What is Padel? A Complete Beginner's Guide for New Zealand

If you've heard people raving about padel lately and thought, "What even is that?" — you're not alone. Padel (pronounced "pa-DEL") is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it's finally landed in New Zealand. Think tennis meets squash, but more social, more accessible, and way more fun for people who aren't elite athletes.

Whether you've seen a court pop up near you or a mate won't stop talking about it, this guide covers everything you need to know — from how to play padel to where to find courts in NZ and what gear you actually need. Spoiler: you don't need much. A decent racket, some comfortable shoes, and three friends are enough to get started.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on a court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The court is enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing — and here's the fun part — the ball can be played off the walls, just like squash. That's what makes rallies last longer and the game feel so dynamic, even when you're just starting out.

The sport was invented in Mexico in the 1960s and exploded across Spain, Argentina, and the rest of Europe. Today there are over 25 million players worldwide. It's the second most popular sport in Spain (after football), and countries like Sweden, Italy, and the UAE have seen massive growth in just the last few years.

New Zealand is catching up fast. Courts are opening across the country, and the community is growing week by week. If you've been curious about padel in NZ, now is genuinely the perfect time to give it a go.

How Do You Play Padel?

If you're wondering how to play padel, the good news is that the padel rules are straightforward — especially if you've ever watched tennis.

The Basics

• Always doubles. Padel is played 2v2. That's part of what makes it so social — you always need four people, which means it's a built-in hangout.
• Underarm serve. You bounce the ball and hit it underarm, below waist height. No overhead smashes on the serve. This levels the playing field immediately.
• Scoring is the same as tennis. 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage. First to six games wins a set, and you typically play best of three sets.
• The walls are in play. After the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass wall and you can still return it. This is what makes padel unique — and what keeps rallies going.
• One bounce maximum. The ball must bounce once on the ground before hitting a wall. You can volley (hit it before it bounces) or play it off the wall after the bounce.

The Court

A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, enclosed on all sides. The back walls are solid glass (about 3 metres high), with metal fencing above and along the sides. There's a net in the middle, slightly lower than a tennis net. The surface is usually artificial turf with sand — grippy enough but forgiving on your joints.

Don't worry about memorising all the rules before your first game. Most people pick up the basics within 15 minutes of stepping on court. That's genuinely one of the best things about padel for beginners — you're having fun from the very first rally.

What Equipment Do You Need?

One of the reasons padel is so beginner-friendly is that you don't need much gear. Here's the essentials:

Padel Racket

A padel racket (sometimes called a paddle) is solid — no strings — with a perforated face and a short handle. They're made from materials like fibreglass, carbon fibre, or a mix of both. For beginners, you want something with a round or teardrop shape, which gives you a larger sweet spot and more control.

You don't need to spend a fortune. Many beginners start with rackets in the $100–$200 range, and that's plenty to learn the game properly. The key is getting something that's not too heavy (350–370g is ideal) and has a forgiving face.

Balls

Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls but have slightly less pressure, which means they bounce a bit lower. Most courts will have balls available, and a tube of three costs around $10–$15 if you want your own.

Shoes

You'll want shoes with a herringbone or omni-grip sole — the kind designed for artificial turf. Tennis shoes or indoor court shoes work fine when you're starting out. Just avoid running shoes — the soles are wrong for lateral movement and you'll slip.

Everything Else

Comfortable sports clothing. That's it. No special gloves, no specific shorts, no headband required (though you do you). Some players use overgrips or wristbands, but that's entirely optional.

Why is Padel So Popular?

There's a reason padel has gone from niche to mainstream in dozens of countries — and it's not hype. The sport genuinely solves a problem that a lot of people have: wanting to be active and social without needing years of practice to enjoy it.

It's Stupidly Social

Because it's always doubles, you're never playing alone. The court is small enough that you can chat between points (or during them). Most people play with friends, and it's common to grab a coffee or a beer afterwards. It's less "serious training session" and more "fun thing to do with your mates on a Wednesday evening."

Beginners Can Actually Play

In tennis, if you can't serve, you can't really play. In padel, the underarm serve and the smaller court mean you're having proper rallies within your first session. The walls keep the ball in play longer, so you're not spending half the time picking up balls. That instant gratification — actually playing the game, not just practising it — is what hooks people.

It's a Proper Workout (Without Feeling Like One)

A typical padel session burns 400–700 calories per hour. You're constantly moving, but because you're focused on the game, it doesn't feel like exercise. It's the kind of fitness that sneaks up on you — you'll be sore the next day and wondering why.

If you've tried pickleball and wondered how it compares to padel, the biggest difference is intensity. Padel is faster, more physical, and the wall play adds a whole extra dimension to strategy.

Where Can You Play Padel in New Zealand?

The padel NZ scene is growing quickly. New courts are being built every few months, and the community is welcoming to newcomers. Here's where you can find courts right now:

Auckland

Auckland has the most courts in the country, which makes sense given the population. You'll find padel courts at several locations across the city, including dedicated padel facilities and multi-sport centres. Many offer casual bookings as well as coaching sessions for beginners.

Wellington

Wellington's padel scene is building momentum. Courts have opened up in the greater Wellington region, with more planned. The tight-knit community means you'll quickly find regular playing partners if you turn up to social sessions.

Christchurch

The South Island's largest city has embraced padel too, with courts available for bookings. Christchurch players tend to be passionate about growing the sport locally, so expect a friendly welcome.

Other Regions

Courts are popping up in other parts of New Zealand as well — Tauranga, Hamilton, and Queenstown have all seen interest. The sport is expanding fast, and if your town doesn't have a court yet, it likely will soon.

How Much Does Padel Cost to Get Started?

One of padel's big advantages over sports like golf or skiing is the low barrier to entry. Here's a realistic breakdown of what you'll spend:

Court Hire

Most courts in New Zealand charge between $40–$60 per hour for a court booking. Split that four ways (remember, it's always doubles) and you're looking at $10–$15 per person per session. That's cheaper than a gym class and way more fun.

Racket

You can rent rackets at most facilities for $5–$10 per session, which is great for your first few games. When you're ready to buy your own, beginner rackets range from $80 to $250. Our Paloma Padel Racket is $149 — carbon fibre at a price most beginners pay for fibreglass. It'll last you well beyond the beginner stage.

Balls

A tube of three padel balls costs $10–$15. They last a few sessions before losing their bounce.

Shoes

If you already own court shoes or tennis shoes, you're sorted. If not, a decent pair of padel shoes runs $100–$180. But honestly, any flat-soled court shoe will do while you're learning.

Total to Get Started

For your first session with rental gear: about $20. To buy your own racket and be set for months: around $160–$200 all-in. Not bad for a sport you can play year-round.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Every beginner makes these. Knowing about them in advance won't stop you completely — but it'll speed up your learning.

1. Swinging Too Hard

This is the number one mistake. Padel isn't about power — it's about placement and control. The walls do a lot of the work for you. Focus on getting the ball back in play rather than trying to hit winners. The points will come naturally.

2. Standing Too Far Back

New players tend to hang near the back wall. But in padel, the net is where you win points. Get comfortable moving forward after your return and taking a position at the net. That's where the magic happens.

3. Ignoring the Walls

The walls are your friend. When the ball bounces off the glass behind you, resist the urge to panic — let it come off the wall, then play your shot with more time and better positioning. Learning to read wall bounces is what separates padel from every other racket sport.

4. Not Communicating with Your Partner

Padel is a team sport. Call the ball, let your partner know if you're moving, and figure out who covers the middle. The best doubles pairs aren't necessarily the most skilled — they're the ones who talk to each other.

5. Overthinking the Serve

The underarm serve isn't meant to be an ace. It's just a way to start the point. Aim to get it in consistently — a nice, controlled serve to the back corner — and save your energy for the rally.

Ready to Play? Your First Session Checklist

Here's everything you need for your first time on a padel court:

• ✅ Book a court — find one near you and book for an hour
• ✅ Find three friends — padel is always doubles, so you need a group of four
• ✅ Grab a racket — rent one at the court or bring your own
• ✅ Wear court shoes — flat soles with grip, no running shoes
• ✅ Bring water — you'll be more active than you expect
• ✅ Arrive 10 minutes early — give yourself time to warm up and get a feel for the court
• ✅ Leave your ego at the door — everyone's a beginner at some point, and padel people are ridiculously welcoming

That's it. No special training required. No need to watch hours of YouTube tutorials (though they help). Just get on court, hit some balls, laugh at the ones that fly off the wall in weird directions, and enjoy yourself.

Padel is growing in New Zealand because it works — it's social, it's active, and it's genuinely fun from day one. The hardest part is booking that first session. Everything after that takes care of itself.