Voila le Pickleball

Voila le Pickleball!!!   USAPA 2013 August newsletter.  Submitted by Arlene Knudsen:

When Ken and Mimi Knudsen moved to France last year, they took clothes, photographs, books and their pickleball paddles. As Ken’s mother, I had introduced the couple to the game of pickleball and supplied the basic equipment. “One of the first things we did when we got to Lauzun was to join the tennis club,” Ken said. “Since we live just a short walk from the courts, we can play pickleball whenever there was a break in the rain.”

In addition to two outdoor courts, Lauzun Tennis Club members can use an indoor court in the Salle de Fêtes, but it must be scheduled through the village town hall, with consideration to the other groups that use the building. The courts are marked, but Ken usually adds a kitchen line with masking tape.
It wasn’t long before Ken and Mimi’s new friends, both French and British, joined in the game. “Some of our friends had played tennis or badminton before, but others had never picked up a racket or paddle,” Mimi said. “It’s amazing how quickly everyone caught on. I usually end up being the weakest player, but I  keep trying because pickleball is so fun.”

Dennis Forbes Memorial Tournament, Ogden, Utah Prize Money

Dennis Forbes Memorial Tournament, Ogden, Utah   07/18/13 - 07/20/13 Thirty-nine of the best players in the US and Canada, 25 men and 14 women, were invited by the Ogden Pickleball Association to Ogden, Utah last week for the first Tournament of Champions event. This was the first big money tournament in USAPA history, with $18,000 in total prize money.

Three thousand dollars was awarded to the first place teams in men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles; $2,000 to each second place team and $1,000 for the teams that finished third. Wow, women rule! Gigi LeMaster was the top money winner ($3,000) with first place finishes in both women’s and mixed doubles. Alex Hamner went away with $2,000 by taking second place in women’s and mixed doubles.

This event was a test and it went great; all players commented on how smoothly it ran. We are reviewing and making plans for how in 2014 we can expand and open the event to all players who are USAPA rated 4.5 and 5.0, but it will not be in July -- too hot.

Our goal is to create a professional stand alone US Pickleball Open Tournament in Ogden. Stay tuned.

Pickleball Birthplace Bainbridge Island Video

Pickleball Birthplace Bainbridge Island Video   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXhhcfqaNZ0&feature=em-share_video_user

Alberta 55+ Provincial Pickleball Playoffs

The inaugural Alberta 55+ Provincial Pickleball Playoffs in Sherwood Park on Aug 22 for the Canada 55+ Games in 2014:  Pickleball barrels into Games

By Shane Jones, Sherwood Park News

Thursday, August 29, 2013 2:56:46 MDT PM

http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/2013/08/29/pickleball-barrels-into-games

Event organizer Linda Dane wasn’t gherkin around when she indicated that pickleball has really grown in recent years.

“Pickleball might be the fastest-growing sport in North America,” she said. “It’s very easy for people to learn and for people of all ages to play. People from eight to 80 are playing it, as we all saw at the upper age range of seniors for our tournament. It’s something that is now being included in the curriculum at schools. It can be played indoors in any gym or outdoors on tennis courts. We used tape and made temporary courts for our tournament and fit two pickleball courts on each tennis court.

“It’s just growing exponentially. In 2009 there was virtually no pickleball in Alberta and now I would hazard a guess that there are 1,000 to 1,500 players. It’s just gone crazy. In the Edmonton area I would say we have 300 to 400 players alone.”

Dane was thrilled with the turnout and how the recent Pickleball Provincials in the Park came off in general.  “We were very happy,” she said. “It has taken three years to get pickleball into the Canada 55+ Games, but now that it is we had just a fantastic turnout.”

“We weren’t included in the recent Alberta 55+ Games because we are considered a brand new sport, so we had to do our own thing to make sure Alberta would be in the national games next year,” Dane added. “Everything just went perfectly, and it was a nice way to kind of kick off next year’s games by having the provincials in Strathcona County.”

The Canada 55+ Games will take place from Aug. 27 to 30, 2014 in Strathcona County, AB.

The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) Member Countries

The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was organized to perpetuate the growth and advancement of Pickleball throughout the world. The member organizations representing their respective countries have agreed to conduct the business of the IFP in conformance to the Constitution and Bylaws of the IFP. Member organizations also support the International Rules of Pickleball. The IFP Member Countries are Canada, India, Spain and USA. Did you know that the IFP Rules are now available in Spanish? Visit http://ipickleball.org/

India National Tournament December 2013

India National Tournament December 2013
Pickleball is alive and well in India...the game is gaining a much wider acceptance and in December 2013 a first ever national tournament will be held. It is expected that players from 12 States of India will attend. It would add glory and sanctity to our event if we had guests from Canada and also give a great boost to the international movement of pickleball. For further information please contact: Sunil Valavalkar, Founder General Secretary, All India Pickleball Association. 

2013 B.C. Seniors Games Kamloops Medalists

Abbotsford/Chilliwack players won 9 medals in 2013 B.C. Seniors Games Kamloops Aug 20-23, 2013::
Brian Gaudat Men's 4.0 Singles Gold, Men's 4.0 Doubles Bronze, Mixed 4.0 Doubles Bronze
Brian Parkes Mens 4.0 Doubles Gold
Henry Meerkerk Mens 4.0 Doubles Silver
Matt Khan  Mens 4.0 Doubles Bronze
Pat Khan  Women's 4.0 Doulbes Bronze, Mixed 4.0 Doubles Bronze
Cathy Parkes  Womens 4.0 Doubles  Bronze
 http://www.bcseniorsgames.org
Fraser Valley had 157 gold, 129 silver and 87 bronze medals from the 24 sports which comprise the Games.
Always remember there are no ‘losers’ in pickleball only ‘runners-up’. Pickleball is a court game for all ages...a lifetime sport!