Saanich Parks tennis co-ordinator Dean Gillis juggles tennis, squash, badminton and table tennis racquets, all of which will be put to good use in this year’s Racquetlon tournament at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
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ShareQuite the racquet
By Vivian Moreau - Victoria News
Published: October 10, 2008 6:00 AM
“Table tennis isn’t my strength,” says the man coming the auditorium gym door at Cedar Hill Rec Centre.
“Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out,” his buddy says.
It’s a Sunday evening, a time when most people are at home having dinner with their families. But at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, men and women, some older, some in their 20s, are making a steady stream through the door. They’re here to tighten up their table tennis game. And their badminton game. And their squash and tennis games.
They’re prepping for the third annual Racketlon tournament, set for this Friday (Oct. 10) through Sunday at Cedar Hill Rec. Organized by District of Saanich’s chief tennis organizer, Dean Gillis, the tournament draws racquet fans from all over North America and as far away as the U.K.
“Stamina is the secret and being able to change within the racquet sports,” said Gillis, explaining that competitors play up to 21 games in each of four racquet sports before comparing scores to move up in the draw. “You start with table tennis, then badminton, squash and tennis. You get a couple of minutes break then towel off and go on to the next one.”
Gillis discovered the hybrid racquet event a few years back while cruising the Internet and decided Cedar Hill could host such a tournament.
Two other events are held in Canada during the year, in Toronto and Montreal.
The Cedar Hill tourney has attracted more than 100 competitors in the past, each of whom competes in one of three levels offered. Dubbed the Pacific Rim Open, the tournament is part of a world-wide network that attracts once-serious athletes.
“A lot of people who aren’t competing at a high level in sport anymore go into this and can have fun in all of them,” Gillis said. Unlike traditional sporting tournaments, he said, there is a lot of laughter on the courts and he personally finds it fun to watch players weave their way through the four racquet disciplines.
To register or find out more information, go to www.pacificrimopen.com.
vmoreau@saanichnews.com
