Lesson Reviews: What Students Are Saying
🏆 SuperCoach — Ranked in the top 3% of coaches based on knowledge, responsiveness & student feedback ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 24 Reviews *TMT
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"A skilled teacher. Patient. Made sure I understood — and could execute — each point before going on to the next. I'll be back!"
Barbara J.
Beginner · 5 Lessons · Verified ✓
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"Coach Craig helped me advance as a Pickleball player and has shown an enormous amount of patience. He helped me learn the value of keeping things simple and hitting the ball 'over and in'."
Linda C.
Beginner · Verified ✓
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"Coach Smith helped me figure out how to play competitive tournament level pickleball. He explains ideas and concepts in terms I can easily understand and implement."
L.O.
Tournament Level · Verified ✓
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"Coach Craig helped me learn competitive pickleball. He ties what we practice into game play and strategy — then I feel comfortable using new shots when I play with friends."
M.G.
Competitive Player · Verified ✓
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PPR-certified instruction for beginners, seniors, & Pros.
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Available in Kilmarnock, Warsaw, Irvington, Deltaville & beyond.
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Private lessons · group Lessons · Clinics · Corporate Outings
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court access across The Northern Neck of Virginia.
professionally certified coaches
RPO
PPR
USA PICKLEBALL
Professional Pickleball Coaching
on Virginia's Northern Neck
Lesson Packages Available in Irvington, Warsaw, and other NNK locations
Private 1 on 1
Focused, personalized instruction built around your specific game. Fastest path to improvement at any skill level.
Beginner Bootcamp
Never picked up a paddle? Our structured beginner program gets you rally-ready and confident on the court fast.
Craig Smith | Professional Pickleball Coach Irvington, Virginia
Craig Smith is a certified pickleball professional serving players of all skill levels across Virginia's Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Holding certifications from the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the Racket Pro Organization (RPO), and USA Pickleball — he brings a comprehensive, standards-based approach to every lesson.
As the Resident Pickleball Professional at The Tides Inn Resort in Irvington, Virginia, Coach Smith has built a reputation as one of the region's most trusted coaches since beginning his teaching career in 2020, with over 500 lessons delivered to beginners through competitive players. www.tidesinn.com
Recognized as a SuperCoach on TeachMe.To — a distinction awarded to the top 3% of coaches based on knowledge, responsiveness, and student outcomes.
Craig currently holds a 4.75 DUPR rating and is a sponsored athlete.
Group 2-4 Players
Learn alongside others in a structured group setting. Great for clubs, communities, and friends who want to improve together.
Corporate Outings
Team Building - Improving Communication
Large group instruction, partner contests, and ends with a tournament for ugly shirts!
Kilmarnock · Warsaw · Tappahannock · Irvington · Deltaville · Mathews · Reedville · Heathsville · Urbanna
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Want to know where to play pickleball in Kilmarnock or Deltaville or Mathews?
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Looking for people to play with in Tappahannock?
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Our PLACES TO PLAY page has all the details on 10+ locations in the Northern Neck.