball off the wall hard enough that your opponent cannot hit it after it bounces more than once. Additionally, you can also play it well enough to make the ball difficult to play.

The game has been around since the 13th century. It has evolved over time and is one of the oldest sports that start with P.

1. Pickleball

If you are looking for the sport that exploded the most since 2020, pickleball is your answer. People play pickleball all the time now. You will often find people packing the tennis courts to play this game. Some people have even gone as far as creating a pickleball court on a basketball court because the tennis courts got full.

It especially exploded in popularity during the pandemic. It went from a sport that older people play to one that everyone plays. It is probably the most popular sport that starts with P and is growing in popularity every year.

Summary of The 10 Sports That Start With P (Origin and Where Each Is Played)

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Drazen Zigic/ via Getty Images