Come Play Pickleball!

After being a teacher and coach at Southampton High School for 38 years, and having played racquetball and squash for many years, I decided to take up pickleball at SYS seven years ago.

While snow birding in Florida, I had the great fortune to attend numerous clinics and began teaching pickleball to anyone who wanted to learn. The local USA Pickleball ambassador recommended that I apply to become an ambassador back home in Southampton, and for the past six years I’ve been the acting East End Pickleball ambassador.

Being a pickleball ambassador has been a wonderful segue for me as I retired from teaching and coaching. It allows me to introduce, teach and promote this wonderful game. In the past six years I’ve introduced over 600 players to the sport and continue to provide advanced instruction every week at SYS on Thursday mornings, for free, at 7 a.m.

An ambassador is a voluntary position; with that said, I have constant support from USA Pickleball and the network of ambassadors nationwide.

You probably know that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. Seven years ago, we had 20 players playing at SYS. We now have over 250 members of the Southampton Pickleball Club.

This amazing growth doesn’t come without its growing pains. SYS has five indoor courts, which are available for play to members during the fall and winter in the mornings. I petitioned the town three years ago, and we now have four beautiful outdoor courts, which any resident can use for free during the spring through fall.

Our courts are among the best anywhere, which is why they’re so crowded. The town has budgeted for two additional courts to be completed next year — we can really use them! Trying to fit 50 players on four courts on the weekends is a huge challenge. We have a system, but not everyone plays nice in the sandbox, so those two extra courts will certainly be helpful.

In any case, if you decide to play at either venue, please be patient and ask someone how we move players on and off the courts.

We not only play pickleball. Our social director, Kerry Calvert, organizes a “Dink and Drink” happy hour every Friday night at many local restaurants, which allows us to enjoy each other’s company off the court. We have a Facebook page, “The Southampton Pickleball Club,” and you can request to join if you’d like to play with us.

Pickleball players are wonderful. This upcoming October 8 at the SYS indoor courts, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., we are hosting our third annual Heart of the Hamptons Pickleball Tournament. Last year, we raised $9,000, and this year we’re hoping to raise over $10,000. Space is filling up fast. If you’re interested in playing, or want to donate, go to events.elitefeats.com/23pickleball.

All over the East End, pickleball courts are becoming available. Red Creek is going to be redone this fall. Riverhead will have an indoor facility this January near the former Kmart. Hampton West Park in Westhampton is a town facility, and Westhampton Tennis Club is also an option.

If you haven’t tried the sport yet, contact me at vmangano@aol.com and I’ll get you started.

But watch out — you’ll probably become addicted.