Leah Schulting, executive director of the South Okanagan Canadian Mental Health Association handed out medals at the Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health on Sunday. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

The men’s doubles final at the Penticton Pickleball Tournament for Mental Health drew 170 athletes from across BC and raised $30K for mental health. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Vig Matthew, 40, and Chris Cassis, 39, of Kamloops took gold in men’s doubles saying they loved the tournament. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

A father and his 14-year-old son are from Fort. St John and played against locals Don and 82 year old Yuurge, in the men’s doubles. (Sent)

The Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament was not only a huge success raising over $30,000, but also brought together over 170 Pickleball athletes of all ages from Squamish and Vancouver Island to the Okanagan.

A father and his 14 year old son came all the way from Fort St. John to participate in the tournament. They were playing against an 82 year old man and his partner in the same division.

A Kamloops pair in their late 30s took gold in the men’s doubles event. This was their first year playing Pickleball and said they loved the tournament and would return.

The turnout was also impressive, with the bleachers filled to witness the excitement that took place from Friday to Sunday on the Seniors Drop-In Center pitch.

Members of the Penticton Pickleball Club referee and organize the tournament schedule.

“We are very happy with the results of this tournament. We had more sponsors this year, more players, a total of 170 people coming from all over British Columbia,” said Leah Schulting, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of South Okanagan.

South Okanagan Counseling was also there with a booth over the weekend.

The tournament features men’s doubles, mixed doubles and women’s doubles. Gold, silver and bronze winners took to the podium to compete for medals.

“It was a great weekend, with great support from the community, the Penticton Pickleball Club and many sponsors,” said Schulting.

This is the second year that the local chapter of CHMA has held this tournament but it certainly won’t be the last, he continued.

Vig Matthew and Chris Cassis came from Kamloops to play and win men’s doubles. This is their first year playing Pickleball.

“I was just coming back from an injury and I saw all the older people playing Pickleball, so I thought it would be an easy sport to play. The first day I showed up and got my ass kicked and from then on I was hooked,” said Matthew as he stood at the podium.

Mental health