Why Padel Program?
Padel has seen explosive growth over the last decade. This racquet sport is particularly popular in Spain, Latin America, and parts of Europe. In the US, padel is gaining traction, especially in Florida and California.
How to Play Padel
Padel is played on an enclosed court that is smaller than a tennis court. Like tennis, it has a net which divides the court. It is similar to squash in that it has walls (glass walls at the back and mesh walls on the sides). Because the ball can bounce off the walls, it is crucial to be strategic with shot placement. Padel uses a solid, perforated racquet with no strings and a small, low-pressure ball. A padel racquet is much smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a squash racquet.
Typically, padel is played in doubles, though it can also be played in singles. Points are won by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s side, and the ball can bounce off the walls. The server must serve underhand, and the ball must bounce once in the opponent’s side before they return it.
The pace of padel is fast but not as intense as tennis. Padel is an accessible racquet sport for beginners because of the walls and small court size, making it easy to keep rallies going.
Who Will Coach the Padel Program?
At Oltremare Racquet Camp, our padel program will be led by our owner and founder, Walter Giacometti. For the past 14 years, he’s led Tiger Tennis Academy, New York’s #1 beginner program for kids aged 4 to 14. While serving as Head Coach of the Division II LIU Post University women’s tennis team, he ran a summer tennis camp for four years. Walter will be assisted by padel coaches from Queen’s Club Cattolica, a premier sports facility.
What We Offer
A typical day at our summer camp will start with 90 minutes of tennis, followed by a half hour break, and then 90 minutes of padel in the morning.
Through a combination of technique, form, strength, and strategy, we help padel players develop a well-rounded game. Each padel session is carefully structured to include:
- Professional instruction from world-class coaches with extensive experience coaching juniors
- Personalized training based on a camper’s skill level
- A balance of drills, technique refinement, strategy, game, and match play
- Physical conditioning to enhance endurance and strength
- Mental training to improve focus and a competitive mindset
Where It Takes Place
Oltremare Racquet Camp is based in Riccione, a popular seaside resort on the Adriatic Sea. We will stay at the luxurious Hotel Poker, which is just minutes from the beach.
When?
Our padel program will take place from July 6-20, 2025. Campers can sign up for one week or the full two-week summer camp. Each week will provide a unique opportunity to refine padel skills and play against fellow campers.
Why Choose Oltremare Racquet Camp?
- Expert Coaching: Top instructors with international and junior coaching experience
- Comprehensive Training: An all-encompassing approach to padel, including technique, strength, agility, and match play
- Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention with a ratio of four campers to one instructor
- Competitive Play: Participation in organized matches with local players
- Beautiful Location: Riccione has been nicknamed “la Perla Verde” (the Green Pearl) for its affluent villas and greenery. In addition to wide walking streets, pristine beaches, and fun activities for all ages, this popular resort town is conveniently situated for side trips to Florence and San Marino.
- Skill Development: Footwork, stroke mechanics, mental toughness, and overall game strategy
How It Works
Each day at camp consists of structured training sessions, fitness drills, and match play.
The padel program is divided into three main components:
- Training & Technique: Focus on fundamental and advanced strokes, footwork, and strategy
- Strength & Conditioning: Physical training sessions designed to enhance endurance, flexibility, and speed
- Games & Competition: Daily practice matches and weekly tournaments to apply strategy, skills, and mental toughness in a competitive setting
Who Can Join?
Our summer camp in Italy welcomes campers aged 9 to 17 and caters to padel players of all levels and ability:
- Beginners – Padel fundamentals in a fun, educational, and supportive environment
- Intermediate – Refinement of strokes, strategy, and match play
- Advanced – High-intensity training for competitive players looking to elevate their game
Takeaways
By the end of summer camp, players will have improved their padel game, whether that means playing at a higher level or simply enjoying the game.
They will have made new friends, learned some Italian, experienced another culture, and created memories to last a lifetime.
Join us this summer in Italy for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!