CANORA - On July 3, the Yorkton Crossing Court Invasion took over the new and improved pickleball court in Canora. But the only weapons involved in this invasion were pickleball paddles.
One of the participants and organizers, Ken Kolisnek of Pickleball Canora, said the game has been growing across many parts of Canada in recent years.
“The Canora invasion was the brainchild of Gina Resler, Yorkton Pickleball President,” said Kolisnek. “Her plan is to hit different communities across the region this summer and stimulate community interest.”
Kolisnek, who is a pickleball national champion, said the game provides an opportunity to play for all skill sets: low, medium and high.
With the recent upgrade of the tennis courts in Canora to be used for pickleball as well as other sports, there is plenty of opportunity for new players to get started.
“There is also a strong social component to pickleball,” said Kolisnek. “Players become like a second family.”
“We see that type of thing all the time at tournaments,” added Gina Resler. “When we’re at tournaments in Regina, we get invites from players there to ‘Don’t worry about a hotel, you can stay at our place.’”
As far as equipment goes, players only need to have a pickleball paddle and a pair of running shoes. Kolisnek describes the game as a cross between tennis and table tennis (ping pong).
“For new players, I suggest they take a learn to play program.”
As found at pickleballsaskatchewan.ca, pickleball guidelines include:
“Pickleball is a paddle sport played using a special perforated ball on a 20-foot-by-44-foot court with a tennis-type net. The court is divided into right/even and left/odd service courts.
“The ball is served diagonally across the net to the opponent’s receiving court using an approved motion. The ball is struck back and forth across the net until a player fails to return the ball in accordance with the rules.
“Points are scored only by the serving side when the server or the server’s team wins the rally, or the opposing side commits a fault. The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side loses the rally or commits a fault. Typically, the first side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a two-point margin wins.
“Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles.”
For those under the impression that pickleball is only for older adults, that is not the case. Resler said they are starting a youth program in Yorkton for ages 10-14, and have a camp coming up from July 15-17.
Upcoming opportunities in Canora include a fun tournament scheduled for August during Community in Bloom Week.
“We’re encouraging new players from Canora and around the region to try pickleball,” said Kolisnek. “We’re looking for 16 male and 16 female players.”
For more information, phone 306-621-9460.
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