Prospect Park Pickleball...Perfect
Staying Alive Fitness sponsored a pickleball tournament at Prospect Park on Saturday, August 24th for the “Easy Riders”, a local pickleball group.
“Pickleball is taking over Halton Hills and is one of Canada's fastest growing sports” said a release. “It's a fun and an accessible activity that anyone can participate in”.
The event ran from 8:30am to 11:30am and concluded with a light luncheon at the park.
“I got interested in pickleball because of tournament organizer Dean Haughie. His passion for the sport got me curious” said Leanne Monaghan, owner of Staying Alive Fitness. “Last year Dean invited me for a morning of playing pickleball. It was a great workout, I had fun and the people were amazing! I sponsored the tournament because it is embodies my mission Staying Alive Well! And of course I adore the tournament organizers Dean and Lucie Haughie”.
According to Pickleball Canada, pickleball hearkens back to the summer of 1965 in Washington state. Joel Pritchard, a congressman, and Bill Bell, a businessman, were trying to find some badminton equipment but could only find ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Their improvised equipment led to a fun, new sport.
They shared the game with others and, eventually, a corporation was established to sell sets. “They kept in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together”.
The game’s name has two origins—firstly, because its improvised origins resemble a pickle boat in crew where oarsmen are chosen from the leftovers of other boats. And secondly, because the Pritchards’ dog was called Pickles.
The game was finding its way to Canada by the 1970’s and the Pickleball Canada Association was formed in 2009.
“It not only provides exercise for the participants but a social aspect that keeps our community strong” continues Monaghan. “I believe all the players left feeling good and with a sense of accomplishment. The social aspect of day was phenomenal! To me the day was perfect!”
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