Move over tennis and squash, there\u2019s a new racquet sport captivating Surrey, and it\u2019s not just a fleeting trend. Padel, a dynamic blend of tennis and squash, has taken the county by storm. From purpose-built clubs to additions at traditional racquet venues, this fast-paced, social game is drawing players of all ages and skill levels.<\/p>\n
WHAT IS PADEL, AND WHY NOW?<\/p>\n
Originating in Mexico in the 1960s, padel has grown into the\u00a0fastest-growing sport in the world, especially booming in Spain, Italy, and Argentina. Played in doubles on an enclosed glass-walled court about a third the size of a tennis court, it combines strategic play with high-energy rallies. What makes padel uniquely attractive is its\u00a0accessibility. Minimal technique is needed to get started, yet the tactical depth keeps players hooked for years. In Surrey, padel’s presence is expanding rapidly. Both\u00a0Ezee Padel in Weybridge\u00a0and\u00a0Ashtead Squash, Tennis and Padel introduced courts around 2020 and neither have looked back since. \u201cGlobally, padel is a game which anyone can learn to play in a short space of time,\u201d says Peter, the founder of\u00a0Ezee Padel. \u201cIt ticks all the boxes for physical and mental health, plus it’s just fun to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
A SPORT THAT\u2019S BREAKING BOUNDARIES<\/p>\n
One of padel’s most remarkable features is how it attracts a diverse demographic – families, couples, juniors, and older adults alike. Unlike more technically demanding sports like squash or tennis, padel\u2019s learning curve is surprisingly gentle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen everyone from juniors to players over 80 years of age picking up a racquet,\u201d says\u00a0Ezee Padel.<\/p>\n
Over in Ashtead, club chairman Mike explains, \u201cWe had a lady in her late 40\u2019s who had never played a racquet sport. She started with coaching, got hooked and three years later now represents the club in Surrey interclub matches. That success can only breed more success.\u201d<\/p>\n
FROM NOVELTY TO NECESSITY<\/p>\n
Since opening its panoramic courts nestled in the greenbelt,\u00a0Ezee Padel\u00a0has seen such overwhelming demand that it\u2019s had to\u00a0close off new memberships. Ashtead’s padel court also went from a novelty to a high-traffic hotspot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went from a handful of players at the start to several hundred by 2025,\u201d notes Ashtead. \u201cWe really need another court now!\u201d<\/p>\n
Foxhills Country Club in Ottershaw has also extended its padel power and has three courts now. Foxhills\u2019 Country Club and Full Members receive access to a comprehensive schedule of group padel coaching sessions for all ages and abilities. They also offer the chance to play socially and competitively with teams in local leagues and regular in-house tournaments and mixers. They run lots of events and competitions including the Club Championships Finals and Festival of Racquets as well as regular padel open days so guests can try out the sport.<\/p>\n
Part of padel\u2019s appeal is its\u00a0social aspect. Clubs regularly host club nights, tournaments and coaching sessions. These aren’t just for seasoned players; beginners are welcomed with open arms and find themselves part of a community from day one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe run a tournament every two months and regular exhibitions,\u201d adds\u00a0Ezee Padel. \u201cOur Friday friendly and even a recent Padel Dance session showed how much fun people are having with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
THE SURREY SURGE<\/p>\n
While Scotland was early to the padel party in the UK, Surrey is quickly catching up and now may be\u00a0leading the charge\u00a0in southern England. According to both clubs, the sport is reshaping how people approach racquet sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurrey was slow to get going,\u201d admits Ashtead, \u201cbut is now one of the\u00a0leading counties in the UK. Demographics work in our favour, close to London, good access and clubs are investing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sporting bodies like the\u00a0Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)\u00a0and\u00a0Sport England\u00a0have been pivotal in padel\u2019s development. Elmbridge and Mole Valley councils have also provided key support in getting courts approved and built. However, the rise hasn\u2019t been without hurdles.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlanning permission has become more difficult,\u201d says\u00a0Ezee Padel, citing noise concerns in residential areas. Ashtead echoes this: \u201cPadel noise can be intrusive. We do our best to mitigate it.\u201d Despite the occasional challenge, both clubs are confident that padel is\u00a0here to stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has already started to impact tennis and squash,\u201d notes\u00a0Ezee Padel. \u201cHow juniors are introduced to all three in the future will determine which sports take top spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ashtead sees it differently: \u201cIt\u2019s an additional sport, not a replacement. Members still play squash or tennis, but padel gives them more variety, and that can only be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
FACILITIES THAT SERVE MORE THAN SPORT<\/p>\n
Padel\u2019s rise has also helped\u00a0revitalise local clubs. At Ashtead, the introduction of padel has boosted total club membership by around 40%, many from the local area.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s helped us build a stronger sense of community,\u201d says Ashtead. \u201cWe\u2019ve even had Chelsea FC players take part in events here!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ezee Padel, meanwhile, is giving back by offering\u00a0free access to U3A (University of the Third Age)\u00a0members and running regular inclusive sessions.<\/p>\n
Both clubs offer strong\u00a0coaching programmes\u00a0and social events, ensuring that whether you\u2019re a beginner or an aspiring competitor, there\u2019s a place for you on court.<\/p>\n
WHY YOU SHOULD PICK UP A PADEL RACQUET<\/p>\n
For those still wondering if it\u2019s worth trying, the message from both clubs is clear: just give it a go.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is as simple as dropping the ball and hitting it over the net,\u201d says\u00a0Ezee Padel.<\/p>\n
Ashtead adds, \u201cHave no fear. It\u2019s extremely easy to pick up, especially with good coaching. It\u2019s been labelled the\u00a0fastest growing sport in the world, and it\u2019s easy to see why.\u201d<\/p>\n
FINAL WORD<\/p>\n
Padel isn\u2019t just a sport, it\u2019s a movement. With accessibility, fun and community at its core, it\u2019s no surprise that Surrey is quickly becoming a UK hotspot. Whether you’re a former athlete, a total novice, or simply curious, there\u2019s never been a better time to step onto the glass-walled court and discover what all the buzz is about.<\/p>\n
WORDS BY: KAISER AKHTAR<\/p>\n
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Move over tennis and squash, there\u2019s a new racquet sport captivating Surrey, and it\u2019s not just a fleeting trend. Padel, a dynamic blend of tennis and squash, has taken the county by storm. From purpose-built clubs to additions at traditional racquet venues, this fast-paced, social game is drawing players of all ages and skill levels. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8318,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"yoast_head":"\n