Croquet on Governors Island
Taught by James Hoffman
James Hoffman is a seasoned licensed New York City tour guide with over a decade of experience. He’s set up an array of sightseeing walks and bike tours that span from iconic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal to the historic Green-Wood Cemetery.
When he's not leading tours he runs open board game nights at victorypints.com and donates his time to the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), working alongside fellow guides to promote live tour guides.
First things first... there’s no shame in knowing your limits. Before you sign up for this class it’s important that you’re honest to yourself about your physical, emotional, and mental limitations.
You’re not the first person to be curious about the seamy underground of the NYC croquet scene and you won’t be the last.
Sure, we’ve all heard the same stories. Illegal croquet matches deep in bodegas under the J train. Wall Street brokers buying military grade mallets off the black market. The powerful “Secret Society of Ball and Stake” (aka The Wicket Syndicate) that may or may not control both the White House and North Korea.
It’s one thing to hear the stories; it’s another to go on the field and play for your life. This ain’t Candyland; this is Croquet Island.
We’ll supply the field, the equipment, and teach you the rules. We're playing nine-wicket croquet (aka "backyard croquet") which is the common version played in the US. We’ll also be playing in teams of two, so feel free to bring a partner in crime or come alone to be matched up with another wild card like yourself. You'll meet new people, viciously compete against them and hang out on a cool island. What could be better?
We'll meet and play on Governors Island, which can easily be reached by ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The exact meeting location will be sent a couple days in advance
While you're on the island, check out our history-focused walk on the same day!
