2nd Annual Kenny Loggins Pickleball Tournament benefits Unity Shoppe

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)  The Kenny Loggins Pickeball in the Danger Zone Tournament returns to benefit the Unity Shoppe.

Pros and celebrities took part on Saturday.   

Loggins has been playing pickleball for years and is known to the play on the municipal courts, although he also has a court at his Montecito home.

"This is the second annual tournament Pickeball Tournament in the Danger Zone here in Santa Barbara and it is for Unity, which is a major benefit cause for me, this is the 40th anniversary of Unity so I have been at this awhile," said Loggins.

He credits his wife, Lisa, with getting the pickleball tournament off the ground.

"It was 2018 when we had the idea and then COVID hit and went on and one and we have an incredible partners with Unity Shoppe," said Lisa Loggins.

They agree it has been a lot of fun.

"People have a great time at this tournament, they don't take it quite as seriously and that is the point, just have fun with it," said Kenny Loggins.

Hunter Hawkins helped kick things off with "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"All of the money raised from this actually feeds thousands of people in Santa Barbara  county 56 thousand people last year," said Unity Shoppe CEO Angela Miller-Bevan.

Some of his famous friends helped out.

"It is just love and respect and people coming out to enjoy a fun day of pickelball," said Stephen Baldwin.

 Fans have a chance to bid on auction items including a guitar signed by the Loggins.

They also had a chance to buy Pickleball Pet today and gear.

Fans just learning the lingo can relay on avid players to tell teach them the lingo including "the Kitchen's non-volley zone. 

In the pros and celebrity competition Cierra Gayton-Leach and her Cayene Crashers won gold,

Jason Hervye's Dink Dynasty took silver, and team Slice and Dice won bronze.

The community competition continues on Sunday.

Watching the action is free.

For more information visit https://unityshoppe.org