Ben Hair Pickleball Classic: Merging Sport with Water Safety Awareness
A Unique Fundraising Event
As summer approaches, communities in the United States are gearing up for swimming season, and a pickleball tournament in Charlottesville aims to achieve more than just sporting accolades. The Ben Hair Pickleball Classic, organized by the Benjamin Hair Just Swim for Life Foundation, is set for May 9 and 10 at Fry's Spring Beach Club. This event combines the rising popularity of pickleball with a mission focused on water safety and child protection.
With public pools reopening and children eager to swim, the timing of this fundraiser is crucial. The foundation emphasizes that the initiative addresses a significant gap in swimming education that can be life-threatening. Established in 2010, the Benjamin Hair Just Swim for Life Foundation has partnered with the Jefferson Swim League to enhance access to swimming lessons for at-risk youth. Their goal is to provide affordable or free swimming lessons to families who might struggle financially.
According to Gordon Hair, the foundation's president, the urgency of their mission has increased. “More than half of the children in our area cannot swim, and drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death among children under five,” he stated. Coaches and volunteers are dedicated to instilling confidence and safety in children, emphasizing the importance of being prepared in potentially hazardous environments.
“We offer swim lessons at little to no cost, aiming to make our community safer around water,” said swim coach Lulu Wood. This year’s pickleball tournament was organized with help from Waylon Shapowal, founder of Patriots Swim-4-Life, who was motivated by personal loss and a desire to support local initiatives. “We recognized their efforts and wanted to assist in overcoming challenges like pool fees and volunteer recruitment,” Shapowal explained.
The tournament aims to raise around $3,000, which will directly fund swimming lessons, pool access, and water safety programs as summer approaches. For many involved, the initiative is deeply personal, transforming initial fears into newfound confidence. “It’s a journey of emotions, from tears to learning to swim,” Hair described the program's impact.
Participants can join the pickleball tournament with a donation of $22, with hopes that the event will not only generate funds but also raise awareness about the critical importance of water safety. As pickleball gains traction across the country, events like the Ben Hair Pickleball Classic illustrate how sports can serve as a powerful platform for social change, extending far beyond the court.