Fun Mix of Tennis, Squash!…read more
I've been wanting to try padel for a while, and Park Padel was a great place for my first experience!
For anyone who's never heard of it, padel is a mix of tennis and squash. It was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, after businessman Enrique Corcuera realized he didn't have enough room in his backyard for a full-size tennis court. A fun piece of trivia is that the first official rulebook was written by his wife, Viviana, a former Miss Argentina, and she gave it to him as a birthday present.
Instead of stringed tennis rackets, you use solid paddles with holes in them, and you play with a low-compression tennis ball. The court is surrounded by glass and mesh walls, and after the ball bounces, you can play it off the walls, which makes for some really fun rallies. The rules are easy to learn, so beginners can start playing pretty quickly.
Park Padel has four doubles courts, so it's designed for four players per game. Some padel clubs also have singles courts, but this location doesn't.
The staff were friendly and accommodating, and booking was straightforward. Prices vary depending on whether you're a first-time visitor, the time of day, or if you have a membership, so I'd just check their website and pick your preferred date and time to see the current rate. Parking is free in the same complex.
My only complaints are that there's no overhead net, so the ball occasionally flies into the neighboring businesses, and the courts aren't covered. Sacramento summer heat is no joke: I was already drenched in sweat after just a few minutes in the sun, so I can only imagine how much you'll sweat during a full 1-2 hour match. Morning or evening sessions would definitely be more comfortable.
The location is a big plus. It's right next to Drake's: The Barn, Franquette, and Birdies, so it's easy to grab a meal or drinks and hang out after your game.
Overall, padel is super fun, easy to learn, and a great workout.