With 145 players hailing from Minnesota, Canada, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan, and Florida, the tournament showcases a diverse range of participants. Competitors aged eight to eighty will vie in singles and doubles events, highlighting the sport’s broad appeal. Tournament Director Mike Manger emphasized pickleball’s role in fostering community bonds. “It’s been really great,” Manger remarked. “Every time you come out the courts are full. There’s all ages, meeting people and having just a good time playing pickleball. You play pickleball with people you never thought you’d play with. Random strangers some days, some days it’s your best friends.”
Ensuring Safety and Enjoyment
Safety and enjoyment are paramount, especially under the summer sun. Pickleball player DyAnna Grondhal praised the tournament organizers for their efforts in ensuring player safety, highlighting the provision of ice packs and the creation of a unique ‘H2O Buffalo’ by Mike Manger to keep everyone hydrated. She also mentioned the availability of tents and shade, emphasizing the community’s commitment to taking care of each other, both teammates and opponents, to prevent injuries on the court.
“The team running the tournament has done a really good job providing ice packs, Mike [Manger] made a really cool ‘H2O Buffalo’ so we can all stay hydrated and then there’s tents and shade all around us. Just making sure to take care of each other, teammates and opponents, on the court so no one hurts themselves.” -(DyAnna Grondhal)
A Growing Sport with Future Plans
Pickleball’s popularity in Duluth is on the rise, and the Duluth summer slam pickleball tournament aims to sustain this momentum. Partnering with the City of Duluth, the event raises funds for court maintenance, ensuring the sport’s infrastructure keeps pace with its growing community. Organizers are already planning a similar tournament for the fall, promising more opportunities for engagement and competition.
The Duluth Summer Slam not only celebrates pickleball but also the sense of community it builds, making this inaugural event a resounding success.
News in Brief: Duluth Summer Slam Pickleball Tournament
The first annual Duluth Summer Slam Pickleball Tournament kicked off at Wheeler Athletic Complex, featuring 145 players from Minnesota and beyond, competing in various events.
Tournament Director Mike Manger highlighted pickleball’s role in building community. Safety measures, including ice packs and hydration stations, were praised by participants like DyAnna Grondhal. The event, in partnership with the City of Duluth, raises funds for court maintenance and plans to host another tournament in the fall. The tournament underscores pickleball’s growing popularity and the strong sense of community it promotes.
