First, let’s pronounce it right. It’s PA-dl.
Padel may soon be bypassing pickleball as the South Florida sport trend of the moment, with courts and clubs opening up all over Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The game originated in Mexico and spread through Latin America. In the U.S., Florida is the sport’s fastest-growing state, with 56 clubs and 268 courts, about 41% of the total, according to the latest estimates from the International Padel Federation.
Padel is a member of the tennis/squash/pickleball family and is played in an enclosed court with four people. Players serve underhand and can use walls for strategy, allowing for longer rallies. Like pickleball, it’s super-social and a great full-body workout.
To get started, a private lesson costs about $100. An hour session goes for about $25 per player. Club owners say these prices are likely to go up as the sport surges in popularity.
Take a look at this sampling below and find the most convenient courts. It’s a good time to give the game a try so you’ll know what everyone’s talking about when they mispronounce the game as pa-DEL; after playing, you can correct them with confidence.
BROWARD COUNTY
10BY20
Where: 5300 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale
No. of courts: Five
Amenities: high ceilings, snack bar, changing rooms, showers, lockers, pro shop with racket rentals
Contact: 305-540-5719; 10by20.com
DIXSON PADEL AND PICKLEBALL CLUB
Where: 1700 S. Powerline Road, Bay E, Deerfield Beach.
No. of courts: Three
Amenities: tournaments, junior development programs, snacks
Contact: 754-200-1394; dixsonclub.com
OPEN PADEL CLUB BY LASAIGUES
Where: 7377 Riviera Blvd., Miramar
No. of courts: Five
Amenities: glass-enclosed courts, head professional is Alejandro Lasaigues, a former professional player from Argentina
Contact: 754-284-5578; openpadel.club
PADEL LIFE & SOCCER
Where: 1000 W. Pembroke Road, Hallandale Beach
No. of courts: Three
Amenities: locker rooms, coffee shop
Contact: 754-210-3913; Instagram.com/padel_life
EPIC ATHLETIC CLUB
Where: 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise
No. of courts: Seven
Amenities: recovery area with a cold plunge, retail store
Contact: 305-882-9651; epicathleticclub.playbypoint.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY
PADEL X BOCA
Where: 1081 Holland Drive, Boca Raton
No. of courts: Eight
Amenities: lounge, sauna, cold plunge and recovery area, clinics, tournaments, mixers
Contact: 305-922-9242; padelx.us (for a reservation, download the Playtomic app and search for Padel X Boca Raton)
THE REPLAY CLUB
Where: 6600 High Ridge Road, Boynton Beach
No. of courts: 10
Amenities: sauna, steam room, cold plunge, cafe
Contact: 561-484-7287; replay.playbypoint.com
KINETIC INDOOR RACQUET CLUB
Where: 1210 SW 35th Ave., Suite B, Boynton Beach.
No. of courts: One
Amenities: on-site physiotherapy, fitness and strength training, clinics every Saturday for beginner and intermediate players
Contact: 561-375-0911; kineticracquet.com
LEGIO GP PADEL WORLD
Where: 9045 Vista del Lago, Boca Raton
No. of courts: Three
Amenities: bar with smoothies and coffees, big screen to watch live events, plus second level can be rented for parties
Contact: 561-884-0456; legiogpworld.com
PALM BEACH PADEL
Where: 1710 Old Okeechobee Road, West Palm Beach
No. of courts: Four
Amenities: outdoor showers, cold plunge, sauna, cafe, lounge
Contact: 561-410-3724; palmbeachpadel.com
PADEL CLUB PALM BEACH
Where: 2025 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.
No. of courts: Four
Amenities: bar, cafe, pro shop, lounge, locker rooms with showers
Contact: 561-344-7272; padelclub.us
Want to learn more about padel or where to play other sports in South Florida? Send your questions to AskLois@sunsentinel.com.