Sometimes referred to as Padel Tennis, Padel takes the best attributes from tennis and squash and combines them into an activity for all ages. A solid ‘padel’ replaces a strung racket and while a tennis ball and net are used, the court is smaller and has walls on 3 sides, similar to a squash court, but usually made of transparent glass or Perspex.
The sport originated in Mexico in the 1960s, and gradually made its way over to Spain and then France. Now tennis courts are rapidly being converted to Padel courts here in the UK.
To put it bluntly, it’s easier. Squash and tennis have high barriers to entry in terms of skill, and like golf, they ideally require a certain standard before enjoyment can flourish. And if you’re someone who loves an underarm tennis serve, Padel is for you. Its popularity is testament to its ease of entry and the enjoyment it gives, right from the get-go.
Padel also has high social and interactive appeal because it is played in pairs. And now over 200,000 people in the UK have adopted the sport as a hobby. Women’s Health magazine states up to 1,000 calories are burned per session, defying those who say you can’t have fun and exercise at the same time!
Yes, if you have the space, and you certainly don’t need as much as is required for a tennis court. At HollandGreen Landscapes we have designed several private gardens for homeowners wanting their own private court for unlimited Padel playing. We design and then collaborate with approved specialist landscapers to install the court. One aspect to consider is that the cost to install a court may be more expensive than a tennis court due to the concrete foundations needed to hold the toughened glass in place.
Padel courts are approximately 3-times smaller than tennis courts, meaning far more gardens in the UK have the potential to install one. Converting an old tennis court to a Padel court can be the way to go, which gives back more garden to design for other landscaping or green spaces.
Planning rules in many local authorities can be strict and Planning Officers will want the look and character of the property to remain unchanged. You may need to consider screening and ensuring a cohesive mix of materials to integrate with the rest of your garden, so it’s important to enlist the services of a specialist to get this right.
With toughened glass walls, strong winds must also be a consideration. Foundations for the walls must be built to a high standard to ensure they are robust, and other wind avoidance measures in the design should be considered so game play is not affected either.
Sustainability, something we champion at HollandGreen, can be a consideration too. As with any sports structure, it is vital that a drainage and rainwater collection strategy is implemented, and this will be important to demonstrate to Planning Officers.
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