In a year when the Okanagan has suffered through a tough economy, the aftershocks of last August's flawed travel ban, and the damage from misconceptions about stuff like wildfire smoke (we've been smoke-free virtually all summer), it's good to see an event soar above expectations.
Such was the case this past weekend when the 2024 edition of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament packed the Penticton Pickleball Club and broke records along the way.
The event, now in its third year and the chief annual fundraiser for the local wing of the CMHA, has been a hit right from the start, attracting players from the Okanagan and far beyond.
And this year, according to CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen Executive Director and Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament Director (and avid pickleballer herself) Leah Schulting, that upward trend continued and the numbers were better than ever.
So too was the quality of play. PentictonNow dropped by Friday during women's doubles action and was rather dazzled by the talent.
"Yep, the quality has gone up," said a smiling Schulting. "The way some of these people move – wow. I was on the court the other day and saw some guys who could really play, and I later learned they were NHL players. The sport is growing by leaps and bounds.
"But even better are the numbers. We went from 135 players in the first year to 169 and now we’re at 190."
That the new record happened during the September long weekend, typically a no-go for events, was an even happier surprise.
"The BC Senior Games put their pickleball games over top of our games, which usually happen on the second weekend of September," explained Schulting. "So now there'll be 400 pickleball players going to Salmon Arm.
"And BC Pickleball advised me I didn’t want to go up against the Senior Games. But every other weekend is taken up by other tournaments in the Okanagan. So we scheduled for the long weekend and crossed our fingers. And we sold right out."
As of Friday, the tournament had already raised more than $30,000. The final figure is still being totaled.
"The money comes from entry fees ($70 to enter plus $10 for each additional event), a 50/50, and from people who just want to contribute," said Schulting. "This year we have people here from as far away as Tofino and Prince George.
"Overall, I think our success is due to a combination of the popularity of pickleball and the desire of so many to want to give to a charity that's mental health related."
Gregariously watching the matches Friday was player/fan Lee Abel of Penticton. Abel is with "The Brine," a group he says organizes pickleball events across the Okanagan.
"Tournaments are where we become better pickleball players," he said. "The first year at this tournament was great, but the quality – both players and organization -- this year is way better than it’s ever been."
Abel theorized that pickleball is far more than a mere physical pastime.
"The sport of pickleball is all about mental health," he said. "It's all about how we manage our lives. And as we age, our mental health becomes more important.
"So we need to focus on that. And that’s what's great about this tournament. We get pickleball and mental health."
Also on hand was certified pickleball coach Kim Coleman, who agreed that the play in each successive tournament has been a step up on the one before.
"I think a lot of people are now getting involved in the technical part of the game," said Coleman. "And they take lots of lessons. Lots of practice too. These courts are full all the time.
"And we have a lot more younger people getting involved. It's a movement now. We see teenagers out here on a regular basis. It's become cool."
Leah Schulting believes next year's event, the date of which has not yet been decided, will continue to impress.
"There are two more courts being built here right now," she said, pointing to the construction zone. "So now we'll have more room. It'll be bigger because of that alone."
For more info on the annual Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament, go here. For more info on CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen, head to the website here.
