WHAT’S HAPPENING October 2024: |
|
|
In this Issue... Firefighter Pickleball Battle Practice Backboard Halloween Chili Feed New CSPA T-Shirts Places to Play in the Winter Months “View from the Kitchen" – a Pickleball Humor Blog by Tim Jones
|
|
|
Firefighters Battle (Despite the Rain) |
|
|
Twenty-four teams from Seattle to Bellingham converged on the Camano pickleball courts on September 14 to compete in the inaugural Firefighter Pickleball Battle. Structured as a ladder tournament, two brackets of teams competed in the morning and afternoon for bragging rights while everyone in attendance had the opportunity to participate in a raffle for a number of terrific prizes offered by local merchants and individual donors. While the afternoon players brushed off a persistent drizzle on their way up the ladder, buoyed by fierce competition and jovial trash-talking, the real winner on Saturday was the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, for which the event raised over $8,000 to support burn survivors and burn injury prevention. View more event photos |
|
|
Where did the practice backboard go? |
|
|
You may have noticed the big green practice backboard is no longer at the Camano Courts. The Board of Directors voted to move it to the North side, as it blocked the low winter sun and caused extended icy conditions on court 6. However, upon closer inspection, the backboard was found to be in poor condition. The equipment committee is now redesigning and building a replacement. Stay tuned for the new practice backboard! |
|
|
Halloween Open Play Chili FeedOctober 26, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm |
|
|
Join us for the Annual Halloween Open Play Chili Feed!
Our CSPA Chili Chefs will be cooking up a variety of delicious chili. Costumes that are safe for pickleball play are encouraged. Please bring a side dish and come have some fun!
Sign up at: https://playtimescheduler.com/s/1458027 |
|
|
CSPA Members enjoying the 2023 Open Play Chili Feed |
|
|
New Performance T-Shirt Options |
|
|
Explore the new CSPA t-shirt options now available in the online store. Choose from Unisex Nike Dri-Fit long and short sleeve styles, or a Women's performance long sleeve option. See the entire CSPA apparel items at the CSPA Online Store |
|
|
Places to Play in the Winter Months |
|
|
We all know that playing outdoors during the cold, wet winter months can be problematic, as the courts get slippery and the thermometer drops. Our long-term goal is to partner with either the City of Stanwood or Island County to create outdoor covered courts. But that will likely be a few years off, if it ever materializes. In the meantime, your two best options for finding covered courts during the winter months are the Stanwood YMCA and the Blackburn Pavilion in Mount Vernon. At the YMCA, There are three indoor wood courts, in the main gymnasium where the basketball courts are located. The Y has created permanent pickleball court lines, and portable nets are available. A YMCA membership is required to play, but if you are a senior, many Medicare Advantage plans include free membership to the Y. Pickleball times (subject to change) are currently Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 6:30 and 9:30am; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 1pm, and Sundays from noon to 2pm. |
|
|
For perhaps more playing time options, if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, consider the Blackburn Pickleball Pavilion at 2727 E College Way, Mount Vernon, on the campus of Skagit Valley College. While still outdoors, these courts are completely covered, well lit, and are in outstanding condition. |
|
|
There are ten courts in all, with fencing to separate the courts. And the courts are dedicated exclusively to pickleball. So, no confusing tennis court lines to contend with.The Blackburn facility offers extensive playing time options seven days a week. A few of the courts are open to the public with limited hours, but the majority of time, you must be a member of Skagit Valley Pickleball (SVP). Annual memberships cost $45 per person with memberships renewing every January. Like our club, SVP uses Playtime Scheduler to register for a court time. To learn more about the Blackburn Pickleball Pavilion, visit their website. |
|
|
View from the Kitchen – a Pickleball Humor Blog by Tim Jones |
|
|
Four Signs Pickleball Might Not Be Your Sport |
|
|
As someone who is not particularly athletically gifted, I know a thing or two about losing. After years of failing to make significant improvement in countless sports, from golf to basketball to skiing to couch surfing, I’ve concluded that my primary function in most friendly competitions is to make my opponent feel much better about their own athletic prowess by comparison. I’m very good at this. KEEP READING… |
|
|
Paddles up and Let's Play!- Communications Team: Lynne, Theresa, Alene, Tim and Brenda G! |
|
|
|
|
