The Comox Valley Pickleball Association’s third annual tournament at the 19 Wing Recreation Centre attracted some of the top players in B.C. All 144 game slots flled within 16 minutes of the online registration opening, once again showing the demand and enthusiasm for North America’s fastest growing sport.
The games burgeoning popularity was showcased all weekend with the men’s and women’s doubles events in multiple categories beginning Saturday morning. Each team enjoyed a minimum of fve round-robin games culminating in the centre court fnals in the afternoon.
The result of Saturday’s doubles events were:
Men’s 3.5
Gold: Sean Kennedy, Colin McCartie Silver: Livio Tedesco, Ken Saunders Bronze: Randy Lemoine, Neil Josefson
Women’s 3.5
Gold: Mia Tremblay, Susan Newell Silver: Barb Bradford, Susan Hawkes Bronze:: Elizabeth Folk, Donna Wilson
Men’s 4.0+
Gold: Thomas Rauber, Mike Bellis Silver: Clay Toresdahl, Rod Hamilton Bronze: Bob Weier, Pete Grassman
Women’s 4.0+
Gold: Glenda Sharpe, Gem Chang-Kue Silver: Claudia McLean, Pauline Davidson Bronze: Lissy Rauber, Dawn Dueck
Sunday featured the Men’s and Womens’ mixed categories with some hard fought matches determining the ultimate medal winners. Results:
Mixed 3.5
Gold: Chantal Grassman, Pete Grassman Silver: Sharon De Goede, Don Cruikshank Bronze: Kathryn Silcox, EJ Duncan
Mixed 4.0+
Gold: Dawn Dueck, Rod Hamilton Silver: Barb Lawrie, Clay Toresdahl Bronze: Anna Edgar, Peter Korvin
With close to 300 individuals playing pickleball in the Comox Valley, the sport has grown exponentially over the last four years. The CVPA expects demand for courts to increase, and continues to work aggressively on behalf of its members to provide and organize the necessary facilities. To that end, construction will soon begin on six outdoor pickleball courts adjacent to Highland School in Comox.
Played on a surface the size of a badminton court, the net is two inches lower than a standard tennis net. The game can be played as singles or doubles. Instead of a racquet, players use a paddle and a plastic whife ball. Most describe the game as a fusion of badminton, tennis and ping pong.
With millions of players of all ages playing pickleball in North America, now is a good time to see what all the excitement is about. Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland all have pickleball times scheduled at their recreation facilities. To learn more about the sport, or to get an introductory lesson, contact the CVPA through its website: cvpickleball.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/cvpickleball.ca
