TRAINERS
All of our trainers are IPTPA Certified, (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association). The IPTPA is the world leader in developing teaching standards in the sport of pickleball. A certified IPTPA instructor is your guarantee that your instructor knows the strokes, strategies and shot selection specific to pickleball.
Jesse is a 5.0+ pickleball player residing in Leland, NC. He is an IPTPA certifide pickleball coach and is the HOP Pro. He played collegiate tennis at Fairmont State University from 2001-2004. Simon tried pickleball for the first time in 2012 and was immediately hooked. ..Learn more about Jesse.
RICHARD HOLLOMAN
Richard enjoys playing pickleball at the 4.0+ level. He is an IPTPA certifide pickleball coach who has been playing pickleball for over 9 years.
VICKI KELLY
Vicki is a Pickleball enthusiast and is IPTPA level I and 2 certified. She has trained with Simone Jardim & Corinne Carr at the HOP Academy as well as Sarah Ansboury for certification through the PPR. From New England, Vicki bases her coaching style from her ownership of 2 gymnastic schools so that players improve their skills by drilling and practicing. Vicki is passionate about coaching the sport of pickleball to adults, and is youth certified as well. She is available for private and group instruction, and organizes training classes at the HOP.
HENRY BOYLE
Henry hails from London, England, where he played high level tennis as a nationally ranked junior. He came to the USA on a tennis scholarship to play college tennis at Concord University & nationally ranked top 50 Chestnut Hill College in NCAA Division 2. He has a DUPR Rating of 5.46 in Doubles; Highest Rated player in Wilmington, NC & Top 10 in State of North Carolina.
STEVE TAYLOR
Steve took his passion for ping pong and turned it into an obsession for pickleball. Keeping fun. in the forefront, he enjoys sharing his addiction for pickleball with those just starting out or those working to take their game to a higher level. As a PPR certified coach, he enjoys helping others improve their game while always focusing on finding joy in the game as well. Steve took home the gold at the North Carolina Senior Games and won silver at the USA Pickleball Diamond Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
JILL VARGAS
Originally from Long Island, NY, Jill enjoys all sports, but pickleball is now her passion. Jill is a Certified IPTPA Level I and Level II Pickleball Instructor, and a PPR Certifed Pro Instructor. She enjoys promoting this great sport through education and skill development. Jill teaches pickleball clinics, and offers private pickleball lessons for all ages. In addition to being a certified pickleball instructor, Jill is also a certified health coach.
CATHIE CARPENTER
Cathie is an ITPTA Level I Certified Instructor. She fell in love with playing Pickleball after learning to play when she moved to the area in 2017. Cathie thoroughly enjoys teaching new players how to play and teaching beginners skills to improve their game. She especially cherishes seeing the excitement new players have when learning to play.
JEAN HAMILTON
Jean is an IPTPA and PPR certified pickleball coach who was introduced to pickleball when she moved here from the Boston area in 2016. A lifelong sports enthusiast, pickleball has become an integral part of Jean’s active lifestyle. She enjoys playing at the 4.5 level and is always looking to learn new strategies and skills to improve her game. Hard work has paid off for Jean with memorable qualification trips to the 2021, 2022 USA Pickleball National Championships in Indian Wells, CA. Jean has won many medals in local, state and regional tournaments, most notably and recently double Gold in 4.5 Womens & Mixed Doubles at the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Diamond Regional in Myrtle Beach and Gold in 4.5 Mixed Doubles at the 2023 Summer Sizzler HOP Tournament. Jean truly enjoys helping, supporting and encouraging players of all skill levels and is grateful for the opportunity to teach and share her playing experiences with others.