Pickleball took centre stage in Parksville when more than 240 avid players from across British Columbia competed in the inaugural Vancouver Island Pickleball Championships.
The event was hosted Aug. 23 to Aug. 25 by the Oceanside Pickleball Club at the Parksville Community Park.
“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 Vancouver Island pickleball community provided three days of competitive play, with hundreds of spectators coming to see the action.
Each participant was guaranteed to play at least four games, with various age and ability brackets available for men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. More than 220 people have registered for the event in 14 categories, including 10 teams in the Men’s 70+ category.
The winners of this year's championships were mostly from the Parksville Qualicum Beach area. A list of winners:
Men's Doubles, Skill (2.5 To 3.5)
Karim Gangji, Richard Leung, Gold
Craig Oliver, Jim Ross, Silver
Mike Campbell, Chris Larsen, Bronze
Men's Doubles, Skill (3.5 and above)
Cameron Watson, Oliver Ross, Gold
Kevin Hill, Bob Velpel, Silver
Kevin Smith, Tony Melendez-Duke, Bronze
Men's Doubles 70+ (3.5 and above)
John Overholt, Jim Gill, Gold
Rich Phillips, Doug Damberger, Silver
Daniel Audet, Steven Thicke, Bronze
Men's Doubles 40+ (4.0 and above)
Gordon Thiessen, Bill Kelly, Gold
Frank Hoekstra, Ross Matthews, Silver
Mark Hoath, Derek Morin, Bronze
Womens' Doubles 40+ (2.5 to 3.0)
Pam Burns, Donna Damberger, Gold
Tracy Malyon, Julie Carter, Silver
Kathy Bracey, Stephanie Kaes, Bronze
Women's Doubles 40-69 (3.0 to 3.5)
Maretta den Ouden Chantal Rousseau, Gold
Vicki Walker, Nichola Reddington, Silver
Danielle Wickens, Shannon Lengkeek, Bronze
Women's Doubles 40-69 (3.5 and above)
Helen McWhirter, Julia Ludlow, Gold
Jill Nelson, Barbara Meihuizen, Silver
Mixed Doubles 40+ (2.5 to 3.0)
Cindy Vaartnou. Peter Vaartnou, Gold
Jenny Hubner, Geoff Malkin, Silver
Ellen Higgins, Paul White, Bronze
Mixed Doubles 40+ (3.0 To 3.5)
Danielle Wickens, Randy Wickens, Gold
Wendy Lowe, Ryan Zhu, Silver
Sue Fraser, Mike Crestejo, Bronze
Mixed Doubles 40 to 69 (3.5 and above)
Jane Morris, Bill Kelly, Gold
Barbara Meihuizen, Tony Toledo, Silver
Glenda Girotto, Frank Hoekstra, Bronze
Mixed Doubles 30 to 54 (3.5 to 4.0)
Tessa Graham, Kevin Smith, Gold
Susan McLaren, Andre Smith, Silver
Eileen Ursel, Ray Ursel, Bronze
The OPC thanked sponsors Selkirk Sport, Berwick Parksville Retirement Community, Qualicum Beach Cafe, Nanoose Bay Cafe and Deez Bar & Grill.
