Padel has taken Bali by storm and all padel enthusiasts regardless of age and background are taking to the padel courts to try their hand at this exhilarating, fast-paced sport.
A mixture of tennis and squash, this sport has a huge following amongst locals and foreigners alike with padel courts mushrooming all over South Bali, in the most popular hotspots of Umalas, Canggu, Denpasar, and Legian.
This is good news for those who are just starting out and looking to develop their padel game, and for tourists and visitors to the island who are looking for a fun and adrenaline-pumping racket sport to enjoy. All of the padel courts are easily accessible from The Colony Hotel Bali, so let’s take a look at what you can expect when you play padel in Bali!
What Is Padel ?
As mentioned above, padel is a mix of tennis and squash and is played in an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash. Designed and invented by Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera, this sport looks very much like regular tennis, but the only similarities in both sports are the rackets and the ball.
From here on, the differences between padel and regular tennis are quite clear-cut, with both sports having their own separate strategy and end-game or goal. The equipment is different too – padel rackets are made of fiberglass or carbon fiber while regular tennis rackets have a slightly larger head with strings. Padel balls and tennis balls are made with the same materials and look the same externally, with the main difference being the internal pressure of the balls.
Padel Courts in Bali
The only equipment you need to play padel is a padel racket and a ball, and of course, a padel court which is smaller than a tennis court, approximately one-third of the size. The nearest padel court to The Colony Hotel Bali is Liga Tennis in Umalas, Jungle Padel, Jungle Padel Academy and Finns Recreation Club in Canggu, and Indopadel in Denpasar. If you happen to be on the other side of the island one day and decide to play a game or two of padel, try Sanur Padel Club. If you’re in Jimbaran, head to Bali Padel Center and The Island Sports Club in Uluwatu.
Padel courts in Bali are relatively new and are well maintained so they’re in good shape. They meet the international standard for padel playing in terms of dimensions and materials used for equipment and the turf. Lessons are conducted by qualified coaches who are all highly trained and certified. While at a padel court, you’ll have access to facilities like lockers, restrooms, and a seating area. Some padel courts in Bali might even have a refreshment area for you to order drinks and light bites.
Selected courts would organize matches, tournaments, and padel leagues, and might even offer their space for corporate workshops and team building. You can always speak to the staff at the padel courts of your choice or peruse their websites to learn more.
Can You Play Padel on a Tennis Court?
Padel may appear similar to regular tennis but this particular racket sport cannot be played on a tennis court. Padel must be played on padel courts, which are designed for four players and are roughly 25% smaller than the size of a tennis court. The game emphasizes teamwork and is not suitable for single matches.
Padel courts are also surrounded by glass or walls, which you can use to bounce your padel ball off. Dimensions and size would also differ from that of a tennis court – usually measuring 10 meters wide and 20 meters long – with the playing area divided into two equal halves by a net.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost to play this sport in Bali would vary depending on your chosen padel court but expect to fork out between IDR 100,000 to IDR 300,000 for a one-hour court rental. The price may or may not include the rent of a padel racket and ball and access to court facilities like lockers and showers.
Be sure to double-check with your padel court before booking as some courts charge a separate fee for padel racket and padel balls. Some courts offer private lessons for both kids and adults which can be purchased as a package or as single lessons.
Play Padel & Stay at the Colony Hotel Bali
Bali’s padel courts are all easily accessible from The Colony Hotel Bali by car or motorbike. Plan your next Bali getaway and padel adventure in Bali now and book your stay now with The Colony Hotel for a truly unforgettable experience with prices starting from IDR 1,500,000 per night*.