a match down 10-4 and came back to win 12-10.
We were lucky enough to play our last three
matches in the stadium court. I wish I could say there
were 5,000 people there to watch, but it was almost
midnight when we finished and there were just a few
friends and family. In the final we ended up losing two
out of three, but because we hadn’t been defeated, we
played one more game to 15. We ended up winning
15-9 and the gold medal. I had a smile on my face for
a week.
Pickleball has been one of the most positive
influences in my life. I have friends from all over
North America. I am keeping fit and laughing every
day. Life doesn’t get better than this.
Adele Cloete, 73,
Bronze Winner,
3.5/Singles
Growing up in sunny
South Africa, I was involved
in many sports, including
swimming, netball and
cross-country, but my
favorite was tennis. In
those days, we won silver
spoons and trophies.
At 32, I arrived in
Canada as a new immigrant and it was
difficult to transition to indoor tennis. It made me feel
claustrophobic. After many years adjusting to our new
life, I was in the gym six days a week cross training,
doing aerobics and power pacing.
Four years ago, I tried pickleball and was hooked.
After playing a few months, I entered a tournament
with May Johnston in Ladies’ Doubles 3.0 and won
silver. I was over the moon. I also volunteered to
teach the game at Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge
Leisure Center. I was then offered the Instructor/
Coach position, teaching pickleball at the Coquitlam
Rec Center.
After two years of competing in doubles and
winning medals, I decided to enter the singles
tournament for my 70th birthday, and won a bronze
in 3.0. I immediately moved to 3.5 after my first
singles 3.0 tournament, and after two years of singles
competing I entered my first Nationals tournament in
Indian Wells, CA. I arrived for check-in at 7 a.m., and
played my first game at 3:30 p.m. I played nine games
and finished my last game about 9:45 p.m. under the
stars and spotlights.
I felt I was dreaming as I stood on the podium
with my medal and Canadian flag. I’m so excited to
continue the journey in singles and I already have
the US Open in Naples, Florida, as my next entry.
I feel extremely blessed I’m able to do this and,
as long as these legs are moving, I will be on the
pickleball court. I’m 50 years married to my childhood
sweetheart, but also have this great “love affair” with
pickleball.
Becca Stuve
The Nationals in Indian Wells was such a fantastic
experience, from the open receptiveness of the
picklers to the inspiring pro players. About five years
ago, I started playing pickleball at the YMCA in Prince
George, British Columbia, with a very small group of
beginners. I find pickleball both relaxing, stimulating
and very social. You can challenge yourself playing
singles or share strategies and laughs with a partner.
I feel anyone can come out no
matter what age or skill level.
I found people were just as
friendly and approachable at the
Nationals as they are in any of
our local tournaments.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Kingston, Ontario, and the Kingston Pickleball Club will host the
2019 and 2020 Canadian National Pickleball Tournaments!
PLACES TO PLAY TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
www.pickleballcanada.org/places_to_play.php www.memberleap.com/members/calendar6c_responsive.php?org_id=PBCA
MEMBERS LOGIN LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER?
www.memberleap.com/members/mlogin.php?org_id=PBCA Check out the opportunities online at pickleballcanada.org.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 |
MAGAZINE
67