Padel, explained
Your first time on a padel court: what to expect
What to wear, what to bring, how long a game takes, and the three mistakes every beginner makes.
Nobody arrives at a padel court knowing what to do. Here is the whole of it.
What to wear
Normal sport clothes. Court shoes or trainers with a flat sole: running shoes with a thick heel are the one thing that will not help, because padel is played with small sideways steps rather than long strides. Indoor courts mean you do not need to think about sun or wind.
What to bring
Very little. Clubs normally have rackets to hire, so you do not need your own to start, and most people play several sessions before buying one. Bring water. A padel racket is heavier than it looks and lighter than a tennis racket, and you will not notice it until the next morning.
How long it takes
A booking is usually 60 or 90 minutes, and four people fill a court. An hour is a real workout without feeling like one, because the rallies do the work rather than the running.
The three mistakes everybody makes
- Hitting too hard. The glass gives the ball straight back. Soft and placed beats hard and flat, every time.
- Standing too far forward. Beginners crowd the net and get lobbed. Start further back and let the court help you.
- Panicking when the ball goes past. It is coming back off the glass. Turn, wait, and play it on the rebound. This is the shot that makes padel feel like padel.
Do you need a partner
Not usually. Clubs run social sessions and open games where you are put with other players, and because it is doubles, the standard matters less than in singles sports. A beginner and an experienced player on the same side is a normal, playable match.
Will you be any good
On day one, no, and it will not matter. Padel is unusual in that the beginner version of the game is already fun: the rallies happen, the points last, and you will be arguing about a line call within half an hour like everybody else.
Where to play on the Gold Coast
Parkwood Padel Club has premium indoor courts in the Sports Precinct at Parkwood Village, 76-104 Napper Road, Parkwood QLD 4214, open 07:00 to 22:00 every day. Indoor means the weather never cancels a game. The club is opening soon and the opening date, court hire prices and the number of courts are still to be confirmed.
Book a court on MATCHi