A sport that blends elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton has become extremely popular over the last few years. That sport is known as pickleball, and whether played as a pastime or competitively, it has experienced a surge in popularity. For those on Long Island who are new to this rising paddle sport, or are already in the know, South Shore’s Pickleball Xpress just celebrated its first anniversary and is one of the best places to play.
Located on Freeman Avenue in Islip, Pickleball Xpress features a state-of-the-art indoor facility with four courts. The founders established it to meet the demand driven by the sport’s growing popularity.
“The founders keenly observed the escalating demand for indoor courts in the [Long Island] region, coupled with the frustratingly long wait times that players endured just to enjoy a game of pickleball,” reads a passage from their website. “Recognizing this opportunity and driven by their passion for the sport, they embarked on a mission to create a state-of-the-art facility that would not only provide much-needed playing space but also foster a vibrant and inclusive pickleball community.”
How did this sport, played to eleven points with a win by two rule, become so popular?
“It’s an easy game to learn, it’s a very sociable game, you can play all over the place, and it’s a game that takes out age,” explained Pickleball Xpress coach and trainer, Gus Karagrozis. “It’s a pleasurable game, it can be as laid back as you like, or as competitive as you want.”
Being played on a court that is smaller than a tennis court, and with a net shorter and narrower than consists of a tennis court, it accommodates players of all skill levels. Pickleball is also an excellent outlet for those seeking exercise, social interaction, or a way to quench their competitive edge.
At Pickleball Xpress, whatever your goal is in the USA-born sport, they have you covered. They offer court reservations, open play, lessons and coaching, leagues, and even host tournaments and events.
Open play consists of pick-up games. The staff allocates six different groups based on skill level and rotates them around the courts for a two-hour period.
Lessons can be booked as one-on-one sessions or for groups of up to five students looking to improve their game.
Hosting leagues allows Pickleball Xpress to channel the more competitive nature of the sport. Through this, they group players of all skill levels for organized, structured gameplay that aims to elevate your pickleball game. Their tournaments are organized with various divisions and brackets to test a player’s skills and celebrate the spirit of the sport, which was established in 1965.
Pricing is offered in several different ways at Pickleball Xpress. For a guest who doesn’t pay a monthly fee, they can book a court up to five days in advance (reserved courts are one hour long), and the cost is $30 for open play and $40 for a reservation during off-peak hours.
Peak hours raise the rate to $50, which applies Monday through Thursday from 8-10 a.m. and 5-10 p.m., and all day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In the summer, the rate changes to $40.00 per hour and $30.00 per hour during off-peak times.
They provide three distinct membership packages for individuals seeking to optimize their playing time and advance reservation opportunities. The basic membership costs $19 per month, the standard membership is priced at $47 per month, and the elite membership is $147 per month. Each package offers its own benefits and advantages.
With a nearly perfect five-star rating on Google, it is evident that Pickleball Xpress successfully provides the most adequate and accommodating pickleball experience on the South Shore. If you’re on the fence about giving pickleball a try, Pickleball Xpress will help eliminate any of your doubts.
“It’s addicting, and you don’t need much equipment, or expensive equipment to get started,” said Karagrozis on why more people should get involved in the sport.
Availability is the best ability, and availability is what Pickleball Xpress prides itself on. Stay tuned for Red Hook Pickleball Club in the borough of Brooklyn, coming soon to accommodate the surging popularity of paddle sports.
Pickleball Xpress is located at 181 Freeman Avenue, #4, Islip, NY 11751. Court time reservations can be made by calling 631-861-2668 or by visiting pickleballxpress.com online.
