Community tests their hand at padel (video)

Padel players have a new club to call home after Virgin Active South Africa’s Padel Club partnered with Epic Padel to launch a new club at Huddle Park.
The launch took place at Huddle Park Golf and Recreation’s grounds on July 6 when community members from far and wide attended the event, enjoying the evening and trying their hand at the sport.

Last October, Virgin Active Padel Club initiated and has since established its partnership with several padel clubs.
As one of SA’s leading padel companies Epic Padel has built several iconic clubs, including the country’s first multi-court indoor arena, covered outdoor court and the singles courts.
“Incorporating Padel into our offering was an obvious decision for us, considering how the sport has grown exponentially, globally and in South Africa,” said MD of Virgin Active South Africa Jessica Spira.
“The ease of the game makes it accessible and inclusive for all ages.”

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Epic Padel clubs at Huddle Park, Durbanville and The Glen are currently rebranding as Virgin Active Padel Club and an aggressive rollout of new padel clubs at Virgin Active clubs and other sites across South Africa will take place over the next year.

Expansion at Huddle Park and progress on new clubs at Randpark Golf Club and Groenkloof Bowling Club are already underway.
Co-founder of Epic Padel Elian Wiener said he and fellow founders Adam Fine and Richard Lewis are thrilled to bring this epic partnership to South Africans.
Through the partnership with Virgin Active, the trio hope to continue the expansion of the sport.

“Our focus is to build and operate padel courts at Virgin Active clubs as well as standalone locations nationwide.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our passion for padel to Virgin Active, enabling even more opportunities for people to get fit, have fun and build relationships,” said Wiener.

First-time padel player Lesh Moodley from Randburg said he enjoyed his time on the court.
Describing the sport as a mixture of squash and tennis, Moodley said the speed of the game is similar to squash while having a pace similar to tennis.
Kibler Park resident Nokuthula Ndlovu, who tried her hand at the sport for the first time at the launch, said she too enjoyed the sport.
“It’s more than fitness, you can have fun while playing the sport.”

Rosebank resident Jéanne Steyn, who has played padel since December, said he transitioned to sport from golf.
“The courts are incredible. They are high quality. As a padel player it’s exciting to see new courts opening around Johannesburg and this is by far one of the nicest ones around,” said Steyn.
As someone who loves the sport, Steyn said it can be played by anyone of any age from primary school-aged learners to the elderly.

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André Pieters a Kempton Park resident who tried padel for the first time described his experience with the sport as extremely fun.
“I enjoyed playing the game, I am a bit unfit so I need to work on my running speed but it was a very fun experience overall.”
Virgin Active Padel Clubs are open to everyone.

This will allow gym members and non-members to book and play on the courts.
Players will also have access to bathroom and locker room facilities, food and beverage offerings, coaching, leagues, and tournaments.
A variety of padel merchandise, most notably the largest range of Adidas padel products, will be available to buy and rent in our pro shops.
Spira said through the establishment of more padel clubs Virgin Active hopes to establish places where anyone can come to exercise, have fun and socialise
“With Epic Padel, we look forward to growing our footprint to provide safe, inclusive and healthy Padel experiences to communities across the country,” she said.

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