Ready with paddles, wiffle balls and good spirits, more than 25 pickleball players from Terrace and Kitimat met in Thornhill for the second tournament this year.
The now two-day competition inside the gym of the Northwest Trades Centre from Sept. 21-22 engaged six women’s teams, six men’s teams, and 12 co-ed teams in round-robin style tournaments.
“This was a competitive event with prizes for the winners and there were some very close games and great fun for all teams,” said organizer Karen Resch.
The tournament’s first run in 2016 had more participants Resch said, but overall the sport has seen an increase in interest and participation. Now she said they’re just looking for players from other communities, like Smithers and Prince Rupert, to join in.
“It’s not as hard on you as some of the other racket sports that you play, which is why it’s promoted as a seniors sport. People that play badminton and tennis then come to pickleball and find it easier on their body,” Resch said when asked about why she plays the sport.
Pickleball is played Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Northwest Trades Centre gym from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Teams also play outdoors, weather permitting, at the Terrace pickleball courts below the Sportsplex arena on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
READ MORE: New courts for Terrace pickleball players
The winners from the recent tournament are below:
In women’s doubles, first place went to Jaime Wiebe and Karen Resch from Terrace, and second went to Jeany de Wit and Jennifer Hidber, also from Terrace.
In men’s doubles, Terrace’s Gina Iamele and Harry Simpson took first place and Pat Mildenberger and Stacy Smeader from Kitimat took second.
The mixed doubles tournament had three flights.
In the A flight, first place went to Dave Quinn and Jeany de Wit, and second went to Dallas Wiebe and Jaime Wiebe.
In the B flight, first was won by Pat Mildenberger and Theresa Mildenberger, second was Harry Simpson and Cindy Motschilnig.
In the C flight, the winners were Ken Dahms and Val Hansen. Second went to Stacy Smeader and Pauline Morgan.
brittany@terracestandard.com
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