About Us

We are a registered non-profit society promoting the game and inclusive culture of pickleball for all ages and abilities on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Our mission includes finding ways to allow everyone to have access to courts in a fair and equitable way.

Since 2017, our club has introduced thousands of North Shore residents of all ages to pickleball and provided fun, inclusive and competitive play and community. As the voice of pickleball on the North Shore, we have advocated to all three local municipalities, successfully lobbying for more quality outdoor courts and more indoor play times at North Shore Recreation Centers. This includes:

  • 4 new courts open at Ambleside in 2024.
  • Two AED’s acquired for Little Cates and Murdo Frazer courts, training sponsored for several members in their use. 
  • The formation of an Advocacy Sub-committee to advance the construction of an all-weather pickleball hub.
  • 3800+ youth and 500+ teachers introduced to pickleball thanks to NSPC volunteers in our free school outreach program. 
  • Four permanent courts created at Little Cates Park and two at Myrtle Park to replace two lines-only courts in the East of Seymour neighbourhood. Read the NS News.
  • Five permanent courts created at Murdo Frazer Park in 2017. Read the NS News.
  • Four permanent courts at Mahon Park opened May 2020.
  • Club tournaments at Parkgate Community center benefitting KidSport and PADS.
  • Indoor winter play at St Thomas Aquinas School.
  • Hosted outdoor summer play with scheduled introductions to pickleball, round robins, skills and drills, level play and rotational play.

Our History

North Shore Pickleball began with the vision of Lilly and Ed Orlovsky. They spent winters in Arizona where pickleball was the game of choice, and they quickly fell in love with it. In 2007, Lilly and Ed lobbied Parkgate and West Vancouver Recreation centers for playing times where they played with three nets and hoped they would have enough players to fill the courts.

As people on the North Shore began to hear about pickleball, the game exploded. Lilly and Ed successfully lobbied Braithwaite, Gleneagles and Delbrook for indoor gym time. They also persuaded West Vancouver Parks to create three dedicated outdoor pickleball courts at 29th Street, and to add pickleball lines to District tennis courts as they were resurfaced.

By 2014 Patty Tougas and friends were also drawing lines on the practice area at Little Cates in order to play pickleball. Walter Knecht was asked to help and oversee the North Vancouver pickleball venues while Lilly and Ed continued to manage the West Vancouver venues. 

Walter introduced Picklemania, a one-day tournament at Parkgate, before going on to create and then become president of Pickleball BC.

Lifetime Members

In recognition of outstanding service to the NS Pickleball Community: Click on a name for their stories!