At 81, Birch Bay resident is pickleball extraordinaire

Having lived around the U.S. and overseas, Bud Meltsner settled in Birch Bay Village. New to the area and knowing nobody, he was looking for a way to meet people and stay active. He accidentally discovered pickleball and it changed his life, allowing him to both stay active and meet new people.

The year was 2010 and Meltsner instantly fell in love with the game. He started playing in the village and played tournaments across the border in Canada and around the U.S. He invited many of the players he met to visit and play in Birch Bay Village, which developed into an advanced, competitive group of players.

Over the years, many of them have become some top players in B.C. and Washington. Meanwhile, in a few short years, the game of pickleball grew from its relatively obscure beginnings on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, to the fastest growing sport in North America. Pickleball soon earned the title of Washington’s official state sport. It is now played professionally and recreationally around the world by millions of people, young and old alike.

Meltsner helped grow the game by running clinics and helping to build and renovate many courts in the region. Birch Bay Village now boasts four dedicated outdoor pickleball courts that are kept busy most days with groups of all skill levels.

Meltsner, who oversees the advanced group, is looking to expand the group and is open to any players in the region who consider themselves at a skill level of 3.6 or above. This is a friendly group of competitive players who like to have fun while working to improve their game. To find out more, please email Bud Meltsner at budmeltsner@gmail.com.

In his 81st year, Meltsner still lights it up on the pickleball courts and is looking for more advanced players to join his group in Birch Bay Village.