If you keep hearing about padel and aren’t quite sure what it is, you’re not alone — and you’re early. Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and this is a good moment to start.
What is padel?
Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and mesh. You serve underarm, the ball can be played off the walls (like squash), and rallies build quickly. The rackets are solid and stringless, and the scoring is the same as tennis.
The short version: padel is easier to rally than tennis, more social than squash, and more fun than either from your very first game.
Why padel is exploding
Padel took off in Spain and Latin America, swept across Europe, and is now growing fast across Asia and Indonesia. The reasons are simple:
- It’s easy to start. Most people can keep a rally going in their first session.
- It’s social by design. It’s played two-versus-two, so it’s built around friends.
- It’s genuinely addictive. Easy to enjoy, endlessly deep to improve at.
Easy to start, hard to master
That’s the magic of padel. A complete beginner has fun on day one, while experienced players spend years refining position, the lob, the smash off the glass, and the patience to build a point. You’re never bored — there’s always a next thing to learn.
What you need to play
Not much: a padel racket, court shoes, comfortable clothes and, ideally, three other people. Most clubs rent rackets and balls, so you can turn up and play before you invest in anything. Learn the underarm serve and the basic “let it come off the wall” instinct and you’re already playing real padel.
How to start playing in Bali
The best way to begin is with proper coaching and players at your level. At the Nomads Academy in Canggu, we’re building padel around exactly that — small groups banded by ability, a coach who follows your progress, and AI tracking and video on every court so you can see your game, not just feel it. It begins with a free hit: a real read on where you’re at, no commitment.
Padel is easy to love and easy to start. All you have to do is turn up.
Opening November 2026 · Padonan, Canggu, Bali. → Join the opening list.
