Exciting Announcement: Vancouver Island Pickleball Championships Coming to Parksville
Are you ready for some pickleball action? Parksville is gearing up to host the first Vancouver Island Pickleball Championships, and it’s set to be an exciting event with close to 250 players from all across the Island and beyond.
Organized by the Oceanside Pickleball Club (OPC), this major tournament will take place at Parksville Community Park from August 23 to August 25. Sanctioned by Pickleball BC, this tournament is a big step up from the smaller scale Island tournaments that OPC has organized in the past two years.
“We are thrilled to bring this event to Parksville,” said OPC president John Philip. “Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that resonates not only with residents of Vancouver Island but also with visitors who love the area’s beauty and recreational opportunities.”
The tournament will span three days, with each participant guaranteed to play at least four games. The competition will be fierce, with women’s matches on August 23, men’s matches on August 24, and mixed doubles on August 25. Players of all ages and abilities will be placed in brackets, ensuring fair and competitive matches.
With over 220 people already registered for the event in 14 categories, including 10 teams in the men’s over-70 age category, the competition is sure to be intense. Philip highlighted the challenge of organizing the tournament, especially with 65 teams in the mixed doubles category alone.
Games will be played outdoors at various locations in Parksville, including the pickleball courts and tennis court at Parksville Community Park, the Parksville lacrosse box, and Berwick Parksville. The finals for each day are expected to be played from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and spectators are welcome to come and watch some thrilling matches.
“Pickleball games can be filled with lots of action… hard smashes, incredible rallies, long points, and don’t forget the all-important ‘dink’ shots,” said Philip.
The event has received tremendous support from the community and sponsors, including Berwick Parksville Retirement Community, Qualicum Beach Cafe Group of Companies, and Selkirk Sport. With such strong backing, the Vancouver Island Pickleball Championships are sure to be a memorable and exciting event for players and spectators alike.