Pickleball is taking Altona by storm, and no one knows this better than Gord Sawatzky, a retired school principal from École West Park School. With a lifelong passion for sports, Sawatzky has fully embraced pickleball.
What is pickleball?
For those unfamiliar with the sport, Sawatzky describes it as a mix between badminton and tennis. "We play on a badminton-sized court with a solid-core paddle and a ball similar to a Wiffle ball. The net is just a little lower than a tennis net," he explains.
One of the biggest draws of pickleball is its accessibility. "It’s an easy game to pick up, but like any sport, it’s more difficult to master," Sawatzky said. Unlike tennis, which requires covering a large court, pickleball's smaller playing area makes it more manageable for people of all ages and skill levels.
A sport for everyone
Pickleball has been steadily growing in popularity, with courts replacing tennis courts at resorts and communities across North America. Sawatzky sees its appeal as a sport that brings generations together. "Seniors are playing it. Young kids are playing it. And kids are playing with seniors. It’s a multigenerational, mixed-gender sport. It’s just easy to play and very addicting."
Since 2018, Altona has offered pickleball at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre. The sport has expanded in recent years, with an 18+ league running on Monday nights and a youth program through the recreation department. "The 18+ program is in its second year, and the youth program has also been going for two years now," Sawatzky says.
The first Altona pickleball tournament
This year marks the town’s first-ever pickleball tournament, which Sawatzky helped organize. "We had 12 teams—24 players—five of which were mixed-gender teams," he shares. "Some players were new to the sport, while others, like myself, have been playing for seven or eight years."
The tournament featured a mix of ability levels and was well received. "We had a lot of positive feedback, and they want to do it again," Sawatzky says. The event followed a double-knockout format, ensuring that each team had at least two chances to play before elimination.
Looking ahead, he plans to introduce a singles tournament in April when play moves to the curling club. "It’s a younger sport because you have to cover the entire court by yourself," Sawatzky notes.
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The future of pickleball in Altona
With schools such as Parkside School and W.C. Miller Collegiate incorporating pickleball into their programming, the sport continues to grow. However, one of the biggest challenges is finding enough space to play.
"We have painted lines on the town’s three tennis courts, so they’re also dual-purpose for pickleball," Sawatzky says. "But outdoor play is limited by the wind, and indoor play at the Pioneer Centre is restricted during the holiday season."
To address this, the community will move its courts to the curling club in April. "That’ll be a much better facility with higher ceilings, and we’ll have access for as long as we want," Sawatzky explains. He believes this move will attract even more players.
How to get involved
For those interested in trying pickleball, Sawatzky encourages them to reach out. "Contact the recreation department, and we’ll set up an afternoon or evening clinic for newcomers," he says. "We want new people to come in, and I guarantee nine out of ten will be back—if not ten out of ten—because it’s a lot of fun!"
With files from Zack Driedger