Get in the Game with Padel Up at Kloof High School
Although it was invented back in the sixties, padel is now starting to feel like the sporting equivalent of a sold-out concert. Everywhere you turn, someone’s either just discovered it, obsessed with it, or loudly claiming they “only play socially” while sweating like they’re in a championship final.
That electric energy is no exaggeration. Across South Africa, courts are filling up faster than restaurant reservations on Valentine’s Day. What was once a niche racquet sport has become the go-to game for friends, families, and competitive spirits alike. Padel has become the sport that even busy professionals rearrange their calendars for and squeeze in between meetings.
With its growing popularity comes a new challenge: securing a padel court when you actually want one. You check the booking apps, refresh, widen your search, and suddenly you’re considering a 9 pm slot half-an-hour’s drive away because it’s the only one left all week. Courts are full, waiting lists are growing, and the appetite for the game shows no signs of slowing down. It’s very much a get-set-go situation, and the wildest part is that people are genuinely jumping through hoops just to get behind a net.
In the heart of Kloof, one facility is serving up exactly what the community needs: “Padel Up” at Kloof High School. It keeps a low profile but quietly delivers on what matters. Accessible pricing, a thoughtful spectator setup, and a setting that makes every match feel like an event.
As demand has grown, so too has the price tag in parts of the padel scene. Premium venues with covered courts can charge up to R1,000 per session. The current average sits at around R450 per hour, a figure many regular players have come to accept as standard. Kloof High School, for example, offers court time firmly in line with the going rate.
And then there is the atmosphere. Not many courts offer front-row seats, but Padel UP at KHS does. Each court has stands along one side so that spectators can settle in comfortably. The layout makes it ideal for socials and organised formats like Americanos, where players rotate partners and opponents. Instead of drifting off between rounds, everyone remains connected to the game. You watch strategy unfold, study your next opponents and feel the competitive buzz build. It becomes a shared experience rather than four people isolated inside a glass box.
Ample floodlighting extends play into the early mornings and late evenings, making it easy to fit a match around busy schedules. Whether it is a sunrise rally before work or a floodlit showdown after dinner, the courts are ready from 6:00 to 23:00 on Sunday to Thursday, stretching to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The setting within the Kloof High School grounds also adds a sense of community rootedness. It feels local, accessible and refreshingly unpretentious. Plus a friendly coach is available for players who are always looking to improve.
In a world where padel can sometimes feel like an exclusive club with a premium price tag, Padel Up at Kloof High School offers something different. It offers the thrill without the fuss. The competition without the intimidation. The workout without the punishment. Book here.