Author: Estha Parg Murenbeeld

Tragically, a much-loved member of our community collapsed at the courts after a pickleball game and, despite immediate, competent and compassionate care by the people present, passed away.  Consequently the club has committed to being better prepared for any future emergencies.  Thought we’d share our process in case its of any use to another club.

Step 1: Purchase an AED

Why? According to a Health Canada, “Early access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation (1 to 3 minutes after cardiac arrest) is vital. These actions may increase the chance of survival by 75% or more.”

How Much? For $2000 we have purchased an AED that has visual and voice prompts that guide an untrained rescuer through CPR and the application of a shock, if necessary.  With the addition of a pelican case, the unit can be stored in an outside metal box in the high humidity of the Coast and in temperatures between 0 C and 170C.  That means we can keep it courtside during our May to October playing season.  Our mistake in the past was thinking we’d need to spend thousands more on a climate-controlled box. 

Who Can use It?  Until we have a better idea, the AED will be accessible to players during all hosted playing times and during public times while any club hosts are at the courts (as they know the combo lock code.)  We have posted signs indicating where the AED is located at our courts and at the neighbouring tennis courts and are considering adding signage with a phone number to allow for public access.

Paying For It?  We hope to benefit from the local municipal grant program designed to help local organizations purchase AED’s.   Our offers to partner with the local Parks department and tennis clubs have been rejected.  Luckily, we are a large club with the funds, but frankly, before this incident, people were already willing to donate towards an AED. 

Step 2: Get Members Trained in CPR/AED

The local Red Cross regularly offers a 4-6 hour course for $85.  We have offered to pay the fee for up to 10 members (at our 2 locations).   After experiencing this loss, many members are motivated to get the training and this should make the use of the AED more effective.

Step 3: Upgrade the First Aid Kits

We had a paramedic and pharmacist make suggestions on “must-haves” and “wish list” items.  They recommended this kit and actually donated one to the club.  https://www.canadiansafetysupplies.com/EMT-Sports-Trauma-First-Aid-Kit-p/emtspt-cssx.htm  The CPR mask with one-way valve was an important addition and we have also added aspirin and Benadryl (to be available but not administered). 

If we are lucky it will never happen again, but then, “Thorough preparation makes its own luck.”

Estha Parg Murenbeeld, President

On Behalf of the North Shore Pickleball Club

August 19, 2023

As West Vancouver residents, we are at a loss to explain why all of our pickleball events are hosted in North Vancouver and our recent application for permits at Normanby for only 4-hours per week were recently denied.  

Please reconsider.  We, WV residents and members of the North Shore Pickleball Club (NSPC), wish to facilitate play on our four courts at Normanby Park, Tuesday and Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:30 pm July 1 to September 30.

Currently we West Vancouver residents and pickleball players have to travel to the District and City of North Vancouver courts for learn-to-play sessions, round robins and hosted rotational play that would allow players of all abilities to find their community and their level of play. We can do this on our own courts if permits are granted!

These sessions are facilitated by West Vancouver residents and other members of the only local pickleball club, NSPC. 

• Hollyburn Country club charges their pickleball players thousands of dollars annually; the Hugo Ray court cost is projected to be $25 per hour.  The NSPC fee of $25 per YEAR is the only affordable option for fun, organized play for most people in WV.
• Normanby would remain available 95% of the time for drop in.  The other WV courts at Chairlift, Benbow, Cypress and Whytecliff also remain available for drop in 100% of the time.
• 150 WV residents are currently NSPC members;
• Two of the 7 current NSPC Board members are WV residents.
• The annual membership fee is only $25 for adults, youth and 80+ are free which provides each person with insurance and many play opportunities.  
• The club maintains a current website and facebook page which provides up to date information on how to register for upcoming sessions.
• WV residents/members volunteered and played in the March indoor tournament held in North Vancouver and continue to play at the Murdo Frazer, Tempe Heights and Little Cates courts.
• WV residents/members helped facilitate the school program that introduced pickleball to 1184 students from 12 West Vancouver and North Vancouver schools in June. We also coached 131 teachers at pro-D and social events.
• NSPC facilitated pickleball play in WV for many years and only withdrew in 2020 when, without permits, it was impossible to ensure compliance with safe play protocols during the public health crisis.
• The NSPC is a member of Pickleball Canada and Pickleball BC and is able to offer $5 million insurance coverage for its use of the courts.

The summer is here!  Please act now so that we can enjoy many more play opportunities in our own community.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED as there’s only room for 16 people.

These sessions will be offered to members first and, if not filled, then opened to the public. Please send an email to nspc.bc@gmail.com to be put on the public waitlist.

Next Sessions: Wednesday July 19, 6-8-pm at Tempe Heights

Past Sessions: Wednesday June 7 at Little Cates, Thursday May 25, Murdo Frazer, Monday May 8 at Little Cates

More sessions coming in August and September.

Intended for those new to the game. Covers basic strokes, rules and scoring. If you’ve ever played a racket sport its all you need to get started: the learning curve for pickleball is very short!

Loaner paddles available.

Limit of 16 per session. Register in our Members’ area or send an email to nspc.bc@gmail.com to be put on the public waitlist..