THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Pickleball Club is hosting a tournament at Boulevard Lake on July 12, 13 and 14.
The third annual Thunder Bay Pickleball Club Open will include men’s, women’s and mixed – including singles and doubles play in novice, intermedia and advanced.
Jason Horychuk, the club’s head coach, said everyone is welcome to play. Spectators are also welcome to attend free of charge.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. In Thunder Bay, more than 300 people participate in the club and at least a couple hundred more play recreationally, Horychuk said.
“I think it's the social atmosphere of pickleball that people love,” he said.
“Plus it’s fun, easy to learn and easy to play. It’s not hard on your body. It’s a smaller court so you get to hit more balls faster.
“If you do have an injury or limited movement, it works out a lot better than sports that have a larger surface area to cover.”
The women’s and men’s doubles matches for all levels of play will start at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and end around 9 or 9:30 p.m.
Saturday will start at 9 a.m. and run until 5:30 p.m.
“That will be mixed doubles for all levels,” Horychuk said.
Afterwards there will be a social gathering at Wacky's.
Then Sunday will feature singles for men and women and the medal matches from Friday and Saturday.
Diadem is the official ball of the tournament. Horychuk said organizers are expecting around 100 players to participate – including city and national champions.
Registration closes on Monday at 11 p.m. Cost to enter is $15 per event for members and $22 per event for non-members.
For more information contact thunderbaypickleballclub@gmail.com.