Private Lessons & Coaches in Lake Success, NY

Born and raised on the shores of Babylon, NY, I've ridden the waves of the East Coast since childhood, braving cold winter swells and eagerly awaiting the summer hurricanes. As soon as possible, I embarked on surf safaris, exploring breaks from the Caribbean to California and Central America, Oregon to Oahu, and beyond. With over 45 years of experience, surfing has become more than a passion—it's a way of life. Now, as an instructor, I find immense joy in helping others catch their first wave, sharing in the exhilaration that becomes a lifelong memory. Join me in the surf, and let's make some unforgettable waves together!

"Tom’s a great instructor. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your child succeed. He’s enabled my daughter to do that with surfing through his knowledge and patience.

Tennis has been a lifelong passion for me, but about three years ago, the magnetic allure of pickleball caught my attention. Intrigued and motivated to spread my love for this sport, I pursued PPR certification and embarked on a teaching journey that has now spanned over a year. My teaching endeavors have seen me conducting numerous classes, reaching out to hundreds of players at various levels of expertise, all within the welcoming environment of the YMCA. Pickleball is more than a game; it's a community, a vibrant connection of enthusiasts coming together to enjoy the thrill of the sport. As a dedicated instructor, my mission is to share this excitement and the skills that make the game enjoyable for players of all backgrounds and levels. My goal is to contribute to the growth of pickleball and help individuals discover the joy of this engaging and dynamic sport.

"I love James! Best coach for a newbie like me.

I love helping players of all levels improve their game. My sessions are all about sharpening skills, learning strategy, and having a great time on the court. Let’s step up your game and have some fun!

"Jackson is a great coach. I am an intermediate player looking to get over 4.0 DUPR and wanted to focus on improving technique. Jackson is an advanced/skilled player and his coaching has helped improve my technique in a short period of time.

Hi, I’m Ava Hrastar—a current professional tennis player and recent Division I college graduate(Auburn University) with about 15 years of experience on the court. Tennis has been a lifelong passion, and through years of training, competing, and growing as an athlete, I’ve developed not only my game but also a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed—both physically and mentally. I’m excited to share that passion and knowledge with others.

"Written by her parent: Ava is great with kids. She is a great leader and role model and it’s seen through her work with Juliette. She has a natural care for young kids, and I can see the joy she has helping Juliette grow as a person and in her game. Love her!

Teaching tennis is not just my profession; it's my passion in life. Whether you are new to the sport or looking to sharpen your skills, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. My specialty lies in working with beginners, intermediates and children, where I focus on building a solid foundation and fostering a genuine enjoyment for tennis. Having coached my own sons to success in varsity singles, I currently instruct 30 kids aged 5 to 12, emphasizing patience and fun in every lesson. Let's hit the court and discover the joy of tennis together!

"Tracy was great. Learned my level of play quickly and adjusted the lesson to accommodate my skill, or lack thereof! Sparked an interest in tennis for me, that I’m hoping to explore in the near future. Thank you!

Guided by a love of tactical play and community, I bring precise instruction and patient coaching to every lesson. I have taught pickleball for over a year, helping players of all levels refine technique, strategy, and on-court confidence. I played tournaments and Durp rating games. I'm IPTPA pickleball certified Level 1 coach. If you want to level up or just learning on how to play, you've chose the right person. It's my pleasure to help you and guide you. Other locations of teaching welcome.

"I’m impressed on your skill level. You started out uncontrollable to controlled in almost every shot. Patience is the key. Great job!

Justin, originally from Commack, NY, earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology from Hofstra University. He has 22 years of experience playing and coaching tennis and, in 2024, was named the USTA Eastern Tennis Professional of the Year. He joined the SPORTIME team in 2020, as a tennis coach, and was promoted to Director of Tennis in 2023.

"My child looks forward to every lesson. The instructor is encouraging, professional, and creates a fun environment while teaching strong fundamentals. We’ve seen tremendous progress!

With several years of Tennis experience by playing on my high school Varsity team for 4 years, I specialize in individualized skill development, match strategy, and footwork to help players progress confidently. I have loved Tennis ever since I was little and I wish to help bring that same joy to you on the court!

In less than a year, Amanda went from a novice pickleball player to a pickleball pro – and you can too! Amanda has 1,100+ hours of coaching experience and has taught over 1,000 people how to play pickleball. She is PCI, RPO, RPPk/DUPR L2 and SafeSport certified and coaches at several pickleball venues in NYC (indoor and outdoor). Amanda’s sweet spot for teaching is beginners and advanced beginners who want to move up to intermediate and advanced play, including tennis players new to pickleball. With Amanda's guidance, you can expect not only valuable insights and quick tips to enhance your performance and win more points, but also to have a lot of fun in the process. If needed, sessions can also incorporate a focus on reviewing and mastering the fundamentals since a strong foundation is essential for long-term improvement in pickleball. To top it off, Amanda is also a great listener, so pickleball lessons will always be tailored to your goals and needs. Note: The court fee for Gotham Tues/Thur is $80/hr. Reach out with any questions! About Amanda: Outside of pickleball, Amanda is a former finance executive, with an MBA from Kellogg (Northwestern), a BA in Art History from Barnard (Columbia), and her CFA. She’s also an aspiring song writer and author.

"I’ve had a few lessons with Amanda now and have felt myself get better after each one. Very focused and productive. She has a super sharp eye for what needs tweaking and gives super helpful in the moment feedback that clicks. She makes the game very approachable for beginners.

For over a decade, I've been sharing my passion for ping pong. Now I'm using that experience in helping players of all levels discover the joy of this fast-growing sport of pickleball. My focus is on building a strong foundation, developing strategic skills, and fostering a love of the game in each of my students.

"Lesson was fantastic, Martin’s explanations were concise, easy to learn and repeatable.