Smiley Riley: From Heartbreak to Pickleball Heroine
You might know her as Smiley Riley, the energetic coach with a contagious laugh and a paddle always within reach. But behind the grin is a story that started on a humble court, moved through heartbreak, and somehow ended up on a yacht in the Adriatic.
Riley Palmer didn’t set out to become a pickleball coach. Like many of us, she stumbled onto a court in 2019 with zero expectations: a few friends, some wooden paddles, and a lot of laughs.
“None of us had a clue what we were doing,” she says. “But something clicked.”
The energy, the ease, and the fun kept her coming back.
Riley Palmer aka Smiley Riley Pickleball
At the time, Riley was navigating a life-altering divorce after 21 years of marriage and raising three daughters. Pickleball quickly became her routine, her outlet; the one thing that felt steady when everything else didn’t.
“I’d return to the courts alone, not knowing that this community would become a sanctuary,” she says.
The warmth of the players, the camaraderie, and her drive to improve led her to take her first lesson. Like many of us who catch the bug, she was hooked.
From Student to Coach to Global Pickleball Connector
What started as an escape became purpose. Riley dove into drilling, tournament play, and eventually coaching. Fast forward a few years, and she’s taught more than 3,300 students across the U.S., from newlyweds to octogenarians, from rec players to aspiring pros.
Smiley Riley discusses with a local Arizona news station the tremendous growth of pickleball.
Whether she’s coaching at JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix or hosting her own clinics, Riley keeps her philosophy simple: pickleball is about people.
“I’ve laughed with couples celebrating anniversaries, hugged students battling addiction, and wiped tears with players working through grief,” she says. “The paddle is just the invitation.”
Floating Courts and European Joyrides
For most of us, a dream pickleball getaway might mean a weekend tournament or destination camp. For Smiley Riley, it means a yacht, in Croatia or Greece, with floating courts, paddleboard warmups, gourmet meals, and plenty of dancing under the stars.
Riley teaching a group of youth.
Riley now leads luxury pickleball retreats in Europe, offering unforgettable experiences that blend travel and play. These trips welcome all skill levels and focus less on drills and more on the joy of the game, and the community that forms around it.
From curating pairs and playlights to mapping out daily excursions, Riley personally handles it all.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” she says, “but when we’re dancing on the deck after a sunset match or laughing during a paddleboard warm-up, it all makes sense.”
If you’re looking for pickleball in Croatia, this is your sign. Riley’s probably already planning the next one.
The Mission Behind the Paddle
Smiley Riley’s coaching isn’t just about improving technique; it’s about transformation. Through her growing platform on Instagram and TikTok, she shares a blend of coaching tips, retreat moments, and the joy that keeps people coming back to the court.
Her website serves as a hub for info on upcoming retreat dates, clinics info, and events; but it’s the storytelling, energy, and openness that keep people coming back.
“Pickleball gave me joy during the hardest chapter of my life,” she says. “Now, I get to share that joy with thousands of others.”
So next time you’re feeling stuck or just need a reason to smile, think of Smiley Riley. She’s probably serving up joy in flip-flops on a yacht somewhere in the Adriatic, reminding us that connection and fun will always win.
