The third annual Orca Pickleball Spring Classic took place from June 6 to June 8, 2025, at Whatcom Community College in Washington. The pickleball event attracted 327 players and raised money to support the Whatcom Community College athletics program through scholarships, equipment, and coaching needs.
Pickleball Tournament Helps College Athletics
Hosted in partnership with the Bellingham Pickleball Club, the tournament welcomed players from across Washington and British Columbia. It included divisions for skill levels ranging from 2.5 (novice) to 4.5, giving both new and experienced players a chance to compete.
Canadian Players Join the Fun
Many participants traveled from Canada, including 54 players from British Columbia. Among them were Karra Harvey and Braden Nakonechny, who won gold in the mixed doubles 2.5/novice division. The pair started playing pickleball in December 2024.
“I’m a big fan of pickleball,” said Karra Harvey. “I think it has a huge future in both of our countries and for our youth. It’s great to make friendships and connections that you wouldn’t normally have.”
Karra Harvey added, “We have a thriving pickleball club in Abbotsford, but we don’t have a lot of tournaments, so we were happy to come to our friends across the border and try it out.”
Winners in the women’s doubles 2.5/novice division were Pam Christensen and Lisa Soper from Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. Lisa Soper said, “It’s a nice starting level and it’s also close to home, so it’s a nice atmosphere.”
Using DUPR to Make Matches Fair
The event used the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) to group players by skill level. This helped make matches more balanced, but ratings can be tricky if players only play locally.
Braden Nakonechny explained, “If you never leave Abbotsford, you’re only rating yourself against everybody in your little area. A 4.0 up there could be a six here.”
Still, many players enjoyed the wide range of competition and the welcoming environment.
“I love that it doesn’t matter if you are seven or 97, you can play on the same court and have a great time,” said Karra Harvey. “Us being new, we didn’t know what to expect and there was a little bit of everything.”
Growing the Game and Giving Back
The Orca Classic is more than a fun competition. It helps build support for student-athletes at Whatcom Community College by raising funds through entry fees and sponsorships. As pickleball continues to grow in both the U.S. and Canada, events like this one give new players a place to start while helping communities and schools thrive.
News in Brief: Orca Pickleball Spring Classic
The Orca Pickleball Spring Classic held June 6–8, 2025, at Whatcom Community College brought together 327 players from Washington and British Columbia. The event raised funds for WCC Athletics. Canadian teams won big in the novice brackets, and players praised the welcoming atmosphere and the use of DUPR skill ratings.
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