If you are looking for a new activity this year that will help you to get fit and have fun, then it might be time to give padel a go.

This article was featured in our Get Active West Cork 2026 magazine – you can read the full magazine here!

Padel Tennis, more commonly known as padel, is a racket sport that has experienced significant growth in recent years, both locally and nationally, and it is easy to see why.

It boasts similarities to other racket sports; think of it as a mix between tennis and squash, but its simplicity is one of its most appealing features.

It is relatively easy to practice, has simple rules, and is a sport that combines competitiveness and fun in equal measure.

Padel is played on an enclosed court that is less than half the size of a full-size tennis court.

It has a net in the centre and surrounding walls that can be used during play. It is typically played in doubles, which means your success doesn’t come down solely to you, as you can lean on your partner’s strengths.

This team aspect means more people are involved, so there is more socialising and, most importantly, more fun.

The rules are similar to those of tennis, with some adaptations.

The main one is that an underhand serve is used.

The server must bounce the ball behind the service line before hitting it with an underhand serve, and the ball must be struck by the racket at or below waist height, diagonally into the opponent’s box.

If you are on the receiving end, the serve must bounce once before being returned.

After the serve, the back or side walls of the court can be used in play, while the ball must always be returned before bouncing twice.

One of the key features of the sport is that it is not about hitting the ball; it is about pushing it.

The sport uses the same scoring system as tennis – 15, 30, 40, and game.

A set is won when a team reaches six games with at least a two-game lead. If both teams reach six games, a tie-breaker is played.

Matches are usually played to the best of three sets.

Requiring some basic knowledge about technical and tactical aspects of the game, enables players to see lots of progress in a short space of time.

Padel is suitable for a range of abilities and is easy to learn, meaning that anyone who wants to try their hand at a new activity can give it a go and experience just what it is like, without needing to be an expert.

Due to the nature of the game, it can be enjoyed with players of differing abilities.

Therefore, a beginner can step on the court with a more experienced player, and they will both get a great workout.

The smaller size of the court means that players of all ages and skill levels get to enjoy a well-paced game, which ultimately builds fitness levels.

On the other side of the same coin, because of the small surface area of the court, the sport doesn’t put a huge strain on the body, as well as the fact that you are playing with a partner, who can take some of the pressure off you if needed.

You don’t need a huge amount of equipment to enjoy padel. Once you have a racket, a pair of runners and some comfortable clothes, you are good to go.

Unlike tennis rackets, which are made of strings, padel rackets are solid and made from light composite materials.

The surface is perforated with holes to lighten it and allow for airflow.

It is shorter in length compared to a tennis racket, which means the swing is much shorter.

This makes it much easier to control.

The ball is the same as those used in tennis.

There has been a rise in the number of padel courts being constructed nationally and locally.

Two full-sized padel courts can fit within a full-sized tennis court, and they can be indoor or outdoor, which means they can be built cost-effectively.

Up to recently, padel players in Cork had to travel to Carrigtwohill to enjoy the indoor sport at Ireland’s largest padel tennis facility at Fota Junction Retail Park.

Now facilities are expanding to other areas of the county, with even more expansion expected throughout 2026.

Last month, a new padel and wellness centre called The Hive opened on Monahan Road in Cork city, and they are welcoming everyone from padel pros to absolute beginners at their five-court indoor padel club.

There is also the prospect of new courts being developed in Bantry, Mallow and Youghal, with proposals and plans currently underway.

If 2026 is the year in which you would like to try a new activity, which is all about fun, fitness and socialising, then padel may be the sport for you.

This article was featured in our Get Active West Cork 2026 magazine – you can read the full magazine here!