Terrace pickleball players amassed some impressive results in attending the first-ever provincial pickleball championships in Vernon in mid-May.
In four days on 24 courts, 632 participants competed and of these 632 participants, a small group of nine were from Terrace.
Riaan de Wit, placed fourth out of 18 in men’s singles 3.5, any age. Jeany de Wit and partner Regina Williams from Haida Gwaii, received gold in women’s doubles 3.5, age 55+. Suyi Sibbald and Cindy Motschilnig received gold in women’s doubles 3.0, any age.
Amanda Botelho and Jennifer Lindstrom received silver in women’s doubles 3.0, any age. And Dan Hamel and Suyi Sibbald received silver in mixed doubles 3.0, any age.
Pickleball, says Terrace player and Terrace Pickleball Club president Dan Hamel, has plenty of talent surfacing locally.
“It’s super easy to start playing because you don’t need a lot of skill to have successful rallies but as you develop your skills, the complexity of the games increases,” he said.
“The age range of the sport is huge. The best woman in the world is 16 years old and you can play the sport right into your senior years.”
”Two tennis courts can accommodate up to eight players, which can be converted into 6 pickleball courts, accommodating up to 24 players.”
“The social aspect of the sport is also awesome. What better way to stay healthy, have a few laughs and spend time outside with friends,” Hamel added.
”Many people are now packing a racquet with them as they travel, stopping by communities as they go. We have had many different visitors from all over Canada stop by our courts in Terrace.”
The local interest in pickleball resulted in the formation of the Terrace Pickleball Club this past April.
Schedules are being developed to split the player levels for balanced play.
“Our goal is to offer clinics for new players and offer tournaments for our local and surrounding communities.
“We have already offered clinics for teachers, equipping them with the skills to teach students,” he said.
The growing number of local players means the current six courts below the Sportsplex won’t be adequate and the club is asking the city to convert two of the five tennis courts beside Heritage Park on Halliwell.
“If we can get their guidance and support, we hope to make this a reality.
The location of Heritage Park would offer our players better parking and the courts would be near a school,” said Hamel.
“Courts with dividers will allow us to offer tournaments which would bring in business for local companies. Lawn around the courts enable people to sit and watch games, with playground equipment close by for the younger children.”
Hamel said new players here have the assistance of experienced players in showing them the ropes.
”These are the people who are putting Terrace on the map in the BC pickleball world,” he said.