1st Annual Duluth Summer Slam Pickleball Tournament Rallys Community

Picklers of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds entered this weekend's tournament

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Area Pickleball Association Summer Slam Tournament kicked off on Friday at Wheeler Athletic Complex and will continue throughout the weekend.

One hundred forty five pickleball players from around Minnesota, as well as Canada, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan, and Florida are set to compete. Picklers from eight to eighty will compete in various events over the weekend, including singles and doubles. Tournament Director Mike Manger said pickleball has been a fun way to create community.

“It’s been really great,” Manger said. “Every time you come out the courts are full. There’s all ages, meeting people and having just a good time playing pickleball. You play pickleball with people you never thought you’d play with. Random strangers some days, some days it’s your best friends.”

Part of the pickleball community is also making sure everyone is having fun and keeping safe, especially in hot conditions.

“The team running the tournament has done a really good job providing ice packs,” pickleball player DyAnna Grondhal said. “Mike [Manger] made a really cool ‘H2O Buffalo’ so we can all stay hydrated and then there’s tents and shade all around us. Just making sure to take care of each other, teammates and opponents, on the court so no one hurts themselves.”

The sport of pickleball has continued to grow in Duluth and this weekend’s tournament is looking to continue that. In partnership with the City of Duluth, the Summer Slam is raising money for court maintenance Organizers say they are planning another, similar tournament for the fall.