Page 12 - Reaching New Heights - Vol 6

TAKE

“Picklers” OVER

CENTRAL PLAINS RECPLEX

PICKLEBALL is fun, social, and friendly! The rules are simple, and the game is easy
for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game. In the past
few years, Pickleball has vastly become a worldwide phenomenon.
So what is the big DILL? 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Pickleball is a hybrid sport derived from badminton, ping pong, and tennis. The popular
sport can be learned in just a few lessons, and players can find tournaments at varying
competitive levels. An incredibly social sport, Pickleball provides many with an outlet 5000 DONATED
to make new friends of all ages. A sport dominated by the boomer generation, it’s
popularity with younger players has been steadily increasing.
TO SOUTHPORT’S ENDOWMENT
At Central Plains RecPlex, the Portage Pickleball Club occupies the gymnasium with their FUND THROUGH THE COMMUNITY
fast-growing club on a weekly basis during the winter months. FOUNDATION OF PORTAGE & DISTRICT.
20

IN THE
PARTICIPANTS INAUGURAL
How can people become involved?
Q Q Just on the website, or come and see us, we I would like to add that working with Southport is
EVENT
J
nice to have first-name basis communication with
let people try the sport a couple of times free of
& & A A charge. We have paddles available for everybody, staff rather than someone you may not know on
they just come on down and enjoy themselves,
the phone. If there is an issue, you know who to

CLUB MEMBERS AND PICKLEBALL about 90% of them end up signing up! contact so it’s easy to resolve.
S
Our website is part of Pickleball Manitoba There was no hesitation from Southport to
ENTHUSIASTS, JIM LESLIE AND SUE DAVIDSON, which is part of Pickleball Canada. You can find support our club!
SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR THE SPORT. our website by searching Portage Pickleball Club
S
or by visiting Pickleball Manitoba and you’ll be This is actually the best indoor facility that
What motivated you to start playing Pickleball? there is in this area, for us it’s the perfect fit!
able to find our club within that, along with our JOIN THE FUN IN 2023!
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I’ve been playing Pickleball for the past four play times. The lines are already down, high ceilings, great
lighting, and lots of space compared to other
years. It was to do something, I’ve played hockey, Why do you like playing in Southport? indoor facilities like school gymnasiums.
but this is far more comfortable. It is easier and AUGUST 26 TH
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great exercise; the exercise was the main reason I It works for us! We only have summer The availability of the facility when we need it is
started the sport. courts available on the Island and there is really great! We have people who play in the morning
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It’s hard to remember because of the no other place we can play in the area. It’s close and people who play in the evening and the SOUTHPORT AIRPORT
facility has always been able to accommodate for
to Portage, it’s close to everybody! People come
pandemic, it all became a blur. I think I’ve been from different areas, South of Oakville, Elie, our club. & COMMUNITY
playing for about five to six years at this stage. My anywhere from half an hour for anybody to come,
Dad was playing tennis up at Grand Beach, and but for most it’s 15 minutes, so what better place We appreciate that Southport contributed to ALL PROCEEDS
he said there this new game called Pickleball and is there! our outdoor courts on the island through a
you should try it! I told him no, that sounds silly, sponsorship to further support our club! TO SOUTHPORT’S ENDOWMENT
so I resisted for about a year. He then organized FUND THROUGH THE
a chance to play with one of his friends, who was COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF
also a tennis player, and I was hooked! Follow Portage Pickleball Club on Facebook or email them for more information! PORTAGE & DISTRICT.

12 | Southport: Reaching New Heights
12 | Southport: Reaching New Heights 13 | Southport: Reaching New Heights
@PortagePickleballClub portage.pickleball.club@gmail.com