Kim Layton Journey
TEAM NONVØLI

Kim Layton Journey

Consistency. Challenge. Connection.

Six-time National Champion. Coach. Competitor. Mom of four.
For Kim Layton, the best parts of pickleball have always been about more than what happens on the court.

View Kim's Ambassador Profile
IT STARTED WITH HER DAD
IT STARTED WITH HER DAD

IT STARTED WITH HER DAD

Seven years ago, Kim Layton’s dad convinced her to give pickleball a try.

It started simply: a chance to spend time together. They played mixed doubles for a few years, and somewhere along the way, Kim began to wonder how far she could take her game.

That thought came after Kim won gold at her first 4.5 mixed doubles tournament. She was right.

“Hmm, maybe I could get really good at this sport.”

Today, the Calgary-based player and pro coach at Megacourts is a six-time National Champion, a NAPP and APA gold medalist, a 5.6 DUPR player and competing in her fourth season of the Canadian National Pickleball League.

But ask Kim what she loves about pickleball and the answer isn’t a list of wins. It’s the people.

A GAME THAT CONNECTS

A GAME THAT CONNECTS

“The way it connects people of various ages and backgrounds. I have friends who are in their teens and friends in their 60s and everywhere in between. I love that so much about this sport!!”

That sense of connection has been part of her experience from the beginning. After those early games with her dad, Kim found friends and drilling partners who wanted to work on their games together.

Now, as a coach, she’s on the other side of that relationship—sharing what she’s learned with players coming up behind her.

Her advice to someone new to pickleball follows the same philosophy: play and drill with lots of different people. You’ll make friends, but you’ll also become a better player by learning how to respond to different games.

THE CHALLENGE IS PART OF THE FUN

Kim is competitive. And she likes figuring things out.

Her favourite part of a tournament weekend is working through the strategy of a match with her partner—understanding how their strengths fit together and figuring out how to challenge the opponents across the net.

That appetite for challenge doesn’t stop when she leaves the court. Kim is an Ironman finisher and personal trainer who teaches bootcamp classes and continues to push herself in the gym.

"For me it speaks to consistency and discipline. Being consistent and disciplined in how I train, play and live is important to me."
THE CHALLENGE IS PART OF THE FUN
THE CHALLENGE IS PART OF THE FUN
LIFE OUTSIDE THE LINES

LIFE OUTSIDE THE LINES

For all that drive, Kim’s life isn’t organized around a tournament schedule. Her husband and four kids are her biggest priority.

Some of her favourite moments are also the simplest: painting nails with her girls, playing card games, watching her kids discover their own talents, and sitting down for family dinners whenever they can.

The Laytons are a sports family, too. Their latest experiment has been playing rugby together at a field down the street. Kim readily admits she’s the weak link.

And despite describing herself as a health nut, there are exceptions: Costco poutine and ice cream are family favourites.

Competition and family. Discipline and flexibility. Performance and everyday life.

WHY NONVØLI

“The people behind this brand are really special. I love how crisp and modern the clothing and logo are. And the chance to grow with a Canadian brand is special.”

For us, the feeling is mutual.

Kim brings credibility to the court, but it’s everything surrounding the game that makes her especially representative of what Team NONVØLI is about: showing up consistently, staying curious, respecting the people around you and continuing to find the next challenge.

WE’RE PROUD TO WELCOME KIM LAYTON TO TEAM NONVØLI.

WHY NONVØLI