The Town Padel

Spanish Sands in Coffs Harbour

When you step inside The Town Padel in Coffs Harbour, the first thing you notice is the light. The glass walls gleam, the coastal sun catches the sand underfoot, and the air hums with laughter, fun tunes and the sound of rackets meeting balls. This isn’t just another sports club; it’s The Town Padel and it’s right here on the Coffs Coast.

The story of how it came to be is as unique as the sport itself. Roberto, originally from southern Spain, still remembers the first time he picked up a padel racket. “I was hooked from the first game,” he says. “Padel is part of the culture where I grew up. It’s fun, fast, and social; it’s the kind of sport you play with your family, friends or neighbours.”

When he moved to Australia, he quickly realised that most people here had never even heard of padel. That’s when the idea sparked. “I thought, why not bring a little piece of home to the Coast? Why not build a club where everyone can experience what makes this game so special?”

His partner, Dana, had grown up on the Sunshine Coast with a love for surfing and everything outdoors. However, once she had her first hit, she fell in love with the sport. “It’s a mix between tennis and squash, played on a smaller court, enclosed by glass walls,” says Dana. “When Roberto introduced me to padel, I couldn’t believe how addictive it was,” she says. “The beauty of it is that anyone can play. You don’t have to be an athlete to have fun; your first rally could last ten, twenty, or even fifty shots. And you’re smiling the whole way through.”

Together, they turned what they jokingly called their “crazy idea” into a reality. But before they broke ground, they needed to find the right home for it.

Why Coffs Harbour?

“We travelled to a few different towns before deciding,” says Roberto. “We wanted somewhere with the right spirit, friendly people, a healthy and sporty culture, and a place that felt welcoming.”

They came back to Coffs Harbour several times, staying overnight, and doing what any future locals would do: breakfast in town, lunch by the beach, dinner at a local restaurant. “We wanted to see what life here would feel like,” Roberto explains. “Was it easy to get around? Is there traffic from A to B? Do people smile when you walk into a café? Those little things matter when you’re choosing where to build your life and your dream project.”

It didn’t take long for them to find their answer. “Every time we came back to Coffs, we noticed the same thing,” says Dana. “People were warm. They looked happy, healthy, outdoorsy. We thought, okay, this is the place. This is where padel can really take root.”

Building Something Bigger

The Town Padel opened its doors in July 2025 on West High Street, and from the start, Roberto and Dana wanted it to feel like something more than a set of courts.

“We wanted to create a community hub,” Dana says. “Yes, we’ve got the world-class glass courts, but we’ve also got a bar, shaded seating, and a vibe. It’s a place where families and friends can hang out, whether they’re playing or not.”

And then there’s the sand, flown in all the way from Spain. Roberto explains why that detail mattered so much: “The surface is everything in padel. We wanted players in Coffs to feel what it’s like to play in Córdoba or Cox. The bounce, the speed, the movement, it all comes down to the sand. So yes, we went the extra mile. Or the extra 17,000 kilometres,” says Roberto.

Everyone’s Game

Since its opening, the club has welcomed a diverse mix of curious beginners, seasoned tennis players seeking something new, and families looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon. Social nights have quickly become a highlight, with players of all levels mixing in for friendly games and post-match drinks.

One of the things Roberto is most passionate about is making sure newcomers feel comfortable. “If you’ve never picked up a racket before, don’t worry,” he says. “I’ll jump on the court with you, give you a few pointers, and make sure you’re smiling by the end of your first game. That’s the goal; it should be fun, straight away.”

That philosophy extends to families as well. The Town Padel offers free sessions for kids (12 and under) on Sundays, providing young players with an opportunity to try the sport without pressure. “It’s about giving kids access,” says Dana. “We want them to feel included, to discover a new game, and to just have fun being active. If the kids are happy, the parents are happy too.”

That sense of openness is at the heart of what they’re building. “We’re not just here to run courts,” Roberto says. “We’re here to grow a community. To create a space where people connect, laugh, and feel part of something.”

Looking Ahead

While padel is still new in Australia, it’s booming worldwide. With over 25 million players in 90 countries, it’s officially the fastest-growing racket sport on the planet. The couple believe Coffs Harbour is ideally placed to be part of that movement.

“This is a community that loves being active, outdoors, and social,” Dana says. “Padel ticks every box. You finish a game smiling, not exhausted, and you want to come back tomorrow. That’s why it’s so addictive.”

Looking ahead, they have big plans. Leagues, local tournaments, and even the possibility of hosting an official exhibition event down the track. “But it’s not just about competition,” says Roberto. “It’s about fun, connection and creating something that belongs to the community.”

Standing courtside as a group of first-timers chase balls across the glass and their friends cheer them on, it’s easy to see what he means. The Town Padel isn’t just introducing a new sport, it’s weaving it into the social fabric of the Coffs Coast.

And if Roberto and Dana have their way, this “crazy idea” might just spark a movement.

Try it for yourself – download the Town Padel App from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store to book a court and stay connected with the local padel community.