Welcome to the January 20th edition of the Vancouver Island Newsletter, supported by Title Partner, Owen Williams-Raymond James.

What a weekend, weather-wise on the Island! ☀️ We hope everyone was able to sneak in some brisk, outdoor play, wherever you are located. We stopped by Queen Margaret’s School on a sunny Saturday for Day 1 of their Winter Rally tournament.

Update: Did you catch our ‘crushed’ paddle core story from the past week? 🏓 The release was picked up and featured across Black Press Media’s network, CBC-Radio, and CTV Vancouver. CTV’s coverage features input from Pickleball BC president David Snell, in addition to Shawnigan Lake Pickleball Club director, Leanne Schultz.

On the pro circuit, the PPA Masters took place at Mission Hills Country Club in California, and Nike has officially entered the pickleball world with the signing of World No. 1, Anna Leigh Waters. 📝

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Winter Rally pickleball tournament wraps up in Cowichan Valley

The Cowichan Valley Winter Rally tournament, a two-day event hosted by North Cowichan Pickleball Club, took place over the weekend at Queen Margaret’s School. Women’s, men’s, and mixed division’s competed for podium finishes across nine divisions, with players hailing from across Vancouver Island. 

READ MORE

• Forbes: PPA Masters 2026 Recap
  Read more at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddboss/2026/01/19/anna-leigh-waters-celebrates-new-sponsorships-with-40th-triple-crown-at-pro-pickleball-association-masters/

• Hundreds to play pickleball for 24 hours for Edmonton Lung charity fundraiser
  Read more at: https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/video/2026/01/17/hundreds-to-play-pickleball-for-24-hours-for-charity-fundraiser/

• Meet Nike's next big thing: Anna Leigh Waters, 18, signs sports giant's first ever pickleball deal
  Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/meet-nike-s-next-big-thing-anna-leigh-waters-18-signs-sports-giant-s-first-ever-pickleball-deal/ar-AA1UcFs7?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1

Opportunities to Play

Upcoming Events

• 🏓 The Forge Open: Rally for Recovery 2026 - Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2026 - More Info

• 🏓 9th Annual Comox Valley Pickleball Tournament - May 2, 2026 -

  Registration opens April 2, 2026. More info to come.

• 🏓 Pickleballooza: Women’s Rally Social - June 10, 2026 - Registration Open

  
  (Contact us to have your region or event listed)

About Vancouver Island Pickleball

Vancouver Island Pickleball celebrates the growth and diversity of the Island’s pickleball community, sharing stories, updates, and resources that showcase the people, places, and passion driving the sport forward. With a vibrant social media presence and dynamic coverage, VIPB connects local and visiting players alike, highlighting the Island as a destination where pickleball and community thrive together.

Are you a player, club, business, or organization with a passion for pickleball? Reach out to us at [email protected]!