Gaston Renault

Since 2018

Paddle: Renegade  

Pickleball Club: East Coast Pickleball and City of Lakes Pickleball

I have been playing pickleball for nearly 2 years.  It is such an amazing sport combining table tennis, tennis and badminton!  I am proud to be an ambassador promoting safe play while challenging players to “hit each shot with purpose”.   

I played in my first Nationals this year - LOVE my Manta Nexus 2G paddle!  I started softening my shots these past few months and the results are life-changing for me.  I am striving to be a strong 4.0 now that I see the light! 

I have my Level I IPTPA Certification and I am enjoy giving clinics and private lessons.  I will pursue my Level II Certification in the future as I approach my retirement.

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2018

Pickleball Paddle: Nexus "Neon Night"

Pickleball Clubs: Parkland Pickleheads, Spruce Grove AB & The Paddle Room, Edmonton AB

My name is Ian Miller. I was born in B.C. in 1984.  I moved to Edmonton in August 2006. I am self-employed installing Vinyl Siding.  I have three wonderful children Mayson 10, Mikaela 8, and Marx 2 and my beautiful wife Kimberly.

I was first introduced to Pickleball by my Dad.  He had told me about the sport and he thought I would love it. He brought a couple paddles over at the beginning of May 2016.  We pulled up some of the basics of the game on YouTube, then we went and played  a couple games of singles.  He went home to Vancouver and I was very interested in Pickleball. I found the Parkland Pickleheads Pickleball club on the internet. They offered free beginners lessons. I brought my father in-law with me as his lives in Spruce  Grove. We both played as much as we could that summer.  I played my first sanctioned tournament at 3.0 in September 2016.  My mixed partner Pamela Boutin and I won Gold.  I was absolutely hooked and wanted to play any chance I got.  I have attended as many  tournaments as possible and play regularly twice a week.  Pickleball has brought back my competitive spirit. I hope to continue to play competitively for many years.  My goals are to work very hard to hone my skills and improve my UTPR.  I will continue to  share my love of the sport with anyone and everyone.

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2019

Paddle: Nexus  

Pickleball Club: Calgary Pickleball Club

 I started playing Pickleball in 2017. I immediately fell in love with the game! Within a year I knew that I wanted to be more involved in promoting the game, so I pursued and successfully secured my IPTPA LEVEL 2 certification. My professional career was a professional speaker and business coach. The IPTPA training has allowed me to continue with my passion of helping others learn new skills.

I have played in tournaments in 2018 and 2019, managing to win 12 Medals: 5 Gold , 4 Silver and 3 Bronze, including a Sliver at the Canadian Nationals in 2018.

I have made more friends and met more nice people from playing pickle ball in the past 3 years than from any other sport I have played. I continue to play 3-5 times a week.

My goal in the next two years is to become the best 4.5 player that I can be. To continue to offer coaching and support in the PB community and to have as much fun as possible!

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2018

Pickleball Paddle: Renegade "Lightweight"

Club: Ottawa Pickleball Association 

I have enjoyed playing pickleball for 5 years now but only seriously in the last 2 years where I started entering tournaments.  I was one of the original Ottawa players and have watched it grow to its 300+ members now.  I hope to continue to grow and play a higher level and eventually retire playing pickleball in a warmer climate year round.