Pickleballers played on, and on
Players were super as they played through the bad-air days that plagued the Central Okanagan
Despite warning about air quality in the very unhealthy range that saw other events cancelled, the West Kelowna Pickleball Club’s Super Seniors tournament went ahead outdoors at the Mount Boucherie courts Thursday through Saturday.
“We took a chance,” said Eric Shoaf, tournament director. “The air’s been on and off.”
Surprisingly, after setting it out that the tournament would go ahead regardless of air quality there were almost no cancellations. The few who canceled were replaced. “It’s worked out really wonderful,” said Shoaf, noting 60 per cent of the 278 players in the threeday tournament were from out of town.
Each day brought over 300 people to the Mount Boucherie sport courts, including those new to the sport.
“I’ve talked to 20 people myself that have never seen pickleball before and cannot even believe what they've been missing,” said Shoaf.
Pickleball is a racquet game played on a badminton-sized court using a perforated ball and a smooth surface paddle.
Mature racquet sport players have been switching over to pickleball as it is easier on their bodies.
The tournament offered divisions for players 60 years and older and 65 years and older.
Barb and Barry Halpenny from Kelowna love the game and after recently retiring played pickleball like crazy in Mesa, Arizona.
“It’s fun and it’s social,” said Barb. “You’re exercising, you’re outdoors and we’ve met a ton of people through it.”
The Halpennys had been concerned about the tournament being cancelled over poor air quality as well as how the smoky conditions would affect the players.
Barb played in the ladies’ tournament Friday in the smoke. “It didn’t seem to bother us,” she said. The tournament also drew competitors like John Molyneux from Okotoks, Alta.
Molyneux, who has been playing pickleball for about three years, wanted to play in an agerelated tournament with skill level.
As for the poor air quality, Molyneux noted smoke had been a problem in the Okanagan the last two summers.
He was partnered with Gwen Redfern from Summerland as one of the 78 teams playing in the mixed doubles tournament Saturday.
They were playing together for the Àrst time after Ànding each other through a space for players needing partners.
Redfern said she likes pickleball because it’s fast and reactive.
“It keeps your mind and body at work,” she said.
“When I win I like the competitiveness,” said Molyneux. “When I lose I like the physical exercise.”