What to wear
- Trainers with good grip. Court or tennis shoes are ideal. Worn-down running shoes can be slippery on padel turf.
- Comfortable sports clothes. Whatever you'd wear to the gym is fine.
- A layer for outdoor courts if it's chilly: you'll warm up quickly once you're playing.
What to bring
- A water bottle. You'll move more than you expect.
- A racket, if you have one. If not, most venues hire them out.
- Balls are often provided or sold at the venue, so check when you book.
Booking a court
Courts are usually booked for 60 or 90 minutes, either for a group of four or as a single place in an open game. Many venues also run beginner sessions and coached taster classes, which are a great way to start if you don't yet have three friends to play with.
What to expect on court
- Arrive ten minutes early to check in, find your court and pick up a racket.
- Warm up with a gentle rally near the net, then try a few shots off the back glass.
- Agree the scoring. Golden point and a relaxed approach to close calls work well for first games.
- Swap partners if you're in a group of mixed levels, so everyone gets a fair game.
Nervous about your first game? Almost everyone is. The walls keep the ball in play, the serve is gentle, and most players remember their own first session. Just say it's your first time: people are glad to help.