One of the sports that seems to be taking the world by storm is pickleball. Drumheller it is no different.
This past Friday, a 12 team pickleball tournament was held at the outdoor courts at DVSS. Gabriel Chicoine organized the event and notes that this sport is truly taking off. “It’s very exciting to see people coming out and enjoying the sport that we all love. At the beginning of the year, I had a mission to get to know all of the communities across Canada to see what is pickleball all about. I see that people are excited, people are trying the game for the first time, or they have discovered the game. It is really fast growing and I really love to be part of the movement. This is what I’m trying to bring this summer to the badlands.”
The tournament was about bringing a little more competition to the sport according to Chicoine. “This sport is mostly recreational. This tournament, especially, I wanted to bring the aspect of competitiveness where people play with the same people for the series of games, and they get to improve. As a DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) coach I want to show them how they can build chemistry with their partner.” Along with the tournament, Chicoine and his team offered coaching opportunities for the players, on a separate court.
Also, just before the event got underway, Councillor Patrick Kolafa was on hand to present one of the starters of pickleball in Drumheller, Ian Jones, with a certificate from the Town of Drumheller signifying him as a Pickleball Pioneer in the valley. Jones is not surprised at how the game has grown in the Drumheller but has been surprised by the recognition by both the local pickleball community and the Town of Drumheller. “It’s overwhelming. I didn’t expect it at all. I’m just here to play the game and help people learn the game.”
If you want to learn more about the game, you can visit the Drumheller Pickleball Club Facebook page. There is usually games at both the BCF and outdoors at the DVSS courts a number of times per week. They have more tournaments planned for later this summer if you are interested in signing up.
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