This is the third annual Orca Classic at Whatcom Community College hosted by WCC, Bellingham Pickleball Club, and Armory Pickleball.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 15, at 8 AM. REGULAR REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 1, AND LATE REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 15. Save $ by registering early.
IF VERIFIED before registering, Bellingham Pickleball Club members get $15 off registration. (See below.*)
ALL REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 11:59 PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 30.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE TOURNAMENT, JUNE 6 - 8.
SCHEDULE (This is is an approximation of our expected schedule for each day, but it will be subject to change until registration closes):
FRIDAY: Men's doubles
8:00 AM Men 3.5 all ages
10:30 AM Men 3.0 60+, and 2.5/novice all ages
1:00 PM Men 4.0, all ages
3:30 PM Men 3.0, all ages
6:00 PM Men 4.5, all ages
SATURDAY: Women's doubles
8:00 AM Women 3.5 all ages
10:30 AM Women 3.0 60+, and 2.5/novice all ages
1:00 PM Women 4.0 and 4.5, all ages
3:30 PM Women 3.5 60+
6:00 PM Women 3.0 all ages
SUNDAY: Mixed doubles
8:00 AM Mixed 4.0
10:30 AM Mixed 2.5/novice all ages, and 3.0 60+
1:00 PM Mixed 4.5 all ages, 3.5 60+
3:30 PM Mixed 3.5 all ages
6:00 PM Mixed 3.0 all ages
The schedule is designed so that a player can compete in more than one bracket without having to play two events in a row, but a player may not signup for more than one event in a day until within 30 days of the event.
Start times for each event will be announced after registration has closed and by Monday, May 27. All start times are estimates and may change depending on necessary changes after registration closes.
NOTES:
- The official tournament ball is the Franklin X-40.
- USAPA approved paddles only. Check that your paddle is on the USAPA approved list before your event.
- Pickleball Brackets charges a separate $5 service fee for registering for each of the first TWO events. To avoid paying an unnecessary service fee, if you are wanting to CHANGE events, drop the first event first and THEN add the second event. If you add a second event first and then drop the first event, you will be charged the second event fee of $5. No extra fee is charged for signing up for more than two events.
* For the Bellingham Pickleball Club member discount, there are three things that need to happen:
1. Be or become a member of Bellingham Pickleball Club (go to https://bellinghampickleball.org) AND,
2. Have or create a free account with Pickleball Brackets (go to https://pickleballbrackets.com) AND,
3. Once your Pickleball Brackets account is set up, join Bellingham Pickleball Club in Pickleball Brackets.
THEN, once your account is set up, and you are logged into Pickleball Brackets, click on "Clubs", and search for Bellingham. If you are a current paid member of Bellingham Pickleball Club, select Bellingham Pickleball Club, click on "Become a member" and then, "Click Here Complete Your Request". Your membership will need to be verified. (It may take up to 24 hours.) Once you have been verified, your may register and your discount will be applied.
- A player may play at a higher level (play up), but may not play down (sand bag). Pickleball Brackets uses self rating. If you have a DUPR or 3.43, you could put down that you are a 3.0 and play against players who are 3.0 and lower, but we encourage you to put down 3.5 and play with people who are, like you, challenging themselves. This is in keeping with the spirit of pickleball. 2.5 events are for players 2.5 and under. 3.0 events are 3.0 and under, etc. Bellingham Pickleball Club reserves the right to move players to another event if they are known to be playing down.
- A minimum of 4 games are guaranteed. Number of games played and points per game will depend on registration. Our goal is to maximize the number of rallies each team gets to play, and the number of other teams each team gets to play, while staying on schedule to ensure that each event starts on time. Pool play will either be round-robin (each team plays every other team in your pool), or waterfall (playing 4 best matches before the medals round).
- Depending on registration numbers, we may split events by age (under 40, 40+), and we may combine teams to make for the best player experience.
- When registering with a partner, make sure your partner knows that they need to register within 7 DAYS or you may be moved to the waitlist.
- When you register, the registration software shows events available to you that are appropriate for your current DUPR rating. The average rating of a team is used to determine the team's level.
- For 7 or 8 team pools, games are to 11 points, win by 1, and for 6 or fewer team pools, games are to 15, win by 1. All playoff matches are traditional scoring win-by-2 except that there will be a cap of first to 15 for games to 11, and first to 19 for games to 15. This is necessary to keep the events on schedule and to give players a break.
- All events are available and open to all ages. For the sharp-eyed among you, you may notice your age is one year off. The is because, after you register, your age is shown as of December 31,2025.
- You may register for as many events as you are qualified to enter. Basic registration includes one event. Each additional event is $30. Pickleball Brackets charges a $5 fee for the first two events.
