Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pickleball Canada Ambassador Peachland, B.C.

Peachland Pickleball News

The little town of Peachland is really BIG on Pickleball. We have over 40 members who play at various times. There are four courts available and we have recently implemented a Fair Rotation/Participation System which seems to work when there are players waiting.

Through the Peachland Recreation Centre, there have been three beginner clinics, and one advanced clinic in October and one more scheduled on December 5th. More beginner and advanced clinics are being planned for the new year as follows:

Beginners’ Clinic: Monday, January 9, 2012 from 1 to 2:30;
Advanced Clinic: Monday, January 23, 2012 from 1 to 2:30.

Registration may be done through the Peachland Recreation Department by calling 250-767-2133. These clinics are definitely worthwhile and the cost is only $5.00. Space is limited to 16 per clinic. As these clinics fill up quickly, please sign up ahead of time to ensure your spot on the courts.

Maria Dagis
Peachland Pickleball Canada Ambassador

Monday, November 21, 2011

Pickleball Canada Ambassador Victoria, B.C.

From Greater Victoria:
In addition to all the regular places and times to play, some local centres have increased their availability.

The George Pearkes Arena Field House (behind Tillicum Mall in Victoria) added a second session. Their Pickleball times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 100-300pm with four courts and usually intermediate to higher level participants, although beginners are always welcome. In fact some picklers from Ladysmith came down for a change of venue and said it was loads of fun and a great facility for PB.

Brentwood Community Hall in Brentwood Bay expanded its times to include Sunday afternoon during the summer months whereas the locals usually play outside during that time. It seems that some picklers just like an indoors venue - which is close to facilities if you know what I mean - and BCH is well suited with its "Wimbledon" green walls and good lighting. The hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 100-300pm-ish. And it accommodates some very skilled picklers!

Saanich Commonwealth Pool Gym with its two indoor courts added a Thursday evening to its lineup: Monday & Friday 100-300pm, Thursday evening 7-9pm... And it offers a free one hour skill session every Saturday morning from 8-9am!

Another option for pickleball are the two courts at the Esquimalt Rec Centre: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 115-315pm.

Around town outdoor tennis facilities are being double-lined for pickleball. Recently the courts at Carnarvon near the Oak Bay border have been adapted and a local tennis coach gave a free demo to fourteen tennis instructors. How cool is that!

Well the temperature has plummeted to ten degrees so that means half the retirees on the island are off down south and that includes many local pickleball enthusiasts. Sooo... if you know someone who wants to learn now is the time as most of our courts are open to just about anyone wanting to hit a plastic ball over a net with a large paddle. See you on the other side of a net...

Len Taal
Pickleball Canada Ambassador
BC Seniors Games Zone 1 Pickleball Coordinator

Thursday, November 17, 2011

2012 Pickleball Canada National Championship July 7-8, 2012

Great News !!!
2012 Pickleball Canada National Championship will be held on July 7 - 8, 2012, hosted by Abbotsford Recreation Centre, 2499 McMillan Road, Abbotsford, B.C. The 2012 Pickleball Canada National Championship will be open to all players including USA. There will be open (singles and doubles), 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+, under 55 in mixed, mens and womens doubles divisions. Full information will be on the registration form which will be printed soon. It will be posted on our websites, blogs and newsletters.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

2011 USAPA National Tournament, Buckeye, AZ

http://usapa.org/ 2011 2011 USAPA National Tournament
11/07/11 - 11/14/11 Sun City Festival, Buckeye, AZ
Over 400 players competed in 50 Divisions of Open, Age 19+, 35+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+, 80+ and Juniors in Mixed, Mens and Womens Singles and Doubles.
Congratulations to our local player: Carol Haworth, Pickleball Canada Abbotsford/Chilliwack Ambassador for winning a bronze medal in the 70+ Womens Doubles !!!

Congratulations to Beverley Butt, Pickleball Canada Rules Chair for winning a Bronze medal in Mixed Doubles 70+ !!! Pickleball Canada President Colin Caldwell from Cloverdale and Dave Touchet from South Surrey also competed in the men's doubles 60+. Although they didn't win a medal, they held their own, winning 3 sets until they were eliminated. Mark Friedenberg (creator of pro-lite paddles) & Alan Christiansen (creator of Spikes/ZZ2 paddles) eventually won the division. Mark Friedenberg won two Golds and one Bronze medal. Congratulations to Earl Hill who won a Gold medal.

Steve Wong (creator of S-type paddles) won 4 silvers in many different categories including the 19+ mens singles.

University of the Fraser Valley - Pickleball Program

UFV Pickleball: Thursday 4 -5 pm
Pickleball University by Grant Brittain:
Last week I had the great opportunity to attend a Pickleball session at our local University, or UFV. I didn't even know that a pickleball group existed there until I was invited to bring some paddles and balls to their group by their pickleball promoter: Bill Neudorff. Bill had mentioned that they usually average 8-12 players for their 1 hour session comprised of Faculty, staff, and students. Either there was a news that an outsider was attending, or they were new people excited about pickleball ( I choose the latter) there were 25-30 pickleballers in attendance. After giving some correction to their net heights, and some mistaken rules, I was able to give some instruction to this great group of players. The gym coordinator was overjoyed at the response, and even played along for the games, and was excited for the new outlet and sport to be offered at UFV. The students have a UPASS that allows them to use any rec center in Abbotsford free, and invited them to our nightly pickleball sessions to further their game. They play Thursdays from 4-5 pm in the gym, but according to the gym coordinator they are looking at extending the time.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

USA, Ontario New Players at ARC

All 8 courts were busy with about 40 players, some waiting to play. Many new players including international and national players: Ron and Vi from Lynden, Wa., Wendy and Greg from Ontario. Greg and I had a long close game against Ron and Bill. Excellent players Ron and Vi won a game against Nigel and me. Remember a code of conduct: Be a Good Sport – Win with Modesty and Lose with Dignity.

Grant has some colorful new paddles (ProLite, Predstor, Kryptonite) for sale, great selection and prices!!!

At snack time about 30 players enjoyed red grapes and homemade cookies. Thanks to Jean and Mel for contributing to our fun social get together. We chat about everything from pickleball, politics to health topics which we can learn something from each other. Thanks also to Vi who brought some delicious donuts which we all enjoyed.

Monday, November 7, 2011

S. Delta, Ladner, Richmond New PB Schedule

South Delta, Ladner, Richmond new Pickleball schedule by Pickleball Canada Area Ambassador Peter Darvill:
There has been a change in the schedule below for Sundays at South Delta RC. It is now 1:30 to 3 pm , no longer 3:30 start.

As well please note that on Wednesday November 9th, PBall will be played at the Richmond Olympic Oval, from 10 to 12 noon. The cost is a little high at $10. Please let me know if you want to attend.

Finally we had an impromptu outdoor session at Cromie Park on Saturday. Who says you have to be in Palm Springs in November to play outdoor PBall!!! It was quite comfortable in Ladner! If we get a nice day, we will try it again.
And don't forget the Christmas Eve PBall event will be held at 2 pm Dec. 24th outdoors @ Cromie Park. Santa has promised a nice day and I'm bringing the beer to toast him!

My PBall list is building slowly... but surely. We should have an "Olympic" event soon....
Please be reminded the Schedule from now on....

Sundays Richmond Thompson CC from 1 to 4pm
SDRC from 1:30 to 3:00pm

Mondays and Wednesdays SDRC from 12:30 to 3 pm

Tuesday and Thursday LadnerCC fro 3 to 5 pm.

See you there!
P.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Volunteer Instructors for New Players Wanted

Volunteer instructors for New players wanted !!! As we are getting more new pickleball players, we need more volunteer instructors to teach new players.

Veteran players are encouraged to teach the newcomers to let them feel welcome so they will stay around longer to learn the game. It takes at least half an hour to several hours to teach new players the basics of the game: serving, scoring, non-volley zone, two bounce rule, etc.

Please contact Shirley if you are interested. We can set up a court for teaching new players and have at least two volunteers, each volunteer will teach one hour in the two hours session on a weekly or monthly basis. Your help to teach new players will be much appreciated !!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

20 New Pickleball Players This Week

All 8 courts were full of players on Tuesday afternoon, four new players: Tina, John, Margaret and her husband. Grant taught them for an hour and they pretty well know how to play the game afterwards. Later Mandy and I played a couple of games with Tina and Margaret and they really enjoyed it. Thanks to George and Claire for bringing the fresh red grapes and cookies, enjoyed by about 25 players.

Tuesday evening was full of mostly energetic younger players: Nathan, two Mike, Matt, two Warrens, 5 new players. Grant brought more new players from his church and introduced them to the game.

Wednesday's New to Pickleball was all full of players, at least 5 new players. Catherine and Allan were very busy teaching them.

Thursday afternoon was full with about 36 players, some waiting time to play, at least four new players: Wendy and Greg from Toronto visiting her mom Henrietta, Wendy is in Yoga apparel business and she will attend a trade show next week in Vancouver. A new line of her products is bamboo socks that made from bamboo, are naturally antibacterial, so they don't smell, interesting !!! About 20 players enjoyed some snacks and coffee. Tom bought 4 dozens of brown eggs from Al who has a hobby farm.
At night four courts were full of players. Mike and I taught new players Robert and Victor. Robert is a CGA, Victor is a real estate agent, so they can only play in the evenings.