Thursday, August 23, 2012

Pickleball: Beware of Counterfeit Pickleball Organizations in Canada

The true national pickleball organization in Canada!!!
Last week I was shopping at Home Depot for some gardening supplies, and i went to the cashier to pay for my items. I was actually carrying cash with me rather then my debit card, which caused the young cashier a slight moment of confusion. She then proceeded to scan my $20 CDN bills through the counterfeit machine to check their authenticity. I was all good and asked how often they receive bogus bills? She said that she would show one that they had found counterfeit only hours before. To the untrained eye, you would not be able to see any differences in the bills, but upon closer examination you would notice glaring differences. Much the same as the problems that exist in Canada with the national Pickleball organization. To most people there is only 1 true pickleball organization in Canada: Pickleball Canada! But there is another crafty bogus organization that tries to be that same well respected organization. They call themselves Canada Pickleball. Pickleball Canada...Canada Pickleball isn't that the same thing you might ask? No!!! Pickleball Canada is made up of pickleball players from all over Canada who serve in various board functions to advance the sport of pickleball in Canada through sanctioned tournaments, player ratings, instructional clinics, new pickleball programs in communities throughout the provinces and territories. Pickleball Canada is associated with the USAPA (United States Association of Pickleball) and uses the IFP (International Federation of Pickleball) rules for pickleball play in recreational or tournament play. The bogus Canada Pickleball main platform revolves solely around the inclusion of the illegal pickleball paddles (Apike & Hush.) They have tried to make up their own rules so as to include their paddles. The rules set forth by the IFP are used throughout Canada, USA, India, and other countries, why do we need to change the rules? This has caused many divisions in Canada, and some snake oil salesman make Canada Pickleball out to be the same as Pickleball Canada, don't fall for the lies. Support Pickleball Canada, Canada's true national pickleball organization.

2 comments:

  1. You have referred to the Apike and Hush Paddles as "illegal".....in actual fact there is no such thing as "illegal" paddles !! The IFP (International Federation of Pickleball) determines if paddles meet the criteria of their rules. If they do meet specs, the paddles are admissible for sanctioned tournament play. If not, they simply dis allow them for sanctioned tournament play. They are not "illegal" as there is no such wording in the rules. Many clubs and even tournaments still allow these paddles to be used in both club play and tournament play. Just not sanctioned IFP tournament play. Perhaps you should clarify these with your readers.....it is a very common mistake organizations like yourselves make. Cheers and happy pickling!!

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  2. Good point there Anonymous. A lot of paddles that are not (yet) sanctioned by either, still make the grade for open play as well as local tournaments.
    PB is still evolving in ways we may not imagine. Give it time.
    Cheers and happy pickling to all!

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