1st Ever Canadian pickleball nationals

If you are a Canadian (or American) pickleball fanatic, then being in Abbotsford, BC, Canada last weekend, July 7, 8, 2012 was THE place to be. The first ever canadian pickleball nationals drew 180 participants from all over North America. It was neat to talk with players from California, Arizona, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Washington, and many others. There were some that had played in countless tournaments, and others who were entering with virgin experience, but in the end everyone enjoyed the experience. American Pickleball champions: Billy & Darcie Jacobsen, Chris Miller, and Jennifer Lucore displayed their pickleball prowess winning many golds. Asked why they would come up to Abbotsford, and they replied, "This is the first ever Canadian nationals for pickleball, and British Columbia is a growing hotbed for pickleball." 2012 Pickleball Canada National Open Championship on July 7 -8, 2012:  Here is the list of winners (highlighting our Abbotsford/Chilliwack winners)

20  Events     GOLD                SILVER              BRONZE

OPEN Singles Mens Billy Jacobsen (Seattle,WA) Chris Miller (WA) Brian Lam (Coquitlam, BC)

OPEN Singles Womens Jennifer Lucore (San Deigo,CA) Darcie Jacobsen (Seattle, WA)

OPEN Doubles Mixed Zhekhovskaya/Zhekhovsky (Surrey,BC) Caldwell/Orcutt (Surrey,BC) Iggulden/Iggulden (Surrey,BC)

OPEN Doubles Mens Jacobsen/Miller (Seattle, WA) Skinner/Zhekhovskiy (Surrey,BC) Power/Wagner (Kelowna,BC)

OPEN Doubles Womens Lucore/Jacobsen (Seattle,WA, California) Lerner/Zhekhovskaya (Surrey,BC) Orcutt/lehman (Surrey, Nanaimo,BC)

Under 55 Doubles Mixed Schwarz/Schwarz (Kelowna ,BC) Lam/Postler (Coquitlam,BC/Kelowna)Fosbery/Fosbery (Kelowna,BC)

Under 55 Doubles Mens Schwarz/Fosbery (Kelowna,BC) Power/Wagner (Kelowna,BC) Gene Latray/Ken Franz (Abbotsford, BC)

Under 55 Doubles Womens Schwarz/Fosbery (Kelowna,BC) Iggulden/Coss (Surrey,BC) Saunders/Power (Kelowna, BC)

55+ Doubles Mixed, NicholsBourne (Vernon, BC) Jmaeff/Jmaeff (Kelowna,BC) Stern/Savoy (Nanaimo, BC)

55+ Doubles Mens, Ellis/Iggulden (Surrey, BC) Evans/Priebe (Regina,SK/Surrey,BC)McWilliam/Morgan (Kelowna,BC)

55+ Doubles Womens, Postler/Edwards (Surrey, BC) Jackson/Jmaeff (Kamloops/Kelowna,BC) Debbie Holley/Claire Pool (Abbotsford, BC)

60+ Doubles Mixed, Kusch/Lerner (Surrey, BC) Saunders/Saunders (Kelowna,BC) Gillis/Mah (Surrey, BC)

60+ Doubles Mens, Kusch/Touchet (Surrey, BC) Bourne/Banns (Surrey, BC) Matt Khan/Henry Meerkerk (Abbotsford, BC)

60+ Doubles Womens, Kathy Parkes/Judy Van Aert(Chilliwack,BC/Langley,BC) Crawford/Peusepp (Kelowna, BC) Roper/Kusch (California, USA/Surrey, BC)

65+ Doubles Mixed, Hill/Oehlenschlaeger (Nanaimo,BC) Darvill/Griffiths 
(Ladner,BC/Chilliwack,BC) Jetalina/Jetalina (Surrey, BC)

65+ Doubles Mens, Darvill/Meltsner (Ladner, BC/Blaine,WA) Ross/Saunders (Surrey,BC/Kelowna,BC) Hill/Parkes (Surrey,BC/Chilliwack, BC)

65+ Doubles Womens, Hill/Jetelina (Surrey, BC) Booth/Brown (Kelowna, BC) Mandy Witt/Gerry Logan (Abbotsford, BC)

70+ Doubles Mixed, Kennedy/Loskot (Surrey,BC/CA) Haworth/Hill (Chilliwack,BC/AZ) Orlosvky/Orlovsky (North Vancouver, BC)

70+ Doubles Mens, Jetelina/Kennedy (Surrey,BC) Mezei/Metivier (Surrey, BC) Ed Burke/Jerry Rudolph (Kelowna,BC/ (Abbotsford, BC)

70+ Doubles Womens Haworth/Loskot (Chilliwack/BC/Surrey,BC) Stockman/Griffiths (Lynden,WA,Chilliwack,BC)Penink/Thompson (Kelowna, BC)

2 Female Pickleball Pro's at Canadian Nationals coming

In a recent post we mentioned that there are 2 male pickleball pro's coming to the Canadian nationals next week in Abbotsford. We forgot to mention that there are also 2 Female pickleball pros coming as well! Jenifer Lucore (at left) is the 2011 Ladies open singles champion, and open ladies doubles. The other lady not pictured is Darcie Jacobsen, who has also won numerous USAPA awards. I know these ladies could whip me no problem...You go girl(s)!

USAPA Nationals Champions playing at Canadian nationals

2 of pickleballs top players are coming to play at the Canadian Pickleball Nationals in Abbotsford, July 7-8, 2012. Billy Jacobsen (top Left) and Chris Miller (Right) have won gold in men's open singles & men's open doubles. I've seen youtube clips of these 2 gentleman playing, and you can tell why they are the best. It will be great to see these 2 and many more in Abbotsford next week. If you haven't decided if you were coming, make plans now to witness North America's best pickleball players and supporters. We at Pickleball International will be on hand selling pickleball supplies both days. come by to watch and say Hi to us at the booth.

Largest Canadian pickleball Tournament coming

Yes the excitement is building! In a little over 1 month the first ever Canadian Pickleball nationals will be in Abbotsford BC. July 7 & 8, 2012! Counting down the days! There are 170 pickleballers coming from all over Canada & the USA. This will be the largest pickleball tournament in Canada, and a chance to show why Pickleball is North America's fastest growing sport.

Pickleball News: ARC opens new time slots

Wake-up sleepy head!

Abbotsford Recreation center has just announced more pickleball slots on the weekends. Saturdays & Sundays 7 am -8:45! What better way to start the weekend then with Pickleball? ARC also states that it is part of their early riser program so cost is only $2 each if you don't have a membership! As the Canadian nationals draws closer, any extra pickleball slots is welcomed.

Pickleball Canadian Nationals 2012 Announcement

2012 Pickleball Canada National Open Championship will be held on July 7 - 8, 2012, hosted by Abbotsford Recreation Centre, 2499 McMillan Road, Abbotsford, B.C. The 2012 Pickleball Canada National Open Championship will be open to all players including USA. There will be open (singles and doubles), 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+, under 55 in mixed, mens and womens doubles divisions.
There are 20 events with limit of players:



OPEN Singles Mens,
OPEN Singles Womens,
OPEN Doubles Mixed,
OPEN Doubles Mens,                                            
60+ Doubles Mixed,
60+ Doubles Mens,
60+ Doubles Womens,
65+ Doubles Mixed,
65+ Doubles Mens,
65+ Doubles Womens,
70+ Doubles Mixed,
70+ Doubles Mens,
70+ Doubles Womens
OPEN Doubles Womens,
Under 55 Doubles Mixed,
Under 55 Doubles Mens,
Under 55 Doubles Womens,
55+ Doubles Mixed,
55+ Doubles Mens,
55+ Doubles Womens,
60+ Doubles Mixed,
60+ Doubles Mens,
60+ Doubles Womens,
65+ Doubles Mixed,
65+ Doubles Mens,
65+ Doubles Womens,
70+ Doubles Mixed,
70+ Doubles Mens,
70+ Doubles Womens

You can register at Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Road, Abbotsford, B.C.
Spaces are limited. Please register early !!!

We know the best pickleball players are from BC, so may as well give all the medals to us right?!?

Pickleball Nationals 2011 Results

Okay so the picture above isn't at the 2011 Pickleball nationals in Buckeye Arizona, it is from our own tournament in Abbotsford last year. But it does show a local mens double pair who attempted to compete at the recent nationals. Local players Dave Touchet (far right) and Pickleball Canada Prez Colin Caldwell (far left) competed in the men's doubles 60+. Although they didn't win or place for a medal, they held their own, winning 3 sets until they were eliminated.  Mark Friedenberg (creator of pro-lite paddles) & Alan Christiansen (creator of Spikes/ZZ2 paddles) eventually won the division.

Steve Wong (creator of S-type paddles) won 4 silvers in many different categories including the extremely rigorous 19+ mens singles.

Other notable  locals that won medals are Carol Haworth (Abbotsford/Chilliwack)  that won a bronze  with her partner in the women's doubles 70+. Congratulations Carol from your friends in the Fraser valley!!!!!

If you're interested in all the results, check out the USAPA.com 

Pickleball Nationals 2010/2011

So for those of us not in the know, this week is very important to us pickleballers! I'm sure when you tell someone about what sport you play, you tend to get blank faces, or uproarious laughing. But as I said this week in Buckeye Arizona, November 7 - 14 is the annual Pickleball Nationals. It is the best of the best, the who's who in the pickleball world. At the tournament you will find all categories, and all ages represented (pre-teen, teen, under 30's right up to 80's, male and female.) Singles, mixed and gender doubles.

As you can see in the picture from last year the mens open doubles champions and bronze finishers are from Washington State. Besides the playing there is always releases of new paddles or protypes that have been approved for tournament play. Through my contacts I have personally heard of 3, and no doubt they will be offered to the public after the tournament ends. I will post the results next week, and keep you informed of any new paddles that come available.