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Ten-year-old pickleball player embraces the sport in qathet

Youthful enthusiast unhappy about closure of racquet centre
Tanya Hill
Tanya Hill

Fraser Blacklaws might be the youngest pickleball player in qathet, but that hasn't stopped the 10-year-old from vigorously taking on the sport full throttle.

The typical age of a pickleball player in North America was thought to be a person of retirement age, but that norm has changed.

The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) found that more than 70 per cent of avid pickleball players are now between the ages of 18 and 44. But, that still leaves a big age gap for players such as Fraser to find peers to play with. He regularly plays pickleball at Powell River Racquet Centre with his dad Brydon and whoever else he can take on.

"I was really into the hard-hitting game," said Fraser. "But my coach Barb taught me how to use the softer ball and to lob it."

Pickleball players can choose to use a soft or hard ball depending on how intense of a game one wants to play.

"Hit hard, hit hard, hit hard," said Fraser, explaining one technique he has learned from his coach. "My classmates/friends like hockey and swimming, but they have to travel so often." 

For Fraser, pickleball is accessible, portable and fun.

Brydon said Westview Elementary School, which Fraser attends, did have a coach come in and teach pickleball, but there wasn't very much uptick by students afterward.

"I'm not happy the racquet centre is closing," said Fraser. "But, I have a court in my backyard."

Brydon said he built an indoor court for Fraser inside a garage they have in the back of their house, but they hope another indoor space can be found in the city. 

The Peak reported earlier this month that the racquet centre will close its doors for good on February 8, leaving those who play tennis, pickleball and badminton without a facility.

"We're trying to get some pickleball courts at Westview [elementary]," said Fraser. "That would be cool."

Fraser also mentioned he achieved one of his goals, to play in a pickleball tournament. 

"I played one here and one in Sechelt," said Fraser. 

The Peak has also reported that qathet Pickleball Association is seeking up to one acre of land in the vicinity of Powell River Recreation Complex to build a dedicated pickleball facility.

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