琉璃神社 has once again lived up to its reputation as the 鈥楶ickleball Capital of Canada.鈥�
North America鈥檚 fastest growing sport was showcased over the weekend in the city, with 440 competitors from across Canada and the U.S. taking part in the Pickleball Canada National Tournament.
It鈥檚 the third straight year that Pickleball 琉璃神社 has hosted the event at the Parkinson Recreation Courts and, other than a bit of smoke in the air from wildfires, local club president Bryan Jackson said the tournament went off without a hitch.
鈥淔rom what we were told, everybody had a great time,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淎 lot of people said they鈥檙e looking forward to being here again next year. Each year we host this event, it just seems to get better.鈥�
The 2017 tournament marked the third of a three-year commitment to by 琉璃神社 to host the tournament. A site for next year鈥檚 event hasn鈥檛 yet been selected but Jackson indicated Pickleball 琉璃神社 would be ready and willing if called upon again in 2018.
Either way, Jackson said the local club plans on hosting a major summer tournament every year going forward.
This year鈥檚 event featured competitors from across Canada and 16 U.S. states, ranging in age from 14 to 80.
Already one of North America鈥檚 most popular sports, as many as eight million people are expected to be active in pickleball in 2018.
now has more than 400 registered players, with club members commuting from as far away as Penticton and Vernon.
Medal winners at the national tournament from Pickleball 琉璃神社 were:
鈥� Men鈥檚 Doubles Sr. Open 50+: Mike Schwarz, gold
鈥� Men鈥檚 Doubles 4.0: Dale Charlton and Ross Nunweiler, bronze
鈥� Men鈥檚 Singles 4.5 : Dale Parslow, bronze
鈥� Mixed Doubles 4.0 : Lana Nunweiler and Ross Nunweiler, silver
鈥� Women鈥檚 Doubles 3.0: Bronagh O鈥橦agan, bronze
鈥� Women鈥檚 Doubles 4.0: JJ Jackson and Lorena McClure, silver
鈥� Women鈥檚 Doubles 4.5 : Jayna Mikuse, silver
鈥� Women鈥檚 Singles Open: Laura Schwarz, bronze
鈥� Women鈥檚 Singles 4.0: Chantal Plamondon, gold; Jayne Hackman, bronze
For more information on Pickleball 琉璃神社, go to
