For people who live in big cities or often surf social media may already be similar to the recent padel trend. This is a sport that looks similar to tennis at first, and it has gained popularity both internationally and locally.
What has caused this trend to emerge? This article explains padel in detail to help you understand this phenomenon. Discover more in the article below!
History of Padel
Enrique Corcuera was the first person to play padel. He first played it in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico.
This began from Enrique’s desire to modify his squash court, which eventually led to the creation of a new sport by incorporating elements of tennis. Padel was then created, and Enrique included his last name in the sport, calling it Pádel Corcuera.
One of Enrique’s friends, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, thought that padel had the potential to become highly popular. He introduced it to Spain, where it became one of the most popular sports. Padel’s popularity then spread to other countries in Europe and Latin America.
In 1991, the Federación Internacional de Pádel (FIP), the international governing body of padel, was established. Through the FIP, padel evolved beyond a recreational activity into a professional sport with international competitions.
Why Padel Becomes a Trend
Some people may think that people play padel because of FOMO (fear of missing out). In other words, they feel left out if they don’t follow this trend.
There are a few reasons why this sport is loved, including the following:
1. Padel is Relatively Easier
In fact, padel is easier than tennis. Many newcomers who find tennis difficult do not need much time to become skilled at padel. Here are a few reasons why this happens:
- Easy underhand serve: In padel, the serve is performed underhand. Before hitting the ball, the player must bounce the ball once on the ground. This rule reduces the risk of failing to get the ball into play.
- Padel balls are easier to control: Padel balls tend to be softer with lower air pressure, and the bounce is not as high or fast as tennis balls. The players have more time to prepare their serve and control the ball.
- Padel rackets are lighter and more solid: A padel racket surface has multiple perforations. It is light, shorter with an ergonomic design. Padel rackets are easier to control and help reduce the risk of wrist or shoulder injuries.
- Smaller court size: A padel court is about 25% smaller than a tennis court, which is approximately 200 m². For new players, this is highly beneficial since you don’t have to run as much to chase the ball.
- Padel is played as a doubles game: Almost all padel matches are played in doubles. This format requires all players to be responsible for smaller areas, resulting in less pressure.
2. Padel as A Social and Competitive Activity
As mentioned previously, most padel matches are played in doubles. Playing together with a partner is not only easier, but it also builds strong communication for more engaging gameplay.
In addition, padel players often join communities or clubs, providing great opportunities to build networks and relationships.
Nevertheless, padel is not only a recreational sport since it is also a serious competition. Many padel clubs actively hold social matches, friendly games, or community days. Globally, there is a professional league known as Premier Padel.
Padel may seem enjoyable, however, this sport requires strategic positioning, partner coordination, and ball control.
3. A Suitable Option for a Healthier Life
One of the reasons why padel is loved is that this sport support a more active and social lifestyle. However, don’t forget that it is essentially a sport. Most people are already aware of the health benefits.
In padel, you are required to perform continuous and repetitive movements. This helps strengthen the heart and improve blood circulation throughout the body. Padel also improves hand-eye coordination, as you need to observe the ball’s movement and react quickly.
Another important benefit of padel is that it burns calories. A padel session can burn a significant number of calories. This sport is suitable for you who aim for weight loss.
Padel as a Trend in Indonesia
In Indonesia, two of the earliest figures to introduce padel were Simon McMenemy (former Indonesian National Team coach) and Eric Entrena.
Since its initial appearance, padel has been seen as a trendy sport. Various padel clubs and courts have been opened in major cities, including Jakarta and Bandung. Some public figures have also helped popularize this trend.
Padel’s popularity in Indonesia has also been driven by social media. Information about padel, ranging from court locations and playing tips to tournament schedules, is easily accessible.
Many padel players share their experiences on social media, attracting more people to try the sport and increasing its online visibility.
The Indonesian padel association (PBPI) has also been established to connect athletes, coaches, and fans, with the goal of positioning Indonesia as a hub for padel in Asia.
The padel trend is indeed interesting, as it offers health, social, and entertainment benefits.
However, do not forget to meet hydration needs to enjoy optimal benefits from padel. AQUA 600 ml is an ideal partner for you.
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Why AQUA DULU? Because not all mineral water is AQUA. AQUA comes from selected mountains, with protected sources through 9 selection criteria, 5 stages, and at least one year of research across more than 600 parameters.
AQUA is an Indonesian native product which is safe to consume since it has fulfilled the certifications for the Indonesian Foods and Drugs Association and Indonesian National Standard. AQUA is 100% Pure, 100% Indonesia, and 100% Halal.
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