Hamptons Squash Pro Trying To Expand The Sport’s East End Reach

It may not seem like it because of the unusually warm autumn weather we’ve been experiencing, but the winter months are nearly here, bringing snow, ice, and an end to outdoor workouts, at least for a while. If you’re looking for a new way to mix up your indoor fitness routine, squash may be your fix.

Since 2008, squash, a racquet sport played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball, has seen a 66 percent increase in the number of club and varsity programs, and this trend is expected to continue. Southampton Youth Center (SYS) squash pro Mohamed Nabil is hoping to expand the sport’s reach on the East End. “We’re trying to get people interested in the sport and to learn more about squash,” he explained. “It’s growing now in the U.S., especially in the last five years.”

On Saturday, November 7th, Nabil is presenting a Squash Open House at the Elmaleh Stanton Squash Center at SYS, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The informative session, which is open to all ages and skill levels, will allow attendees to come out and try the game.

Nabil, who has served as the pro at SYS since last September, has been playing squash for 17 years. “It’s one of the healthiest sports,” he noted. “It’s a really fast game. You’re using every muscle.” He says it’s also an easy sport to learn and playing for one hour can burn 600 to 1,000 calories.

His plans for the future include a new Hamptons Squash School League at SYS, hopefully debuting in January. The program would allow students from Southampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Ross School and other local schools to compete during weekly matches. Nabil eventually wants to establish a Hamptons team that travels throughout New York to participate in tournaments.

Southampton Youth Center is located at 1370A Majors Path in Southampton. For more information, call 631-287-1511 or visit www.sysinc.org.