Thursday Night full of Younger Pickleball Players

All four courts were full of younger pickleball players on Thursday night with people waiting to play. The other gym was full of 'Live Site' entertainment for kids. Everyone was having fun !!!!
Canada won three gold medals, three silvers and one bronze at the 2010 Olympic Games !!!!

Olympic 'Live Site' Pickleball Demo to Teens

Many young adults and teens came to play pickleball at the 'free pickleball demo' and it looks like they were having a lot of fun !!!!
Olympic 'Live Site' at ARC draws thousands of people watching the 2010 Olympic games 'live' on two huge TV screens. Canada captured a silver, a bronze and finally a gold medal.

Pickleball Canada Features Shirley's Inspirational Story

Pickleball Canada February Newsletter wrote: An inspirational Story - Last month Shirley Shepherd wrote an excellent article on the Abbey Pickleball Club. She also related an interesting and touching story of how she, her husband and son got involved in Pickleball. Her personal story is unique in that out of adversity, in her case a car accident, comes an inspirational story for all of us. Shirley’s story proves that Pickleball can be a great source of rehabilitation for serious injuries and a great family activity. Read more: http://pickleballcanada.org/news/E-newsletter_01_01_10.pdf

20,000 People See Olympic Torch in Abbotsford

ARC was packed with thousands of people for the Live Site festivities, including a free community barbecue. Dave and I drove behind the 2010 Olympic Torch on its way to ARC and we saw over 10,000 people lined up the streets cheering the Olympic Torch, incredible Olympic spirit!!!! The Olympic Torch continues its way to Abbotsford Exhibition Park. http://www.vancouversun.com/ Premier Gordon Campbell spoke to an estimated crowd of 20,000 people gathered at Abbotsford's Exhibition Park Sunday evening, leading them in a rousing cheer of 'Go Canada Go'.

Russian Figure Skaters Autographs at ARC

Mike and I got the autographs of two Russian Figure Skaters at ARC yesterday, Yuri Larionov and Vera Bazarova. It was exciting to meet two Olympic figure skaters up close in person and to speak to them!!!

Hundreds of spectators lined up outside in the cold to get a chance to see the Russian figure skaters at ARC. Yesterday the wait was half an hour, people are only allowed to view for 20 minutes if more people are waiting. They allow 150 people into the viewing room above the arena. Admission is free Feb 1 -Feb 17.

Courts All Full Thursday Night Pickleball

All four courts were full on Thursday night again with people waiting to play. There were about 35 people there. I waited for 20 minutes so I have time to shoot some videos and chat with people until Grant opened up four more courts. Two young women told me it was their first time to play pickleball. Many people stopped by to enquire about how to play this game with Grant. It was so nice to see many kids and teens having fun. Their parents told me they really enjoy it and it is better for them to play sports than to play video games which make kids overweight as statistics said 'The number of overweight children in Canada nearly tripled between 1981 and 1996. Health studies that have monitored the wellbeing of large groups of people over many years clearly show that inactivity significantly increases the risk of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases.' So playing pickleball provides enormous health benefits for seniors and children as well.

Last Chance to get Free 2010 Olympic Flags

Come to see the Japanese speed skaters and the Russian Figure skaters practising at ARC and get their autographs Feb 1 - Feb 17!!! The Olympic Torch will be passing by ARC on Feb 7 at about 4:30pm!!! Join the fun at ARC Olympic LiveSite (free pickleball demo) on Feb 12 - 28, 2010!!!