Padel has taken the North Coast by storm in the last couple of years.
We decided it was time to try the trendy sport for ourselves at Africa Padel in Ballito.
When we decided to step out of the office and onto the padel court for the first time, excitement and a hint of nervousness filled the air. None of us had ever played before, but we were eager to dive in and see what the buzz was about.
We gathered at Africa Padel in Ballito on a warm winter’s afternoon. Our coaches, Clinton and Saajid, gave us a brief introduction to the equipment: solid rackets and a depressurised tennis ball; as well as an overview of the rules. The game combines elements of squash and tennis, is typically played in doubles and has the same scoring system as tennis.
The game began, and it quickly became clear that padel is all about teamwork and strategy. The smaller court size meant we had to communicate constantly, strategise our shots, and stay on our toes. Unlike tennis, the ball can be played off the walls, adding an exciting dimension to the game. Our initial clumsy attempts contributed to plenty of laughter, but we quickly got the hang of it.
As the session wrapped up, we were sweaty, slightly sore, but undeniably hooked! We enjoyed a well-earned lunch at The Orange Tree, located at the padel courts – they serve up tasty toasted sarmies, smoothies and coffees, which really hit the spot after our workout.
WHAT DID THE TEAM THINK OF PADEL?
JENNIFER CAMPBELL, EDITOR
It was so much fun learning something new and spending time outside the office with the team. I found it less technical than tennis and it was relatively easy to get the hang of. The coaches were great at sharing tips and tricks to improve our technique. The game was very social, the rules fairly simple and even as beginners, we were able to enjoy some good rallies.
JESSMICA DEPALAL, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
At first, I was nervous but I found the game highly enjoyable once I got the hang of it. There was also a good vibe and music, as well as friendly, motivational staff to help us find our rhythm. The first surprise was when the ball came out of nowhere and hit me on the head! The fast pace kept me on my toes. It was great workout while still being accessible and enjoyable for players of varying fitness levels.
LISA SMITH, ONLINE COORDINATOR, ADMIN & SALES SUPPORT
I enjoyed getting outside in the sunshine and being active. It was good to run around and get the body moving, but mostly I enjoyed having fun as a team. It’s not a game of extreme effort and having been a tennis and squash player, it takes a bit of adjusting at the beginning of play – the ball bouncing off the glass acts in one’s favour. A game can be competitive or low-key enjoyment! I also enjoyed the helpfulness and friendly manner of the Africa Padel guys.
JANINE NYCE, SALES REPRESENTATIVE
You don’t have to be an experienced player to have fun playing padel. Once you start playing, you quickly pick up on how the game works, and it’s not actually that hard! It’s a fun, social game, where you can meet lots of new people. The environment at the club is so friendly and welcoming.
TRIVESHNI POONSAMY, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
I enjoyed learning how to play the game and actually seeing myself improving. I also had fun playing with the rest of the team. You can learn a lot from observing how others play too. I didn’t expect it to be so addictive. Once you get into the game, you tend to lose track of time. It’s fast-paced and physically demanding, but very enjoyable.
NATALIE BERTRAM, SALES REPRESENTATIVE
I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. As a person who isn’t too bothered by sports, I couldn’t wrap my head around the padel “addiction”, but after our game, I now understand the craze. Whether a beginner or experienced, there was always room to learn and improve skills and I was amazed that I got the hang of it after just one match.
Details: Africa Padel Ballito, 3601 Douglas Crowe Drive; www.africapadel.com;
031 943 1681; IG@ @africapadel
