The new Sport Taking the Algarve by Storm
There’s a new sport on the block, and while it may have been causing waves across the pond for some time, we’re now feeling the ripples reaching us here in Portugal. Invented in 1965 in the state of Washington in the US, pickleball has been gaining momentum, dubbed the fastest-growing sport in the US since 2018, with celebrities and high-profile athletes raving about it left, right, and centre.
Labelled a “game for all ages”, “for the family”, a “social thing”, and an inclusive and friendly sport, it’s not surprising pickleball’s gained so much traction, but first: what is pickleball?
What is Pickleball?
Though enthusiasts need no introduction, for those who have never played, pickleball combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, using a solid paddle to hit a light, perforated, hollow plastic ball over a net. It can be played indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court using a net placed slightly lower than a tennis net in singles or doubles.
So, where can you play?
The Algarve: Providing Prime Conditions for Pickleball
As golfers, tennis players, and cyclists have long been aware, the Algarve is a prime location for any outdoor sport. Boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year, mild winters filled with winter sun, and pleasant conditions year-round, the region is the place to enjoy the great outdoors and work up a sweat in the sun.
Gorgeous beaches bathed in cool water and resorts with glistening pools provide the perfect opportunity to cool off after any exercise, no matter how rigorous, so whether you’re easing into sports or coming over for a strenuous training routine, you’re sure to find the facilities you need to both work hard and play hard.
And speaking of facilities, with the ripples of pickleball washing up on our shores, clubs have begun to spring up across the country, drawing in players who can’t seem to get enough of the sport. Founded in August 2022, the Portuguese Pickleball Association provides a comprehensive list of clubs nationwide where you can join other enthusiastic players. In fact, pickleball truly does bring people together.
Pickleball: Bringing People Together
In the mixing pot of nationalities and cultures that is the Algarve, it’s only natural that foreigners would bring new trends, fashions, and crazes here, and pickleball is no exception. With the match struck by American and British expats who have moved over here, the spark has grown into a blazing fire, pulling in people of all nationalities, ages, interests, and cultures to play the fun sport.
A prime example of pickleball breaking down barriers and catalysing connections is the Vila Real de Santo Antonio Pickleball Club, founded in 2020. Started by two American lovers of the sport with only five players, the club has grown and now has over 753 followers on Facebook. In fact, one of its founders even calls it “the UN of pickleball with Danes, Swedes, Ukrainians, Portuguese, British, French, Italian and American players.”
Pickleball Facilities at a 4-Star Resort
So, whether court sports take your fancy, you’re an avid pickleballer looking for somewhere new to play, you’re keen for an activity to get you out in the sun, or are looking for fun for all the family, pickleball may just be exactly what you need. And where better to play than at a resort with several courts, specialised coaches on hand to show you the ropes, and social events to meet other like-minded fans?
The Rocha Brava Village Resort provides all this and more, with its very own Rocha Brava Racquet Club running events for all levels, providing paddles and all the necessary equipment. From introduction events on Tuesday afternoons to open play sessions several times a week, keen players can also book a private court for their own game, ensuring every pickleball need is met and that the sport can continue to gain traction, attracting ever more enthusiastic players.
So, are you ready to get involved in the sport taking the world by storm?
