Utah's first padel club opening in Woods Cross

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's very first padel club is opening in Salt Lake City. While you may not have heard of this sport before, once you see how it's played, you're going to want to try it. Combining tennis and squash, padel is serving up a worldwide craze. The racquet game started in Mexico in 1969, then took off in Argentina and Spain. But it wasn't until 50 years later in 2019 when it exploded as a sport globally. Now, you can try it too! SLC Padel Club is the first of its kind in Utah, giving you a chance to discover the fastest growing sport in the world. The great thing about padel, according to founder Pedro Bautista, is how inclusive it is. Anyone can pick it up quickly, and it's as much about fun and community as it is about competition. For Bautista, padel started as something he shared with his father. Bringing it to Utah isn't just opening a business — it's bringing a dream to life. The game is played two-on-two with a fiberglass racquet that has holes instead of strings. While the ball may look similar to a tennis ball, it's slightly smaller, as is the enclosed court. The fast-paced rallies are easier to pick up than tennis, but Bautista said it's just as exciting to watch. With lessons, leagues and open play, SLC Padel Club is ready to introduce guests to a whole new kind of game, one that's already taking the world by storm. Visit SLC Padel Club on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their grand opening event! Enjoy live music, sip on artisan coffee, refuel at their food truck and acai bowl stand and experience their refreshing cold plunge and sauna stations. Plus, win exciting prizes throughout the event.

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