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Your guide to padel in Cape Town and surrounds
From the suburbs to winelands, whale route and CBD
Last updated: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Padel popped up out of nowhere, and suddenly it’s all anyone can talk about. It’s the fastest growing sport in the world.
From the first padel court in Cape Town to the only pink court in Africa. We're bringing you a guide of padel in Cape Town. Plus: Watch the videos of highlights, or an explanation of how to play & rules.
WHERE PADEL STARTED IN CAPE TOWN: CENTURY CITY
This is where it all started. The first padel court in Cape Town, that was imported from Portugal. Action Padel has two courts located next to Canal Walk Mall. The club often hosts tournaments and special-themed events like a Valentine’s dress up or special days where court entry is the same price as a cup of coffee. Prices vary depending on the peak times of the day and week.
Hours: Monday and Sunday, 9am to 10pm; Tuesday - Saturday, 8am to 10pm
Cost: Early bird from R290, Off peak from R145, Peak from R360
Century Boulevard | Century City | @actionpadel.sa | Image: Action Padel
AFRICA'S PINK PADEL COURT: HERMANUS
Why not have a game on the only pink padel court in Africa? Play Padel, located at the Hermanus Sports Club, has four outdoor courts (three of which are traditional blue). After the match you can have a meal at the clubhouse restaurant and bar. Memberships are available with various specials including discounted rentals.
Hours: Daily, 7am to 11pm
Cost: Peak, R400 per hour; Off-peak, R320 per hour
Hermanus Sports Club | Jose Burman Drive | Hermanus | @play_padel_za | Image: Play Padel
PICNIC & PADEL IN STELLENBOSCH
Picnic and padel – a match made in heaven. This recently-opened padel venue is found on a wine estate just outside Stellenbosch. The courts overlook the Zorgvliet vineyards, and it’s situated next to the bistro and picnic area. You can have a picnic and wine delivered to you at the courts.
Hours: Daily, 7am to 10pm
Cost: From R400 per hour
Helshoogte Road | Stellenbosch Central | @zorgvlietwines | Image: Zorgvliet Wines
PLAY PADEL TILL MIDNIGHT IN PAARDEN EILAND
Possibly the cheapest padel courts in Cape Town with it's R75 per court in off peak times. You can play till midnight at Arturf Padel Arena in Paarden Eiland. There are four indoor courts and two outdoor clay courts to choose from. Stick around and play 5v5 football, or catch up on some work in the boardrooms or working spaces (long live flexi hours).
Hours: Daily, 6am to 12am
Cost: From the extremely cheap price of R75 per padel court in off peak to R300 per hour in peak times
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39 Industry Road | Paarden Eiland
PLAY PADEL IN THE V&A WATERFRONT
These padel courts in the V&A Waterfront are tucked between an Italian bistro and the V&A Waterfront shopping centre. There are five courts to play on. You can book private padel classes or just play for fun with friends. And after the match you can get a post-workout pizza or pasta with your mates at Lievita.
Hours: Daily, 6am to 11pm
Cost: From R500 per hour
1 Marina Road | Green Point | @africapadel | Image: Africa Padel
PADEL OR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING IN SOMERSET WEST
Besides padel, Lourensford Wine Estate has a hub of bucket list activities. There’s clay pigeon shooting, Wedgewood nougat tastings, wine tastings, weekly markets, award-winning restaurants and of course padel. The two outdoor padel courts are surrounded by views of mountains and greenery.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 6am to 10pm
Cost: From R320 per hour
Lourensford Wine Estate | Somerset West | @vapadelclub_lourensford | Image: Virgin Active Padel Club
PADEL COURTS WITH VIBE IN CLAREMONT
Africa Padel in Claremont has a whopping nine courts to choose from, all with mountain views. The go-to southern suburbs hub is conveniently situated between top schools, and close to Cavendish Square. Private lessons are available.
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 6am to 10pm; Sunday, 8am to 9pm
Cost: From R400 per hour
Herschel Close | Claremont | @africapadel | Image: Africa Padel
BEST SETTING TO PLAY PADEL? IN CAMPS BAY
Arguably one of the most beautiful locations to play padel in Cape Town, Africa Padel in Camps Bay has five courts, both indoor and outdoor. The indoor court is found in inside a Victorian dome-style building (The Rotunda), and the outside courts overlook the beach and ocean.
It’s located at the back off to Bay Hotel, has a kids playground and relaxed restaurant on site, with a balcony, where you'll find the true Camps Bay locals.
Hours: Daily, 6am to 10pm
Cost: From R400 per hour
The Rotunda | AF Keen Drive | Camps Bay | @africapadel | Image: Africa Padel
WHERE TO PLAY PADEL IN TABLE VIEW
The panoramic crystal padel courts at Atlantic Padel are imported from Spain. There’s epic views of Table Mountain and a coffee shop with pizza onsite. Plus, there are frequent competitions, tournaments and league cups hosted with cash prizes.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 6am to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 6am to 8pm
Cost: From R350 per hour
1 Donkin Avenue | Table View | @atlantic.padel | Image: Atlantic Padel
HOW TO PLAY PADEL
Padel is typically played in doubles with two teams (so four people total), and has its own unique racket. It's a great sport for all ages as it’s easy to pick up on the rules.
The game is often referred to as a combination of tennis and squash, as it uses the same point scoring system as tennis and the wall dimensions of squash.
(WATCH) PADEL EXPLAINED IN A FEW MINUTES:
HOW TO BOOK PADEL GAMES IN CAPE TOWN
Scheduling a Padel game in Cape Town is the same as other places in the world. The Playtomic App does it all. If you don't know it; it's a nifty app and super easy to also find other people to play Padel games with.
You sign up for an account and add payment details. You can look up people you know, schedule matches, invite players, and you can cancel up to 12 hours before the game.
The Cape Town padel locations listed above are booked via Playtomic.
Hourly rates are per court and can be split amongst players. Equipment rentals such as rackets, grips and balls are available at all the locations. Most locations or clubs have their own Padel whatsapp groups where you can get yourself added for news on games, competitions, lessons. Americanos and competitions.
The nice thing is that if you fill in the scores, you get awarded points and your ranking goes up, or down if you lose. This means you get a feel for how good people are and you can find people at your own level.
WATCH: GET A TASTE OF PADEL (AND PLAY IN CAPE TOWN!)
Here's a video of the best points scored in padel in 2023.
Now the only thing you need to decide on is whether you call it Paddle or PadEL.
By Sarah Williams
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ENJOY MORE OF THE OUTDOORS
Every Thursday there’s free beach volleyball.
You can rollerblade, BMX and more at this skatepark for all ages.
There’s over 100 activities on our summer bucket list.
Our weekly guide of events for the week(end).
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