What’s padel? Miami just got a luxurious new waterfront club to play this sport
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While Miami is trying desperately to find more places to build pickleball courts, a new game is heading to town.
We’re talking padel.
Padel what? Think of it as a close cousin of tennis, racquetball and squash.
The story goes that back in 1969, Mexican millionaire Enrique Corcuera had the urge to build a tennis court on his Acapulco property, but didn’t have enough space. So Corcuera decided to downsize, and construct a smaller version, about a third of the size of a conventional tennis court, surrounded by walls. To hit the ball over the net in such an enclosed area, this genius switched out his racket for a wooden paddle.
Dale.
Some 50 odd years later, padel ball is the hottest game in town. Our town.
You may have started hearing the p-word last February, when developer Wayne Boich brought the six day World Padel Tour to Island Gardens for the inaugural tournament.
Now Boich is getting serious: The Miami Beach resident has just opened a 50,000-square-foot pop-up called Reserve Padel at the Miami Seaplane Base.
A release on the new venue makes it seem more like a chic nightclub than a place to get your sweat on: “Reserve’s mission is to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights by offering unparalleled luxury experiences — both on and off the court — with a presence across multiple verticals.”
In addition to six professional glass-enclosed courts, the 50,000-square-foot space houses several viewing stations, including a bayfront outdoor deck; full service bar; drinks and eats, from Pura Vida; a pro shop; and wellness area offering massages.
Reserve Padel has already attracted high-profile fans of the sport including David Beckham, Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams and Jimmy Butler.
The Miami Heat star told CBS4 last year during the Miami Padel Open that he won’t quit his day job, but he’s pretty good.
“Everybody thinks I’m great at basketball, but it’s crazy how talented I am when I have a padel racket in my hand.”
Reserve Padel
Where: 1000 MacArthur Causeway, Miami
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Info: Book your court online at www.reservepadel.com, 786-279-0722. Prices begin at $100 an hour. Reserve also offers lessons, ranging between $100 and $150 per person. The venue also hosts women’s clinics on the court every Tuesday from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. for $40 per person.
