Padel Courts at Risk: Tackling Extreme Weather with Wind-Resistant Solutions
By Ray Brinkmanis, co-CEO at Padel Alba
As padel grows rapidly across the U.S., with the number of courts doubling in the past two years, particularly in states prone to extreme weather like Florida and New York, clubs face a significant challenge: ensuring the safety and durability of courts in the face of hurricane-force winds. In the past decade, the U.S. has endured 19 hurricanes, yet many courts are not built to withstand these conditions, posing serious risks to players and communities.
The Consequences of Inadequate Court Designs
The potential consequences are alarming. Courts not designed to handle strong winds could lead to devastating damage, injuries, and long-term setbacks for the sport in the U.S. Stricter regulations, delayed construction, and costly rebuilds could become common unless safety standards are improved.
Padel Alba’s Wind-Resistant Court Solutions
That’s where Padel Alba comes in. After a year of extensive research and wind load studies, we recognized the need for more than standard court designs. We developed two specialized wind-resistant courts: a 125-mph court for states like New York, New Jersey, and California, and a 150 mph court specifically engineered for Miami, where hurricanes are frequent. These courts are designed to endure Category 4 hurricanes, which occur on average every five years, ensuring they withstand even the harshest weather conditions.
The Benefits of Wind-Resistant Courts
Our 125 mph courts are a durable solution for regions that occasionally experience high winds, giving club owners the peace of mind that their courts will remain intact. For areas hit hardest by extreme weather, our 150 mph courts offer unparalleled resilience, ensuring the safety of players and surrounding communities. These courts aren’t just tough—they’re built to last.
Long-Term Solutions and Commitment to Value
Unlike some manufacturers focused on quick sales, we at Padel Alba believe in creating long-term, sustainable solutions. Our courts are designed to meet the highest safety standards while providing excellent value to clients. We only charge for the additional materials required to meet these specifications, avoiding unnecessary markups. This commitment ensures our courts can withstand the unpredictable forces of nature.
The Urgent Need for Industry-Wide Safety Standards
As hurricane season approaches, I grow increasingly concerned about substandard courts in Miami that aren’t equipped to face these challenges. These courts pose serious risks to the padel community. We at Padel Alba urge other manufacturers to prioritize long-term safety when building courts. We get one chance to get this right—let’s ensure we do.
Padel Alba’s Commitment to Innovation and Safety at RacquetX
To further highlight our commitment to quality and safety, I’m proud to announce that Padel Alba will be a Gold sponsor for RacquetX in March 2025, the largest racquet sports event in the U.S. We’re also in discussions to exhibit one of our 125 mph courts at the event. This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our dedication to innovation and the high standards we uphold. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for quality and safety in the U.S. padel scene, ensuring our courts last and stand strong against extreme weather.