With spring in the air, San Franciscans are flocking to Park Padel

The SHACK15 Journal recently spoke with members Jessica Talbert, Katie Lampert, & Neil Chainani, who run the new Park Padel courts opposite the Ferry Building. If you haven’t yet heard about this sport that is trending over the world, it’s time to get in the know! San Francisco's only courts for padel, a racquet sport that originated in Mexico some decades ago, are taking bookings now at https://parkpadel.com/. The team at SHACK15 can attest to the fun, team-building nature of this unique activity, and now it’s your turn. Let’s get to know the people who work there.

SHACK15: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with Park Padel?

Jessica Talbert: We stumbled upon padel while traveling through Europe in the summer of 2022 and were enthralled not only by how mesmerizing it was to watch, but also how much fun it looked like all the players were having while on the court. We stopped in Spain along our travels, where it is currently the second most popular sport in the country (after fútbol!), and decided to take a few lessons. We were hooked and subsequently surprised upon coming home that it hadn’t yet hit the US, especially with pickleball’s rise.

Katie Lampert: The three of us, with intertwined lives—two of us former rugby teammates at Stanford, and one now-married couple that met launching Shared Rides at Lyft—all share backgrounds in tech and business, as well as love for an active lifestyle. Coming out of the isolating pandemic, we were all motivated by a desire to foster community and create a “third space” where people could build connections outside of work and home. We launched Park Padel in a hard pivot from our former careers and haven’t looked back.

Neil Chainani: Two of us are Bay Area natives and all three of us have worked in tech for many years in Silicon Valley, so we are constantly motivated by this area’s love for new experiences. We’ve always been passionate about the spirit of innovation (and not to mention, great weather!) that defines the area. Introducing padel—a sport that emphasizes social connection, strategy, and physical engagement—felt like a natural fit. With our combined backgrounds in business, sports licensing, venture capital and consulting, we’re no strangers to launching new products that people love and are excited to bring this exhilarating sport to peak popularity in the US.

SHACK15: What is padel and where did it originate?

Jessica Talbert: Padel originated in Mexico in 1969 where it spawned from putting a cement wall around a tennis court to keep balls from flying off court. It spread quickly in Europe and South America during the 80s, all the while developing new equipment and rules to become the sport it is today. It is now the fastest growing sport in the world. It combines elements of tennis (similar ball, same scoring mechanism) with sports like squash (playing the ball off the wall) in a way that is at once accessible and also difficult to master. This sport appeals to highly competitive athletes in addition to the general sports enthusiast looking for a unique and enjoyable way to challenge themselves.

SHACK15: How is the game played?

Neil Chainani: Padel is played in doubles on a compact court enclosed in four glass walls. The game favors precise, strategic shots over brute strength, thanks to underhand serves and the unique element of playing off the walls. It’s played on turf, with a slightly depressurized tennis ball and a solid but perforated racket made of carbon fiber and foam core. Scoring is the same as tennis and it can be played outdoors or indoors—with high ceilings! The sport is all about strategy, teamwork, and communication.

SHACK15: What has it been like to introduce a new sport here in SF?

Katie Lampert: Launching padel in San Francisco has been an incredible journey. With its active, innovative, and international community, we knew the city would embrace it quickly. Embarcadero Plaza, with its confluence of SF locals, Bay Area commuters, and tourists, has been the perfect home for our first location. We have the most visible courts in the US and are constantly energized by the number of people who walk by our location every day to ask and learn about the sport.

SHACK15: How do we sign up to be a part of the growing Park Padel Community?

Neil Chainani: We have a Park Padel app that simplifies booking court time, allows you to view our clinic and event schedule, and helps you find and connect with other players. We also facilitate multiple WhatsApp groups where members can arrange games and chat about all things padel. We offer free community hours during the weekdays where beginners can come out and learn the game. Our community thrives on social events, so we highly recommend checking out our Padel Socials and tournaments—both great ways to meet new teammates and get a little competitive. Plus, our proximity to Shack15 and the strong overlap in our networks adds an extra layer of synergy, so come check us out and become part of the Park Padel family!