The River City Pickleball Classic began Friday in Mason City, Iowa, with over 300 players arriving from six states and Mexico. Despite rain delays, participants filled the courts, marking the largest turnout in the tournament’s history and bringing a big boost to the local economy.
Tournament Unites Pickleball Enthusiasts
Players kicked off the first day of the River City Pickleball Classic with strong energy, even as early rain caused brief delays. The event drew participants from around the country, turning Mason City into a hub for the growing sport.
Jeff Kaplan from Cedar Falls explained the spirit of the sport:
“We’re all trying to help each other grow the sport because one thing pickleball is about, it’s about community.”
Yvonne Van De Camp, also from Cedar Falls, added:
“You just go open, you find a good game, you find your friends, you find new people to play with. It’s very inclusive. Everybody can play.”
Kaplan also highlighted pickleball’s fast learning curve compared to tennis:
“It will take you two, three, maybe even four years to become a really competent tennis player. In three months, you can be playing pickleball and playing in tournaments, even if you haven’t ever picked a pickleball paddle before.”
Event Continues to Grow in Size and Impact
The River City Pickleball Classic has expanded every year. Mandi Pralle, president of the Mason City Pickleball Club, said the tournament has built a strong reputation.
“Each year it’s gotten bigger and bigger. Our reputation is a tournament that runs really smoothly, our location is great, it’s a great facility. So it’s taken a long time to get there, but it’s really a great feeling.”
Mason City itself benefits greatly from the tournament’s success. Pralle noted:
“The past five or six years, the Mason City Pickleball Classic has won the tourism award with Mason City because of the amount of people we’re bringing in that weekend from all over.”
Looking Ahead to a Bigger Future
The tournament will continue throughout the weekend, and organizers hope to build on this year’s momentum. As participation rises, so does interest in the city, helping both pickleball and Mason City grow together.
News in Brief: River City Pickleball Classic
The River City Pickleball Classic began Friday in Mason City with 300 players from six states and Mexico. Despite early rain, courts were packed. Organizers say the tournament keeps growing each year and is now a major tourism event. The action continues through the weekend.
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