Paddle tennis has been played for over a century. There are 3 main types of "paddle" and we have researched their unique differences and evolutions and now consider ourselves pros on the matter!
More importantly, there are no attire regulations which means we can have a lot more fun choosing our outfits! However, it is challenging to layer for severe wind & weather so here are some tips and an entertaining article from the Times.
THE WARDROBE
LAYERING IS KEY
You may not believe it but your body will warm up and need to shed layers!
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ACCESSORIES
Fingerless Gloves
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THE HISTORY OF PADDLE
THE COURT
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The smaller court size adds a strong emphasis and advantage to net play and creates a fast and reaction-based game. The game is gaining reputation and has spread out in Dubai and even Egypt, where local leagues and tournaments are organized frequently.
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The 3 main evolutions of Paddle Games:
All three games the court is smaller, has no doubles lanes, and the nets are lower. You can play off the back and side walls.
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PICKLEBALL:
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. The game is growing internationally, with Canada and many European and Asian countries adding courts.
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PLATFORM TENNIS:
Invented in 1915 in Manhattan, NY by an Episcopal minister, Frank Peer Beal in lower Manhattan. Wanting to create recreational activities for neighborhood children, he got the city’s parks and recreation department to lay courts in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. It is primarily played on the East Coast. The first tournament was held in 1922, and the United States Paddle Tennis Association (USPTA) was formed the following year. By 1941, paddle tennis was being played in almost 500 American cities.
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PADEL:
Invented in Acapulco, Mexico by Enrique Corcuera in 1969. It is currently most popular in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and some other Latin American countries and it is now beginning to spread rapidly across Europe and other continents.
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THE RACQUETS
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THE BALLS
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HISTORY OF PADDLE BALL & VINTAGE PHOTO ALBUM
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TIMELINE
1915: Frank Peer Beal Invents the game
1922: First tournament
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1924: St. Augustine men began playing a game similar to paddle tennis on the beach. They drew off courts in the hard packed sand and hit a tennis ball back and forth with their hands. Later, a net and homemade paddles were added.
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1923: United States Paddle Tennis Association formed
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1941, paddle tennis played 500 American cities. Now with 8,000 members, the highest concentrations in and near New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Boston.
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1945-50: Murray Geller, a player instrumental in creating the modern game. Elected chairman of the USPTA rules committee, he wanted to make the game more appealing to adults and instituted features including an enlarged court and an underhanded serve.
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1970: Beach paddle popularity in St. Augustine helped to grow the sport. Up to six courts and lights were added as popularity of the port continued to grow.
Paddle Tennis Courts, Bungalows on Waikiki Beach, Halekulani Hotel, Honolulu
Amazed to find the locals in Florida still playing the game by the pre-1959 rules, Murray Geller promptly explained the modern version of the game to them and the rule changes were adopted.
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![Scott Freedman, world paddle pall champion](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0776/4741/files/Screen_Shot_2021-02-10_at_2.43.08_PM_480x480.png?v=1612986224)
Scott Freedman from Venice Beach, CA. is Paddle Tennis's premier player and is a 19 time World Champion & currently holds all major titles in the sport. He wrote a book entitled Paddle Tennis and Tennis: Anyone Can Play.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Thank you to our beautiful friends (and their offspring) who let us capture their fun lifestyle on film and for always supporting our brand!
A special thank you to my old pal Weston Wells with whom I worked on set with for years and years at Ralph. He is now a fancy portrait photographer and also accomplished artist. It was so great to work together again!
![Weston Wells Hedge Photo Shoot](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0776/4741/files/Meg_Weston_240x240.jpg?v=1612975090)
https://www.westonwells.com
![Weston Wells on Hedge Photo shoot in Bridgehampton NY](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0776/4741/files/Weston_Jane_71482944-fa56-471d-a5bf-22c674f6f90e_240x240.jpg?v=1612974574)
![Antonia DiPaolo Co Founder of Hedge](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0776/4741/files/Behind_The_scenes_Antonia_240x240.jpg?v=1612973980)