HEALTH + WELLNESS
EXPLORING THE PADEL PHENOMENON AT SQUARE ONE, SITTINGBOURNE
WHILE THE SUMMER MONTHS DRAW TO A CLOSE, THERE’ S SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHANGING SEASONS THAT MAKES US WANT TO SHAKE UP OUR ROUTINES AND DISCOVER A HOBBY WE DIDN’ T KNOW WE NEEDED. SO, WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE FOR A TEAM TRIP TO SQUARE ONE PADEL & SOCIAL CLUB, KENT’ S LARGEST AND MOST EXCLUSIVE PADEL EXPERIENCE, IT FELT LIKE THE PERFECT TIME TO PUT OUR SKILLS TO THE TEST.
BY EMILY STURGEON
In line with the recent opening of Square One’ s newest padel and social club in Sittingbourne, it felt only right for team iK, as self-confessed beginners, to give the new sporting phenomenon a go. Padel( pronounced‘ paddle’) is the latest sports craze; not squash, not tennis and definitely not pickleball- the racket, it seems, has taken on a new form and the UK seems to be taking notice.
Played within an enclosed court surrounded by glass walls and with solid rackets designed to keep the ball in play, padel is fast-paced, social and surprisingly easy to pick up. While it follows the same scoring principles as tennis, the smaller court and underarm serves create a more relaxed atmosphere to play. Rather than spending the game sprinting from one end of the court to the other, there’ s more focus on technique, positioning and, of course, keeping the ball within reach of your racket.
According to the Lawn Tennis Association, there are now more than one million adult and junior padel players across the UK, and Square One’ s newest club in Sittingbourne provides an ideal setting for players of every level. Whether you’ re a complete beginner or an experienced player, the courts are designed to guide you through every step of the process, thankfully supported by a very patient and knowledgeable team! For team iK, all of us relatively new to padel, that guidance was exactly what we were looking for. None of us knew quite what to expect from our first visit, but stepping inside the club, it quickly became clear we were in the right place.
Set in an expansive warehouse, the Sittingbourne Club’ s high-vaulted ceilings and open-plan design meant the unmistakable sound of padel balls being whacked echoed around the courts from the moment we walked through the door. There was something infectious and playful about the energy of the venue. It didn’ t feel daunting; instead, there was an immediate sense of excitement from the team. It was clear we were ready to put our best foot, or shall I say, serve, forward.
Making our way through to reception, we caught our first glimpse of the seven panoramic courts, each enclosed by tempered glass walls and equipped with professional lighting, offering excellent year-round playing conditions. This is one of Square One’ s greatest strengths; for
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