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A "friendly" holiday season
Kudos to the local players (including Cody Barbeau, Kim Brent, Evelyn Eldridge and Samir Bhatnagar) who spent time over the holidays welcoming actor and recent author Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing from TV show "Friends") to the RA Centre pickleball courts. It looks like he had a great time with these friendly "hosts", and hopefully he'll continue to play pickleball and perhaps he now has a reason to visit Ottawa more frequently!
The US OPEN is ‘open’ to ALL players. No qualifying events needed. However, because of the high demand, they created the US OPEN Registration Lottery in 2019. It worked out great and took a lot of pressure off players trying to enter the minute registration opened.
The US Open takes place in Naples Florida,April 15 — 22, 2023!
NOTE: the Association régionale de pickleball de l'Outaouais (ARPO) is also holding a large provincial pickleball tournamebnt at the Centre sportif de gatineau on April 29 and 30, 2023, so it is possible to play both US open and Gatineau!
DATES & TIMES
All times are Eastern
January 2 — 6, 2023
General Registration Lottery Period
You may register ANY time during the General Registration period. Priority IS NOT given according to when you register!
You MUST indicate a partner for all doubles events at the time of registration.
Payment not required until confirmation email sent
On January 20, lottery winners will be notified by email that their name was chosen.
By January 24, lottery winners must have submitted payment or risk losing their US Open spot.
Starting January 25, alternate teams will be invited to replace the lottery winners who did not pay by the deadline.
Kenwood Athletic Club - membership sale & introduction to pickleball workshops
Membership sale ends at 11:59pm tonight (Saturday December 31)
Save up to $180 on your Kenwood Athletic Club (78 Edward, Arnprior) membership from December 26 to December 31. Discount offer ends at 11:59pm on Saturday December 31.
Follow link below and take advantage today: click on "Contracts/Packages" and pick the membership of your choice.
Introduction to Pickleball workshops (Tuesdays and Saturdays) - beginning Saturday January 7
The Kenwood now has at least 3 IPTPA certified instructors, and is offering"Intro to Pickleball" ($179 + HST) workshops. You can choose one of the below options:
Saturdays 9am-12pm (Saturday January 7, 14, 21, and 28) (total of 12 hours)
or
Tuesdays 6pm-9pm (Tuesday January 10, 17, 24, and 31) (total of 12 hours)
Pickleball Courts for Rent (for OPA members only) The OPA offers a limited number of single pickleball courts available for rent by its members. OPA members can invite any other active OPA members to play with them. Non-OPA members are not allowed to participate (insurance reasons)
To view the list of single pickleball courts available, look for "'SINGLE COURT USAGE" on the OPA website, or click the link below. New courts are added regularly, so check back frequently if this interests you.
Below are some of the local options (I am probably missing some)
1. RA Centre (2451 Riverside Drive)
2. Kenwood Athletic Club (78 Edward South, Arnprior)
3. Kingston Pickleball Club (1150A Gardiners Road, Kingston) if in transit between southern Ontario and Ottawa/Gatineau
CITY OF OTTAWA FACILITIES
Re-confirm the pickleball schedule and book your pickleball timeslot directly with the recreation centre: https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-facilities/place-listing
https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-facilities/place-listing?place_facets%5B0%5D=place_type%3A4208
Local player Ted's website also makes it easy to find pickleball drop in at City of Ottawa facilities: https://zero-zero-today.vercel.app/
4. NEPEAN SPORTSPLEX (WOODROFFE/HUNT CLUB)
Nepean Sportplex will have pickleball:
Mon Jan 2 at 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, and 3:15pm
Wed Jan 4 at 12:45pm and 2pm
Fri Jan 6 at 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm and 3:15pm
MINTO RECREATION COMPLEX (CAMBRIAN/GREENBANK IN BARRHAVEN)
Minto (Barrhaven) will have pickleball:
Monday January 2 at 11:45am, 1250pm, 155pm, and 3pm
Tuesday January 3 at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm
Saturday January 7 at 5:30pm. 6:35pm, and 7:40pm
RICHCRAFT (KANATA, INNOVATION DRIVE)
Richcraft Complex in Kanata will offer pickleball:
Thurs Jan 5 at 630pm and 730pm
Sat Jan 7 at 12:30pm, 1:30pm
HINTONBURG (WELLINGTON WEST)
I am not sure about Hintonburg
EVA JAMES (KANATA)
Eva James will be open January 3 - January 8, and will have pickleball: Tuesday at 1:15pm and 2:15pm, Wednesday 915am and 1015am, Thursday 1:15pm and 2:15pm, Friday 9:15am and 10:15am, and Saturday 10:30am and 11:30am
CARDELREC (GOULBOURN/STITTSVILLE)
CardelREC will offer pickleball:
Mon Jan 2 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm
Tues Jan 3 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm
Wed Jan 4 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm
Thurs Jan 5 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm
Fri Jan 6 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm
GREENBORO
No pickleball during holiday break at Greenboro, given kids' camps.
OVERBROOK (QUILL STREET, OFF VANIER PARKWAY)
No pickleball at Overbrook as the centre is closed December 23 to January 4. Pickleball will resume on January 9.
FRANCOIS DUPUIS RECREATION CENTRE (PORTOBELLO / BRIAN COBURN IN ORLEANS) Francois Dupuis has alot of pickleball over the holidays. See picture below and/or view the website.. www.ottawa.ca/fdrc
Reminder: Pickleball Canada memberships expire on December 31
If you are a member of Pickleball Canada, note that your annual membership expires today, December 31, 2022.
https://pickleballcanada.org/
If you want to know the member benefits of joining Pickleball Canada, click the below: https://pickleballcanada.org/membership/membership-benefits/
Reminder: RA winter pickleball leagues
If you expressed an interest in the RA winter pickleball leagues, you should be hearing from the RA soon.
You may have received an email or a voicemail requesting payment if you submitted a request to play in a league. Be sure to contact the RA as soon as possible to submit payment or you could lose your spot in the league.
MORE INFORMATION
More information on the leagues and other pickleball programs at the RA Centre can be viewed online at: https://www.racentre.com/pickleball.html
Reminder: RA winter pickleball clinics
Clinics - NEW FOR WINTER 2023. Some of these may be sold out by now, so check with the RA on availability.
Intro to Pickleball Clinics
These 4-week clinics are a great place to start as you enter the world of Pickleball. 1 hour of coaching/week for four weeks in which you will learn basic shots, rules of the game and get information on equipment. We supply paddles and balls for these clinics. You provide energy and enthusiasm. Come dressed to move - comfortable workout clothing, non-marking runners and a water bottle.
Tues, Jan 10-31 9:00am-10:00am 4063 Wed, Jan 11-Feb 01 9:00am-10:00am 4064 Sat, Jan 14-Feb 04 9:00am-10:00am 4065 Sat, Jan 14-Feb 04 1:00pm-2:00pm 4066 Sun, Jan 15-Feb 05 4:00pm-5:00pm 4071 Tues, Feb 07-Feb-28 9:00am-10:00am. 4067 Wed, Feb 08-Mar 01 9:00am-10:00am 4068 Thur, Feb 09-Mar 02 9:00am-10:00am 4069 Sat, Feb 11-Mar 04 9:00am-10:00am 4070
FEE: $100
Level 2 Pickleball Clinics
These 4-week clinics will keep building and expanding on the drills and skills foundation from the Intro Course. Drills will cover the third shot drop shot, volleying, lobbing and overhead shot making. Strategy and teamwork will be stressed and developed. It is not necessary to have taken the Intro Session.
Thursday, January 02- February 02 9:00am-10:00am 4072 Saturday, February 11 - March 04 1:00pm-2:00pm 4073 Sunday February 12 - March 05 4:00pm-5:00pm 4074
FEES: $100
Advanced Pickleball Clinic with KIM BRENT
The RA Centre is proud to offer pickleball clinics for upper levels players with instructor Kim Brent from TEAM SELKIRK. Kim is a current national pickleball champion at the highest skill level, and has been for two years. She is a PPR Professional Pickleball Certified Instructor. . Find out how she wins so many gold medals with these advanced clinics.
Sunday March 26 to April 23 4:00pm-5:00pm 4075 (no class Easter Sunday - Apr. 9)
FEE: $100
Reminder: City of Ottawa pickleball programs
The City of Ottawa winter pickleball programs (instructional programs, and play-only programs) opened for registration a few weeks ago. Many of these may now be sold out.
NOTE: these are not the "pickleball drop in" activities offered at many community/recreational centres, which are offered weekly on a first come first serve basis. These programs are multi-week pickleball programs where you purchase the entire session (several weeks long) in advanced and are guaranteed a spot each week.
Fallingbrook Elementary School (Deancourt / Orleans) pickleball instruction Saturdays 1pm-2pm (Code 36189) (all ages), 16 spots available
Saturdays 2pm-3pm (Code 36190), age 50+, 16 spots available
Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre (Portobello / Orleans) pickleball instruction Tuesdays 840am-940am (Code 32594), 12 spots available, January 10 - February 16
Tuesdays 840am-940am (Code 38252), 12 spots available, February 21 - March 28
Thursdays 120pm-220pm (Code 32595), 12 spots available, January 12 - February 18
Thursdays 120pm-220pm (Code 38270), 12 spots available, February 23 - March 30
Sundays 1140am-1240pm (Code 38230), 12 spots available, January 15 - January 29, 3 sessions only
Sundays 1140am-1240pm (Code 38233), 12 spots available, February 3 - February 26
Sundays 1140am-1240pm (Code 38235), 12 spots available, March 5 - March 26
Heron Road Community Centre pickleball instruction Tuesdays 1pm-2pm (Code 38009), 8 sessions, January 17 - March 7
Eva James Memorial Community Centre (Kanata/Stittsville) pickleball instruction Wednesdays 1045am-1145am (Code 34265), January 18 to February 8
Wednesdays 1045am-1145am (Code 34269), February 15 to March 8
Fisher Park Community Centre (Holland Avenue) - pickleball game play only (no instruction) Saturdays 1pm-230pm, January 14 to March 11, Code 37740
Saturdays 230pm-4pm, January 14 to March 11, Code 37742
Fallingbrook Elementary School (Deancourt / Orleans) - pickleball game play (no instruction) Sundays 9am-1030am, 16 spots available
January 15 - March 26, 10 sessions
Greenboro Community Centre - pickleball game play (no instruction) Wednesdays 11am-1230pm (Code 37216)
Tuesdays 830pm-10pm (Code 37199)
FITZROY HARBOUR - St Michael's School - 159 Kedey - pickleball game play (no instruction) Saturdays 11am-12pm
January 14 to March 4
Code 34162
DUPR pickleball rating system
There have been some developments recently that will likely start to bridge gaps in a fractured pickleball community, including:
The merger of Major League Pickleball and PPA Vibe League
The merger of the two major pickleball tournament registration websites (www.pickleballbrackets.comand www.pickleballtournaments.com) and their consolidation withwww.pickleball.com
The adoption of DUPR as the official rating system used by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)
There are several different rating systems out there, but given the consolidation happening to simplify the pickleball community right now, I expect players and leagues/tournaments will gravitate towards only 1 or 2 rating systems given how confusing it is to have different ratings from different websites. I expect DUPR to become the most popular (if it isn't already) rating system used by pickleball tournaments, leagues, clubs and pickleball "decision makers / gatekeepers" to estimate and verify skill levels of players. I believe that a growing number of tournaments will share their results with DUPR and it will become the "go to" rating system for pickleball
Examples where having a DUPR rating may help you
In some places you may travel to, some courts are segmented by skill level - and you may not be allowed to play on a specific court if you don't meet a minimum skill level. Having a DUPR rating can help you demonstrate your skill based on past pickleball results.
In local venues, pickleball decision makers may be grouping players by skill level based on a subjective judgement or very short observation of your play. It is possible that a pickleball decision maker sees you on a day when you were injured, sick, or just not playing well. An evidence based DUPR rating (based on your playing history in tournaments, leagues, etc.) can be used to better group players by skill level, and give you evidence to support your own self-assessed skill level
Tournament directors are sometimes in a position to accept or reject players' requests to play in their preferred category to prevent "sandbagging" (intentionally playing in a category way lower than one's true skill level in order to achieve easy successful and/or qualify for a more prestigious tournament). On the other end of the spectrum, tournament directors may have to choose a limited number of players/teams and want to ensure that the best players are offered spots so everyone gets the best 'at level' playing experience. As someone who organizes tournaments myself, I will start to look at DUPR in situations where I may have to choose who gets into a specific event/category, and who may be asked to play in a different category (because they skill level is too high or too low)
If you are talking with potential players to pair up with in a tournament, they can check your DUPR rating and match results, and you can check theirs as well, to get a better sense of what type of a player they are so you are not surprised.
All this being said, and given my desire to better understand DUPR's methodology and algorithm, I am going to start using DUPR occasionally to record match results, including some future tournaments I will organize. I expect DUPR will be the de facto "go to" rating system, so I am going to get on board now and hopefully Ottawa/Gatineau players can be ready with evidence based ratings when that day comes.
This is DUPR's response to a question i sent them by email:
The following tournaments are loaded automatically onto DUPR:
Tournaments that are posted by one of our data sources (we import all results posted by pickleballtournaments.com from July 2021 onwards)
Tournaments whose results are shared with DUPR by the tournament administration. DUPR will accept results from any and all entities that are willing to share
Results from events hosted directly on the DUPR Events platform
Results that are self-posted by the players who participated in the matches
"The DUPR rating system does not lose out on any information or data. They incorporate everything into their algorithm, making it the most accurate." - Ben Johns
Any/all pickleball matches (sanctioned and unsanctioned tournaments, ladders, leagues, recreational play) can be input into DUPR. The more data and more types of pickleball events get added, the more accurate DUPR ratings will be. It is a work in progress for sure. I am going to start using DUPR for some of the tournaments and group play I will organize in 2023, to provide participants with more evidence to support their pickleball rating.
The FAQ section of the DUPR website explains some of their methodology, and why they believe DUPR is the most accurate and reliable rating system. https://mydupr.com/
Some tournament players will already have a DUPR profile created for them (without your knowledge), and I expect this will continue as DUPR becomes more widely adopted. If you are interested in checking it out....
Download the DUPR pickleball rating app and create your profile, be sure to add your city, province and age. Also, you will be prompted to CLAIM AN ACCOUNT. If you have been in a tournament before, you may already have a DUPR profile with your past tournament results.Check the list of people with the same name as you (if you use a different name for tournament registration, check that spelling too). You don't want some of your results to go under one DUPR profile and other results to be associated with a duplicate profile; you want everything properly consolidated under your single profile.
Reminder: Ottawa Sport and Social Club adds pickleball!
Another multi-sport Ottawa organization has added pickleball to its list of offerings - the Ottawa Sport and Social Club!
It will run Friday evenings from 6pm-8pm at Lester B Pearson High School on Ogilvie Road between Blair Road and Montreal Road. It will start on Friday January 20, with 12 weeks of pickleball play.
Dates:
Friday January 20 and 27
Friday February 3, 10, 17, and 24
Friday March 3, 10, 24, and 31
Friday April 14 and 21
OSSC Pickleball Format
OSSC Pickleball is based on a drop-in style format. Your partner and opponent will be different for each game. Players join an open game as the courts become available. You can stay and play the full amount of time, or ‘drop-in’ at your leisure in the allotted time. OSSC does not use a ranking system to indicate the different skill level of its members, nor does it use a system to impose time limits on matches. Rather, OSSC uses the "honour system" to keep track of who is next up to play. Be courteous by allowing players that have not had a chance to play or warm up to do so. No consecutive matches amongst teams or individuals.
Reminder: Brockville - Pickleball Clinics - Saturday January 21
National champion Kim Brent returns to Stingers and the Brockville Racquet Club on Saturday January 21 with her clinics:
12pm - 2pm: Skill 3.0 and below ($75)
Warm up, dinking, 3rd shot drop, transitioning from back court to front court; and in the final 30 minute, play games with Kim and the group.
2pm-4pm: Skill 3.5 and above ($75)
Warm up, dinking, 3rd shot drop, transitioning from back court to front court; and in the final 30 minute, play games with Kim and the group.
Want to spend your holiday cash on pickleball stuff?
In my experience, employees at local sports shops don't know anything about pickleball or the pickleball products they sell, and the stores have very limited selection of paddles (and often they are on the lower price range/lower quality side of things). We have a few local reps of major pickleball companies close to Ottawa Ottawa who can give advice on their pickleball products; many of these individuals have demo paddles that you can actually try out before making a purchase.
SELKIRK:
Cody (has demos, and sells directly from his paddle inventory) at: codybarbeau@gmail.com
Kim (has demos; promo code ADV-KBRENT used at selkirk.com will get you 20% back in gift cards) at:strategicpickleball@gmail.com
Kelli (has demos, Frontenac/Godfrey counties):kattgrrrl@gmail.com
OLIVER SPORT:
Carlos at:carlos@oliver-sport.ca
https://www.oliver-sport.ca/
ENGAGE:
Matt: m.kawamoto@live.ca
Matt has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
GEARBOX
Bill: billfranksimon@gmail.com (ask him about discount codes)
VULCAN:
Ravi at: ravipickleball@gmail.com
MANTA/HUDEF pickleball and ACACIA shoes
Luc at: luc@corepickleball.com
Website: https://corepickleball.square.site/
TMPR:
Michael at: michael@pickleballstrokes.ca Website: https://pickleballstrokes.ca/shop/
Michael has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
PROLITE:
Sara at: teamprolite@prolitesports.com https://pickleball.atomconnects.com/
Sara has discount codes for Tyrol shoes.
YONEX Yonex (very well known in badminton community) will be introducing pickleball paddles in Canada in early 2023; these will be available through Capital Sport at the RA Centre. tedhthompson@rogers.com
ONIX:
Ted at: tedhthompson@rogers.com
ROKNE Chad Valcour out of Brockville has ROKNE pickleball paddle demos if you want to try one, and the discount code CHADV10 will save you a few dollars. https://roknepickleball.com/?sca_ref=2744552.uNSIaB1EAM
Reminder: UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Laval Quebec -Tennis 13 - PB Sport Challenge events
Saturday January 21, 2023: mixed doubles
Saturday February 18, 2023: mens doubles/womens doubles
TORONTO OPEN - early 2023 Details to be announced soon on Pickleball Brackets
Brockville - Saturday January 28
Fundraiser for new Brockville Pickleball courts (Memorial Centre)
$25 per player. See photo above for details!
There are some spaces still available, especially for novice / newer players earlier in the day on Saturday January 28.
Syracuse NY - January 27 to 29, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?cpg=e&eid=e1618592-31b5-429f-bb2e-a22c77354d7c
US OPEN (Naples Florida) - April 15 to 22, 2023 https://www.usopenpickleballchampionship.com/
Gatineau Quebec - April 29 and 30, 2023 Organized by the Association régionale de pickleball de l'Outaouais (ARPO and being held at the Centre sportif de gatineau.
Niagara on the Lake - June 10 and 11, 2023 https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=b014b92c-9e03-4980-81b1-42760391d602
Regina Saskatchewan - Pickleball Canada National Championships - August 23-27, 2023
FACEBOOK GROUP FOR LOCAL TOURNAMENTS Join the below Facebook group to help keep track of local tournaments: PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS QUEBEC/ONTARIO
If you are a facebook user, you may also want to join the below group: OTTAWA/GATINEAU PICKLEBALL PLAYERS
