By: Savanna Stillwagner
PickleRage at Avenues Walk in Jacksonville, Fla. Officially opened its doors on November 21, bringing the city an all, new indoor pickleball spot. It is a state-of-the-art, 9 court, climate controlled facility with CushionX courts. Despite being membership based, they do allow nonmembers to play for a $14 fee per person for a two-and-a-half-hour slot. Players coming in have many varieties to play in such as open play, reserved courts, private lessons, group lessons, leagues and tournaments. Coaches include head pro Jared Cohen and Karin Kochis, the world’s top-ranked senior women’s pickleball player in the world.
Both coaches compete and play globally and locally. Benny Davis is also a coach who plays at PickleRage. Davis is a middle school coach who enjoys teaching people the “right way to play pickleball, not just playing tennis on a pickleball court.” Davis plays every day and has been playing for the last three years.
Despite having their official opening November 21, they had a ribbon-cutting ceremony open to the community with different events and specials the weekend of January 3 and 4. Donald Wagner, the general manager, puts an emphasis on Jacksonville’s strong pickleball community and strives to include them as well. PickleRage just hosted their first tournament February 15 and 16 open to the public and are hoping to do more in the future.
Those interested in playing at PickleRage can go to the CourtReserve app or to their website.