(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Pickleball Nationals

Local pickleball athlete feeling confident ahead of National Championships

Aug 17, 2023 | 12:22 PM

In less than a week, the best pickleball athletes from across the country will be in Regina to compete for the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship.

Over the course of five days, more than 600 athletes will battle it out in various age groups from as young as 16 up to 75, with competition including men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Devin Gorder is one of a handful of Prince Albert pickleballers registered to play in the tournament where he said he’s got high hopes for himself ahead of his first Canadian Championships.

“I’m feeling good, I’m excited,” he said. “It’s a big one for Saskatchewan. You’ll see people down there that have played professionally or who are very very skilled. This is my first National tournament – I’ve played in provincials, I’ve played in Western Canadians in Medicine Hat and now Nationals in Regina which isn’t too far away.”

Gorder took home silver at the Western Canadian Championships last month, where nearly 600 athletes were taking part. Having also competed in other tournaments already this year, Gorder said that Nationals will be a step up from what he’s used to.

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“It’ll be a big difference,” he said. “There will be better players there of course from across the country and not just from one part. I’m pretty sure in one of my groups there’s a couple of guys from Ottawa, so I’m excited.”

The National Pickleball Championships kickoff from the Viterra International Trade Centre, or the Queen City Pickleball Hub, in Regina on Wednesday where National Champions will be crowned on Sunday, August 27^th.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann