Peak Academy

Training

Structured classes, private lessons, group training, and junior programs — for every level.

View & Register on CourtReserve

Meet the Coaches

Peak Academy instructors bring professional credentials and real-world playing experience to every session.

Eric Roddy

Lead Coach • DUPR 6.0+

Eric brings 15 years of racket sport coaching to Peak. He has been ranked as high as 16th in singles in the world in PPA rankings, and top 40 in both mixed and men’s doubles. He currently holds the 4th highest DUPR rating in Asia.

Eric runs multiple clinics and lessons at Peak, ranging from cardio pickleball to 3-and-me and coached gameplay, translating his experience at the highest level into technique, strategy, and decision-making gains for amateur players.

Eric has also served as an SEC championship coach for the University of Georgia women’s tennis team and the Swarthmore College men’s tennis team.

Julie Smith

Pickleball Coach • IPTPA Level 1 & 2 • CRS-4 • USAP Level 1 Referee

Julie coaches with patience and positivity, helping players find their strengths and turn them into on-court superpowers. She’s a lifelong student of the game. She earned her first certification from PPR within months of picking up a paddle, then completed her IPTPA Level 1 and Level 2 Professional Coaching Certifications and the IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist-4. She’s also a USAP Level 1 Referee working toward Level 2, and she trains with local coaches and studies online every week to keep sharpening her craft.

Liz Truluck

Coach & Community Lead • PPA Top 10 Pro • DUPR 5.6+

Liz is Peak’s go-to coach for players of every level, and especially for those ready to take their game to the next level. She specializes in 1-on-1 private lessons and also leads introductory clinics and “play with the pro” gameplay sessions, always with an emphasis on fun-first fundamentals and building confidence on the court.

Elisha Turner

Competitive Player & Coach • DUPR 5.0+

Elisha found pickleball in March 2022 and quickly turned a new passion into a competitive career. He plays at the 5.0+ level with a growing list of tournament results, including first-place finishes in both men’s singles and men’s doubles at the 5.0+ Azalea Classic in March 2026, and a quarterfinal run at the Mid-Atlantic Brick Wall tournament, where he beat two 5.5+ teams in the round of 32 and round of 16. Born and raised in Limington, Maine, Elisha played six years of travel baseball before moving to North Carolina in 2025 to pursue pickleball as both a player and a coach.

Chris M

Coach • 20+ Years Experience

Chris brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to Peak, along with a competitive résumé as a former top-20 senior pro on the APP national circuit and a spot on two MLP-style senior pro teams. Before pickleball, he served as an assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of South Carolina.

Alex Guy

Coach & Events Coordinator • Co-Owner, LFG Tourneys • DUPR 5.9+

Alex handles group training, corporate events, and specialty clinics. His patient teaching style and tournament-management experience make him the backbone of Peak’s event-day operations and private lesson roster. He is also co-owner of LFG Tourneys.

Ryan Paone

Performance Coach • CSCS • DUPR 5.0+

Ryan bridges the gap between athletic training and on-court performance. With a strength-and-conditioning background, he coaches movement efficiency, injury prevention, and the physical edge competitive players need.

Curriculum & Pricing

Progressive skill development from first paddle to tournament play.

Clinics

$30

per session • 60–90 min

Drop-in group classes organized by level. 4:1 student-to-coach ratio. Multi-class packs available at a discount.

Private Lessons

$75+

per hour • 1-on-1 or small group

Customized instruction with video review. “YOU PICK” format lets you choose your focus area each session.

Class Types

Beginner Clinic

Rules, grip, serve, rally basics

Intermediate Clinic

Third-shot drops, dinking patterns, transition

Advanced Clinic

Speed-ups, counter-attacks, advanced strategy

Competitive Drilling

Point-play scenarios, tournament simulation

Dink & Strategy

Soft-game mastery, kitchen-line tactics

Serve & Return

Placement, spin variations, return depth

Doubles Strategy

Stacking, poaching, partner communication

Singles Clinic

Court coverage, shot selection, conditioning

Women’s Clinic

Supportive environment, all levels

Junior Academy

Ages 8–18, competitive development track

Why Peak Academy

Charlotte’s most structured path from first paddle to tournament podium.

Certified Pros

PPR / IPTPA / PTR certified instructors with competitive playing backgrounds.

Progressive Curriculum

Clear level-based progression so you always know what to work on next.

Small Class Sizes

Maximum 4:1 student-to-coach ratio in every clinic format.

Indoor Courts

Climate-controlled facility — train year-round regardless of weather.

Video Analysis

Private lessons include recorded play review and personalized feedback.

All Ages & Levels

Junior programs through senior leagues — beginners to 5.0+ players.

Whether you picked up a paddle yesterday or you’re chasing a medal, Peak Academy meets you where you are and takes you further.

Ready to Train?

View clinic and lesson schedules on CourtReserve.