In less than a month, one of the most exciting fall events will take place with the first annual Weatherford Area Paddle Battle.
One of the fastest growing sports in the nation is pickleball and what better way to celebrate than a tournament here in western Oklahoma.
“It’s an older sport, but it is a new craze and it is the fastest growing sport in the world right now,” Weatherford Area Pickleball Association member Mac McCune said.
As many have seen locally, the sport continues to grow for all ages.
“It’s good fun for everybody. In this tournament we have skill sets of all kinds and people will be placed within their division,” Weatherford Area Pickleball Association member BJ McCurdy said.
Although pickleball seems like tennis or ping pong, the game has its own unique style.
“Take the size of a badminton court and drop the net. It’s like playing ping pong only the players are standing on the table which is the court.,” McCune said.
Along with the fun of playing the sport, pickleball offers a fun way to exercise without getting too exhausted since the court is not very large.
“Both of us have dropped a lot of weight playing pickleball and we don’t even notice that we are working out. We are just having fun,” McCurdy said.
The paddle battle begins October 21 with the youth and single division groups. October 22 is the men’s and women’s doubles and October 23 is the mixed doubles. Entry is $40 per person and $10 per event. Youth entry is $25.
Competitors also will have a chance to win prizes. Registration for this event ends October 11 for more information on how to register visit www. pickleballtournaments.com.
All proceeds for this event go to the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.
“All of the proceeds from the tournament are going toward the local school teachers. It looks like will be able to do some good for our teachers,” McCune said.