The South Cariboo Pickleball Association held a drop-in on Saturday, Aug. 10 to celebrate National Pickleball Day.
The event was held at the Rolf Zeis Memorial Arena in Lac La Hache and was a chance for people to try their hand at the sport. Larry Davis, president of the SCPA, noted National Pickleball Day was declared to "help promote and further the sport of pickleball in Canada."
"We're hosting an open venue here where anyone can come and try pickleball to see if they enjoy it, and then hopefully join our club," Davis explained.
However, the majority of the people who showed up for the event were existing players which Davis attributes to the other events taking part in the South Cariboo that day.
"I think perhaps there's a lot of things going on in summer, and it's maybe a little difficult to get people out to try something when there's so many other things there's so many other things to do."
Others agreed with Davis's sentiments, such as Pam Makortoff, a pickleball player, and the association's secretary. She says it is disappointing that there were no newcomers to the event. However, Markotoff says she always has fun playing pickleball.
"It's a challenge, the exercise - it's good to stay in shape - and the social aspect, like, it's a really good, welcoming, friendly group - very supportive," Markortoff stated.
Others were optimistic that newcomers would eventually decide to try out the sport like Marg Mitchell, a pickleball player from 100 Mile House who plays the sport five times a week.
"They're around here somewhere - I'm sure they'll probably show up," Mitchell remarked in the morning.
One project the association continues to work towards is building new pickleball courts in the 108 Mile Ranch next to the 108 Community Hall.
"So we'll have seven courts. There will be a fence in court to play there - you'll have to be a member of the club that ensures that people have insurance," Davis said.
Currently, the South Cariboo Pickleball Association rents from the Lac La Hache Community Association for playing time during the summer and School District 27 gymnasiums during the winter.
Mitchell says she is open to playing at the proposed new 108 Mile Ranch pickleball courts.
"I probably would."
Davis said after the event that while no newbies showed up, the regular club members enjoyed a potluck afterwards and had a good day.
