This is the fourth annual Orca Classic at Whatcom Community College hosted by WCC, Bellingham Pickleball Club, and Armory Pickleball.
Early bird registration for members of the Bellingham Pickleball Club (BPC) starts on January 15th. BPC members save $10 during early bird registration. Regular registration opens on February 15th, and late registration on May 15th.
ALL REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 11:59 PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 29.
Registration is by DUPR level only. We are offering four brackets (2.5 - 2.99, 3.0 - 3.49, 3.5 - 3.99, and 4.0 - 4.49) across women, men, and mixed doubles.
SCHEDULE: The final game schedule is TBD. We tend to do a good job of running on time. Please help us by arriving at least 30 minutes early to get warmed up, and if possible we can start a little early. If there are delays, please be patient. You can be sure that we are doing our best to get things back on track as soon as possible.
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.
- 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 wait list.
- 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. This 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.
