Canada’s best pickleball players volley in Vernon

Canada’s best pickleball players volley in Vernon

Published 9:00 am Sunday, October 11, 2026

By Jennifer Smith/Vernon Morning Star

Some of the best pickleball talent in Canada and the Okanagan will converge in Vernon Oct. 15 to 18 for the inaugural Okanagan Open, bringing a new level of competitive pickleball to the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA).

Hosted at the Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical Services Pickleball Complex at Marshall Field, the four-day tournament will feature a $10,000 total prize purse, with the Open Division expected to deliver some of the most competitive and exciting pickleball ever seen in the region.

Interest in the inaugural event has been exceptional. More than 300 players registered on the first day registration opened, and the tournament is now virtually sold out with more than 400 players registered. The elite competitors will compete alongside some of the Okanagan’s top rising talent in singles and doubles competition.

“Bringing this level of professional talent to the Okanagan completely changes the dynamic of the event,” said Richard Chambers, tournament director. “Fans are going to see an incredible display of power, speed and strategy. Having premier male and female pros leading the field alongside local national team heroes sets a benchmark for what high-level sport can be in our valley.”

The flagship Open Division will feature a stellar lineup of professional and national-level athletes, including four Team Canada players who will anchor this year’s draw:

· Chayton Hauberg — Team Canada U18 National Team Member

· Jacob Bolkowy — Team Canada U18 National Team Member

· Kim Layton — #5-ranked female player in Canada and National Team Member

· Anna Dyachenko — #3-ranked female player in Canada and National Team Member

One of the athletes attracting particular attention will be 17-year-old Coldstream phenom Chayton Hauberg, who returns to his home court after representing Canada on the international stage at the World Cup in Vietnam.

Hauberg’s appearance highlights one of the Okanagan Open’s key goals: bringing elite professional competition to the region while providing a showcase for talented local athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport.

Play begins at 8 a.m. each day and runs until approximately 6:30 p.m.

Kicking off the tournament on Thursday, Oct. 15 is Amateur Men’s Doubles, with both the Pro/Open and Amateur events taking place Friday through Sunday.