Pickleball Xpress opens in Islip with beginner-friendly lessons
Julianne Mazzeo, of St James, hits the ball back toward co-owner Mitchell Sloane, as teammate Jeanene Sloane, of Bay Shore, watches as they play at Pickleball Xpress on June 29 in Islip. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
The first of three planned Pickleball Xpress locations has opened in Islip — a Brooklyn location should open in a couple of months and a Brightwaters venue is awaiting construction, says co-owner Quadir Russell.
The Islip location has four pickleball courts inside a building that previously was a sports training facility. "It matched what we needed as a pickleball facility," Russell says — it has high ceilings to enable players to lob the ball and cushioned mats under the courts so play is easier on people’s knees. "The high ceilings can make for a more dynamic game," Russell says.
From now through Labor Day, summer prices are in effect. Courts are $60 an hour unless players are members of Pickleball Xpress. For a $10 a month basic membership fee, members get nonpeak hour courts at a reduced rate of $40 an hour. Members also get to use demo paddles for free; nonmembers can rent paddles for $5. Balls are included for everyone during play, he says.
In addition to court rentals, Pickleball Xpress offers open play according to players’ skill levels. Open play lasts two hours and is played with six people rotating in doubles competition. It also hosts tournaments, and in the fall will offer league play.
Lessons are offered at summer prices of $75 for a private lesson through $150 for a group lesson for four, says Gustave Karagrozis, head instructor. "A lot of the people who are calling me are beginners or first-time players," he says. He’ll teach rules of the game, strategy, tactics and the main skills for play.
Want to just give pickleball a try? "We actually do a beginner’s clinic every Saturday, and the first clinic is free," Russell says. Sign up for a 9 a.m. or a 10 a.m. session.
The venue also sells paddles, shirts and basic refreshments.
Currently, it’s not a challenge to find a court time because it’s summer and many players engage in the sport at outdoor courts, Russell says. "As fall starts to roll around and all the people who play outside start to come in, I imagine it will get hard," he says.
Pickleball Xpress, 181 Freeman Ave., Islip, 631-861-2668, pickleballxpress.com
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.