Local Pickleballers Already Planning for August’s Founders Tournament
With the game now firmly ensconced as the official sport of Washington State, local Pickleballers are moving forward on another front: again putting together plans to hold the much anticipated “Founders Tournament ” at Battle Point Park this coming August.
The tourney, now in its third year, draws players from far and wide to Bainbridge Island. Typically, there are clinics and special events held throughout the week-long event, which will be held from Aug. 10-14.
Early registration for the tournament opened on April 16th at the official site, click here for details. Organizers recommend that potential registrants use the Chrome Browser (not Safari or Edge) and a laptop or PC to complete their registration. “Mobile devices and tablets can be unreliable,” noted Bill Covert, a Bainbridge pickleballer helping to stage this year’s event.
Covert said that in order to participate in the August tournament, players “will need to be a member of the US Pickleball Association.” To set up an account or renew a membership visit the USPA site website.
Rise Pickleball is again offering two-day instructional camps during the tournament, Covert said. “That’s 10 total hours of personal, on-court instruction with Head Pro Instructor, Rob Davidson,” he added. “This special camp is limited to 40 students, but is expected to have five pro instructors!” You can find more information and registration at the Rise Pickleball website.
As in the past, the Founders Tournament will be sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum in cooperation with the Bainbridge Island Pickleball Community. Proceeds from the tourney and the sale of merchandise will benefit the museum.
Although the official schedule of events hasn’t been formally released yet, the tournament is expected to have a similar line-up of competition and activities such as clinics and exhibitions, men’s and women’s doubles events, along with mixed doubles, and most likely a repeat of the popular Wooden Paddle Classic.
Last year’s tournament drew nearly 400 competitors during its week-long run despite temperatures in the 90s and occasional thick smoke from Canadian forest fires, and separately raised $10,000 for the Bainbridge Island Metro Parks District, which, in partnership with local pickleballers, built the eight Founders Courts at Battle Point Park.
If you are interested in volunteering at this year’s event, please visit: https://founderstournament.com/volunteer
To read about last year’s tournament or to learn more about the sport, see below:
Home of the Pickleball Game Hosts Another Successful Founders Tournament | THE ISLAND WANDERER
Born on Bainbridge Island – Pickleball is for Everyone! | THE ISLAND WANDERER
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