Locals medal in pickleball, sport continues to gain popularity

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 13, 2022.

Submitted photo Michael Wagner and Dave Barrie, at right, stands with other medalists after winning bronze in the men's doubles 4.0 55 plus category during the Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship in Regina last month.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

During the Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship held in Regina last month, multiple local players won medals in their age and skill level categories.

“Pickleball has really taken off in this area, there’s nearly 500 to 600 active pickleball players here in the Lethbridge area,” said Michael Wagner, treasurer of the Lethbridge Pickleball Club.

He said the Lethbridge and Coaldale Pickleball Clubs have 210 members each and the Lethbridge Seniors Centre has 200 members.

“I think between Medicine Hat and this tournament we had over 20 medalists from the Lethbridge area,” said Wagner.

Wagner explained the tournament had different categories divided into skill ratings, which are then divided into age groups of five year ranges.

“The normal categories starting at 3.0 and all age groups from 19 plus and 70 plus, in five-year increments and I think there were 600 or 700 players at the western Canadian tournament,” said Wagner.

He said the skill ratings were grouped by ages in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and open. They also have sub-categories like men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

“It’s age based but it’s also skills based. In Canada and in the United States they have a rating system based on how well you do in tournaments, you need to have a Canadian rating in order to play in those groups,” said Wagner.

He said there was one exemption, the 3.0 group which is an opening group does not require a Canadian rating to go into it.

Wagner said a local couple, Stacey and Tyler Keraiff, won gold in the 3.5 age 12-49 category, while he won bronze in the Open age 50 plus category with his partner Ilsa Wong.

“I also played Men’s doubles at 4.0 with a partner from British Columbia and won bronze in that category,” said Wagner.

He said people from all skills levels can compete in tournaments, as long as they have a Canadian rating, but people can also enjoy the sport for fun.

“The Legacy courts are open for playing seven days a week, there’s usually someone from our club there that can guide people or give them more information on how to join the club,” said Wagner.

He said some club members also won medals this year at the national level in June 2022.

That was the case for Michael Bishop and Richard Boras who won gold in the men’s doubles 3.0 19 to 50 years old category, as well as Richard and Val Boras in the mixed doubles 3.0 65 plus category.

“The nationals were held in Kingston, Ontario but I didn’t attend because it was too far away,” said Wagner.

He explained that anyone who has a Canadian rating can participate in the national tournament, it is not required to have previously won a medal in a provincial or western tournament.

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