Twenty-four eligible bachelors and bachelorettes gathered at the Padel Yard in Wandsworth last week for Britain’s first ever padel speed dating event.
OLA Padel & Tennis teamed up with the dating app Thursday to launch the first in a series of nights for single Londoners with the goal of taking the cringe factor out of speed dating.
The sold-out event saw potential love matches play two hours of mix and match padel, rotating partners every five points to give everyone the chance to play with or against all the other participants.
No prior padel experience was required as OLA’s coaches were on hand to teach players the basic rules and technique in a 10-minute briefing at the start.
OLA Padel & Tennis co-founder Georgie Barclay said there was “some great play and a healthy amount of flirting!”
The night was wrapped up with an impromptu and competitive game of ’round the world’ on the pickleball court with 27-year-old local bachelor Marco coming out victorious and lifting the coverted inflatable trophy!
The night continued at the Padel Yard’s bar where beers flowed till late and it was great to see the on-court chemistry between some players continue into the evening.
OLA co-founder and head coach Jack Carpenter commented: “The venue was perfect for this event. Game4Padel and the Padel Yard have created something really special in this space which was previously a gas works and now has the feel of an edgy industrial chic New York warehouse with a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”
After the launch event’s success, Thursday and OLA plan to continue the collaboration and hope to offer more padel speed dating events across London and the UK.
Georgie added: “It’s great to see like-minded people get together and share a learning experience together. It gives the evening a focus and removes any first date awkwardness. Worst case is, if no-one sparks your interest, you’ll have had a healthy work out – so really there is nothing to lose!”
Participants were asked for feedback and 100% said they would take part again.
Katherine, 29, commented: “I signed up randomly via the app not even knowing what padel tennis was and I met a bunch of new friends and have fallen in love with a new sport. Maybe next time I’ll find my match on court too! Thanks OLA and Thursday for an awesome event – hands down the best Thursday event I’ve been to.”
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