WESTLOCK – Pickleball players from far and wide came to Westlock on April 12 and April 13 to play pickleball for the love of playing the game to those serious pickleballers who came to compete.
“There are 36 teams playing with players coming from all over within 300 kilometres,” said Wes Latimer, Westlock Pickleball Association President.
Teams came from Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Camrose, Spruce Grove and Barrhead to name a few and the excitement of the day was felt as you entered the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre courts.
Players, volunteers and Latimer all shared their appreciation for the wonderful facilities available at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre.
The tournament is split into four quarters with two quarters played each day.
Players from different levels play against each other which level 4.0 being the most competitive group in the spring tournament.
This is the ninth year for the tournament.
Latimer said there are a great range of ages from 14 years old to 83 years old and the Westlock Pickleball Association is seeing more younger players getting interested in the sport.
Each two-person team plays between six and eight games as part of the tournament.
If teams are not matched together the association will partner the player with someone.
Donna Duff from Camrose found the mystery man partner, Trevor Jackson from Westlock and had won two games and lose three by Sunday at noon.
Duff said that pickleball is her life and she loves it.
The Westlock Pickleball Association holds the tournament twice a year for fall back time and spring ahead time.
The club has about 80 members with some players in it for the competition but the majority of it is very social.
Latimer said that people new to the community or new retirees might find it a great way to meet people.
The women's league plays Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with 30 players in their group.
There are between 18 to 24 people who come out to play on those days.
There is a smaller group of 4.0 group and there are between four and 14 players go come out to play three times a week.
There are two social groups in the evenings offered who play Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There is a group that plays Sunday at 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Barrhead people participated in the tournament as well as come to play in Westlock because of the facility mostly due to having difficulty in getting court time in Barrhead.
Barrhead friends at the tournament were 15% of the players and in the 4.0 group Barrhead players equal half of the players.
Barrhead players have a great club, but they are limited through the winter for court time according to Latimer.
The difference between the 3 and 4 group levels is athletic ability, how much they play and how competitive they are.
Players are judged in Edmonton to qualify for a 4.0 level classification.
The 4.0 group has training sessions prior to games to focus on improving their skills.
Westlock does not have a 5.0 level group.
