1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,590 Hello everyone, welcome to another great episode of Padel Smash Academy. 2 00:00:03,630 --> 00:00:07,790 Today we're so excited to have Austin Edwards, the mastermind 3 00:00:07,790 --> 00:00:09,720 behind State of Padel. 4 00:00:09,730 --> 00:00:11,670 And we are All Things Padel. 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:13,480 Welcome Austin to the podcast. 6 00:00:13,539 --> 00:00:15,930 Thank you for taking the time to be with us. 7 00:00:16,570 --> 00:00:17,940 Yeah, thank you so much for having me. 8 00:00:17,940 --> 00:00:18,500 I'm excited. 9 00:00:18,650 --> 00:00:19,770 First podcast I've ever been on. 10 00:00:20,310 --> 00:00:20,890 Good man. 11 00:00:20,990 --> 00:00:22,630 There's always a first for everything. 12 00:00:23,330 --> 00:00:27,490 So we were so intrigued when you, when we read your, your, 13 00:00:27,510 --> 00:00:29,000 your, what would you call it? 14 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:29,960 Is it a newsletter? 15 00:00:29,970 --> 00:00:30,760 Is it an email? 16 00:00:30,770 --> 00:00:34,119 I guess, I guess maybe blog for lack of a better term. 17 00:00:34,189 --> 00:00:34,529 Okay. 18 00:00:34,539 --> 00:00:37,979 I'd like to think that we've evolved to something bigger than that. 19 00:00:37,980 --> 00:00:41,520 But yeah, for now, probably a blog would be the right thing to call it. 20 00:00:42,110 --> 00:00:44,239 I mean, it's absolutely extremely informative. 21 00:00:44,575 --> 00:00:48,214 Uh, so I, I really love the information that you put in there. 22 00:00:48,214 --> 00:00:53,685 And I want, I want to, um, first of all, tell us who's Austin power and how 23 00:00:53,714 --> 00:00:55,915 did you find out about, about Padel? 24 00:00:56,805 --> 00:00:57,015 Yeah. 25 00:00:57,015 --> 00:00:59,804 So I have kind of a funny story with my Padel background. 26 00:00:59,865 --> 00:01:03,484 I like most people, I was actually just listening to Ben Nichols interview 27 00:01:03,485 --> 00:01:05,785 that you all did before this, like him. 28 00:01:05,785 --> 00:01:06,605 I started out as a. 29 00:01:06,779 --> 00:01:07,770 Competitive tennis player. 30 00:01:07,770 --> 00:01:12,259 Grew up in Colorado, uh, all through high school, played a lot of tennis. 31 00:01:12,410 --> 00:01:16,749 The school, uh, college I went to had a really good D1 tennis program that 32 00:01:16,750 --> 00:01:18,339 I was not good enough to play on. 33 00:01:18,999 --> 00:01:22,939 So got to college, discovered squash, which is something my dad loved, 34 00:01:23,020 --> 00:01:24,790 um, started playing a bunch of that. 35 00:01:25,089 --> 00:01:26,369 Just fell in love with squash. 36 00:01:27,550 --> 00:01:29,520 Then fast forward about 10 years. 37 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:31,130 It's probably like 2012. 38 00:01:31,130 --> 00:01:34,300 I was living in new Orleans and we had three little squash 39 00:01:34,300 --> 00:01:36,189 courts there at a gym, basically. 40 00:01:36,190 --> 00:01:40,040 And I was in best shape of my life, playing best squash in my life, 41 00:01:41,020 --> 00:01:42,269 feeling pretty good about myself. 42 00:01:43,119 --> 00:01:45,754 And one day I'm playing on court, turn around and there's this. 43 00:01:46,035 --> 00:01:51,095 Um, guy standing there looks like a, uh, like a Calvin Klein 44 00:01:51,115 --> 00:01:52,175 underwear model or something. 45 00:01:52,175 --> 00:01:55,144 I mean, this guy was, he, every girl in the gym, including my 46 00:01:55,145 --> 00:01:56,425 girlfriend is looking at him. 47 00:01:57,095 --> 00:01:59,314 I was kind of like, what's this guy doing? 48 00:01:59,455 --> 00:02:00,805 And come off the court. 49 00:02:00,845 --> 00:02:04,164 And he was obviously, he was from Spain, limited English. 50 00:02:04,244 --> 00:02:06,475 It was obvious that he wanted to play squash. 51 00:02:06,494 --> 00:02:08,414 He didn't have any brackets, anything. 52 00:02:09,364 --> 00:02:12,035 And I was kind of, you know, thinking, thinking I was 53 00:02:12,285 --> 00:02:14,085 pretty hot shot at that point. 54 00:02:14,415 --> 00:02:16,145 I asked him, what do you play squash? 55 00:02:16,145 --> 00:02:19,600 And he says, No, but I am Padel pro. 56 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:24,880 And I was like, that means like, does that mean you're good at sports or whatever? 57 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:26,320 And so finally I loan him a racket. 58 00:02:26,675 --> 00:02:30,275 Go out there and remember if we were playing a nine or 11 at that 59 00:02:30,275 --> 00:02:32,174 point, but he beat me like 11. 60 00:02:32,215 --> 00:02:33,195 Oh, really? 61 00:02:33,234 --> 00:02:34,585 And I'm asking him again. 62 00:02:34,585 --> 00:02:36,394 I'm like, so you play a lot of squash, right? 63 00:02:36,394 --> 00:02:37,924 And he's like, no, I'm Padel pro. 64 00:02:38,285 --> 00:02:40,595 And I was like, why does this, I keep saying now, what does that mean? 65 00:02:41,474 --> 00:02:43,924 And he was in New Orleans for another six months. 66 00:02:43,925 --> 00:02:48,075 We got to be really good friends and slowly over time I discovered that Padel 67 00:02:48,075 --> 00:02:52,325 was this huge sport that I didn't know existed and that he truly was a pro. 68 00:02:52,325 --> 00:02:55,185 He had his Names on his bats and everything. 69 00:02:55,185 --> 00:02:58,855 And so that kind of put it into my brain at that point. 70 00:02:58,935 --> 00:03:02,365 Um, he invited me a few times to go to like Houston and Miami to play. 71 00:03:02,374 --> 00:03:05,565 I never did wish I had sort of forgot about it. 72 00:03:05,565 --> 00:03:08,284 And then in the pandemic, our squash club here in Charleston was closed 73 00:03:08,285 --> 00:03:10,824 down and we're all bummed about it. 74 00:03:10,844 --> 00:03:13,494 We, a lot of us started playing pickleball just for something to do. 75 00:03:14,285 --> 00:03:18,295 Friend of mine in Philly, squash friend said, well, we're, we're playing this 76 00:03:18,295 --> 00:03:20,805 crazy new Spanish game called Padel. 77 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,830 You should really come up to Philly and play and it sort of clicked in my 78 00:03:24,830 --> 00:03:29,539 brain and I quickly, you know, looked on YouTube, watched some points, was 79 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:32,229 basically got a group of guys from here, was on the next plane up to 80 00:03:32,229 --> 00:03:37,149 Philly, play at Philadelphia, um, Then just tried to play any chance 81 00:03:37,149 --> 00:03:40,349 I could get after that, went to San Diego for a squash event, played out 82 00:03:40,349 --> 00:03:42,329 there, played more times in Florida. 83 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,020 And then sort of finally, we have one of our squash club members here in Carlson. 84 00:03:47,020 --> 00:03:50,590 He has some property about two hours north of here in Columbia, South Carolina, 85 00:03:50,670 --> 00:03:53,620 that he had built a squash court on. 86 00:03:54,010 --> 00:03:56,750 And he was getting ready to build a second squash court. 87 00:03:56,809 --> 00:04:00,980 And I was like, Harry, before you do that, let's hop on a plane down to Miami 88 00:04:00,989 --> 00:04:03,079 and let me show you this other game. 89 00:04:03,089 --> 00:04:04,910 Like if we're going to put money towards. 90 00:04:05,665 --> 00:04:06,575 Building something. 91 00:04:06,585 --> 00:04:07,925 I think we should maybe do this. 92 00:04:07,925 --> 00:04:09,265 And he was very skeptical. 93 00:04:10,065 --> 00:04:13,425 Uh, we got probably six of us from Charleston, hopped on a plane, flew down 94 00:04:13,425 --> 00:04:17,934 there, uh, Peter Cheshire at kinetic is a friend of our squash pro here. 95 00:04:17,934 --> 00:04:20,084 So he was nice enough to get us on that court there. 96 00:04:20,964 --> 00:04:24,245 We played about three games and Harry just turned around and looked at me. 97 00:04:24,245 --> 00:04:26,595 And he's like, yes, this is what we're, this is what we're building. 98 00:04:27,295 --> 00:04:31,285 So, so a group of us got together, pulled some money and built a first 99 00:04:31,285 --> 00:04:35,405 court in South Carolina and only court for now on his property up there. 100 00:04:36,105 --> 00:04:37,755 And it's just been amazing. 101 00:04:37,755 --> 00:04:40,685 I mean, they have a small group of players, but everyone is the gap. 102 00:04:40,685 --> 00:04:44,255 People that only played pickleball are playing all the squash people 103 00:04:44,255 --> 00:04:46,694 are playing and now nobody's playing pickleball or a squash. 104 00:04:46,695 --> 00:04:48,744 It's just Padel all the time. 105 00:04:48,795 --> 00:04:52,754 So, so when you got my long background into the sport and now I'm like 106 00:04:52,754 --> 00:04:57,115 everyone else, just sort of hopelessly addicted and I'm trying to be involved 107 00:04:57,115 --> 00:04:58,735 in any possible way that I can. 108 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:04,289 So when you came to Miami, uh, what club did you go to, um, to try the Padel? 109 00:05:05,750 --> 00:05:10,450 I've played just only at Kinetic Inn, which is really Boynton Beach. 110 00:05:10,559 --> 00:05:14,290 Um, and I've been to Wynwood, but unfortunately did not play. 111 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:18,439 Now I know there's just endless clubs and opportunities to play. 112 00:05:18,439 --> 00:05:21,560 So I will probably be back down there in the near future. 113 00:05:22,130 --> 00:05:22,470 Okay. 114 00:05:22,590 --> 00:05:24,000 Uh, Austin Edwards, right? 115 00:05:24,020 --> 00:05:24,730 Not Austin. 116 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:32,410 So, uh, we're going to be talking a little bit about, uh, how did 117 00:05:32,410 --> 00:05:34,090 you get into the newsletter thing? 118 00:05:34,090 --> 00:05:37,989 I mean, uh, obviously you started playing Padel and you know, you 119 00:05:37,989 --> 00:05:41,159 were playing a squash before, which I play squash before as well. 120 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:41,630 And tennis. 121 00:05:42,220 --> 00:05:46,000 And now I assume you're like everybody else who gets, uh, addicted to 122 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,810 Padel after, you know, uh, and so how did your passion come to 123 00:05:49,810 --> 00:05:51,880 be to create, uh, this newsletter? 124 00:05:53,285 --> 00:05:56,615 Well, I'd always been interested in writing for Squash 125 00:05:56,615 --> 00:05:58,035 Magazine, which I never did. 126 00:05:58,035 --> 00:06:00,855 I just got too busy with my day job for years. 127 00:06:00,865 --> 00:06:02,345 I always sort of regretted that. 128 00:06:02,665 --> 00:06:06,304 And honestly, it came out of I was just craving to play or learn 129 00:06:06,304 --> 00:06:07,714 anything more I could about the game. 130 00:06:07,714 --> 00:06:09,924 And there was just such a lack of information, U. 131 00:06:09,924 --> 00:06:10,094 S. 132 00:06:10,094 --> 00:06:11,804 based information on the sport. 133 00:06:11,865 --> 00:06:13,514 And, you know, there was a handful of things. 134 00:06:13,884 --> 00:06:15,714 You could tell they weren't based in the U. 135 00:06:15,714 --> 00:06:15,994 S. 136 00:06:16,014 --> 00:06:18,554 They weren't necessarily, especially club stuff wasn't 137 00:06:18,554 --> 00:06:20,454 the most reliable information. 138 00:06:21,300 --> 00:06:23,610 And it just sort of occurred to me that there was a vacuum, 139 00:06:23,610 --> 00:06:24,979 there was just nothing there. 140 00:06:24,979 --> 00:06:27,990 So I was like, this is going to get so big in the U. 141 00:06:27,990 --> 00:06:28,150 S. 142 00:06:28,150 --> 00:06:31,100 so fast that I'd like to be the first mover in that space. 143 00:06:31,909 --> 00:06:37,030 And I reached out to Ollie Morgan and Mike Dale that run Padel Paper in the U. 144 00:06:37,030 --> 00:06:37,309 K. 145 00:06:37,309 --> 00:06:40,919 because I thought they were doing sort of the best job of, you know, clean 146 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,580 slate, clean site, good journalism. 147 00:06:44,430 --> 00:06:48,200 It obviously wasn't just an affiliate marketing site or anything like that. 148 00:06:48,220 --> 00:06:48,970 And I just kind of. 149 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:53,560 Pick their brain a little bit and maybe doing some us articles for their site. 150 00:06:54,195 --> 00:06:59,625 And we wound up deciding to partner and to start a just U. 151 00:06:59,625 --> 00:06:59,775 S. 152 00:06:59,784 --> 00:07:00,414 based site. 153 00:07:00,424 --> 00:07:03,395 You know, we knew there was going to be so many articles and so much interest. 154 00:07:03,434 --> 00:07:07,134 And so I've just taken on the content side of all of that. 155 00:07:07,154 --> 00:07:12,965 And, and as I'm sure you all understand, just buried in spray ideas or out. 156 00:07:12,995 --> 00:07:16,924 And it's just such a neat time in this world. 157 00:07:17,005 --> 00:07:17,395 Yeah. 158 00:07:17,495 --> 00:07:18,895 The way things are taking off. 159 00:07:19,465 --> 00:07:19,735 Yeah. 160 00:07:19,735 --> 00:07:23,365 And, and, but your background, it's, it's, it's editor writer. 161 00:07:23,515 --> 00:07:27,940 I mean, Yeah, I worked, um, as a copywriter in the 162 00:07:27,940 --> 00:07:29,400 financial world for years. 163 00:07:30,020 --> 00:07:33,329 Um, so definitely writing, but on the different side of the money 164 00:07:33,330 --> 00:07:35,549 making side of the editorial side. 165 00:07:35,549 --> 00:07:40,519 But, um, it's nice to be writing about something really passionate about now. 166 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,719 And I certainly learned a lot about investing in the 167 00:07:42,719 --> 00:07:43,979 stock market, which was great. 168 00:07:43,999 --> 00:07:45,999 But this is a little more fun at the end of the day. 169 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,819 So, so what's the vision for Padel State? 170 00:07:48,849 --> 00:07:51,719 What are you, what are you trying to do there and what's your main goal? 171 00:07:52,645 --> 00:07:55,595 I think just be the go to site in the U. 172 00:07:55,605 --> 00:07:55,715 S. 173 00:07:55,905 --> 00:08:00,395 for all things, all things Padel, kind of like you said in your podcast, um, 174 00:08:01,545 --> 00:08:07,115 certainly giving people on the, on the playing side, giving people plenty of 175 00:08:07,115 --> 00:08:11,444 information on where, where they can play, how they can improve their game. 176 00:08:12,044 --> 00:08:15,125 And then also on the, I think there's a big opportunity on the big business 177 00:08:15,125 --> 00:08:20,195 side for, you know, port builder, e commerce, apparel companies. 178 00:08:21,244 --> 00:08:25,205 I think it is sort of both sides of the coin consumer and the business side 179 00:08:25,414 --> 00:08:33,245 consumer being the player And where do you gather all the information at this point? 180 00:08:33,245 --> 00:08:39,005 It's just being thrown at me by I mean people Hear that there's a site like this 181 00:08:39,005 --> 00:08:44,375 now and people are reaching PR people reaching out Um linkedin i've got a ton 182 00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:49,345 of leads and I don't see that again with the rate that everything's growing out I 183 00:08:49,345 --> 00:08:51,245 don't see that slowing down at any point. 184 00:08:51,245 --> 00:08:54,765 So it's not like i'm Ever having to dig very hard for article 185 00:08:54,765 --> 00:08:55,905 ideas or new information. 186 00:08:56,925 --> 00:09:00,135 Um, even in just this, which you may have seen, I published what 187 00:09:00,135 --> 00:09:03,455 I think is the most comprehensive list of clubs and courts in the U. 188 00:09:03,455 --> 00:09:03,785 S. 189 00:09:03,834 --> 00:09:04,304 Yes. 190 00:09:04,535 --> 00:09:08,365 Even just since publishing that, maybe five days ago, I've had 191 00:09:08,814 --> 00:09:12,844 multiple people reach out and let me know that there is now a court. 192 00:09:12,844 --> 00:09:15,855 I think it opened yesterday, actually, or two days ago, in Phoenix, 193 00:09:15,885 --> 00:09:17,575 the Camelback Club in Phoenix. 194 00:09:17,605 --> 00:09:19,005 There's one in Tucson now. 195 00:09:19,949 --> 00:09:23,860 Another one besides Tactica in San Diego, I wasn't aware of a court 196 00:09:23,870 --> 00:09:25,990 in Vermont, which is amazing to me. 197 00:09:26,470 --> 00:09:27,010 Vermont? 198 00:09:27,020 --> 00:09:27,310 Really? 199 00:09:27,310 --> 00:09:28,539 Wow, that's, that's interesting. 200 00:09:28,550 --> 00:09:29,000 Where? 201 00:09:29,319 --> 00:09:35,049 Yes, it's at a little sort of boutique resort that built a, I 202 00:09:35,230 --> 00:09:36,790 can't look it up the exact name. 203 00:09:36,849 --> 00:09:40,954 Um, I want to say it's like the But bay bound in or something like that, 204 00:09:40,995 --> 00:09:42,405 right outside of battle borough. 205 00:09:42,405 --> 00:09:48,084 And it is an outdoor court, so it'll be very seasonal, but it's gorgeous. 206 00:09:48,125 --> 00:09:52,894 And, um, and it's really neat to me to see Padel expanding to places like that. 207 00:09:52,944 --> 00:09:57,844 Obviously, um, big places, Miami Houston growth there is awesome too, but when 208 00:09:57,854 --> 00:10:01,675 you start getting it in these really niche kind of destinations, I think that. 209 00:10:02,595 --> 00:10:03,645 You know, that's really neat. 210 00:10:03,955 --> 00:10:05,485 I'll tell you the future of the sport. 211 00:10:05,615 --> 00:10:10,175 I'll tell you a story that, uh, um, you put, um, I'm a minority owner at 212 00:10:10,175 --> 00:10:12,215 a club in San Francisco, Park Padel. 213 00:10:12,235 --> 00:10:12,535 Right. 214 00:10:13,100 --> 00:10:13,290 Yeah. 215 00:10:13,290 --> 00:10:13,970 Congratulations. 216 00:10:14,020 --> 00:10:14,550 Yes. 217 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:18,820 And I forwarded the article that you wrote about us and the club and 218 00:10:19,030 --> 00:10:22,749 you know, the, the owners were so excited and so happy, you know, all 219 00:10:22,750 --> 00:10:24,400 the details that you got and all that. 220 00:10:24,860 --> 00:10:27,209 They were super, super interested and they were so pumped to 221 00:10:27,209 --> 00:10:28,249 like, where'd you get this? 222 00:10:28,249 --> 00:10:28,939 Who's this guy? 223 00:10:29,159 --> 00:10:29,709 And all that. 224 00:10:29,819 --> 00:10:30,139 Right. 225 00:10:30,139 --> 00:10:30,199 Right. 226 00:10:30,209 --> 00:10:31,529 And that's why we decided. 227 00:10:31,550 --> 00:10:33,300 So I really appreciate that. 228 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:34,530 And we need, you know. 229 00:10:35,334 --> 00:10:38,454 Uh, putting the information out there and there's so many things going on 230 00:10:38,464 --> 00:10:42,754 that, uh, you know, uh, it's great that you're, you're putting the time and 231 00:10:42,754 --> 00:10:44,464 the effort and the passion behind this. 232 00:10:44,464 --> 00:10:47,854 I mean, we're, we're trying to do the same thing with the podcast, um, you 233 00:10:47,854 --> 00:10:51,894 know, to try to bring the awareness on the growth of the sport here in the state. 234 00:10:51,895 --> 00:10:53,795 So I really, we really appreciate that. 235 00:10:54,445 --> 00:10:58,445 When we saw likewise, yeah, and it's growing so fast, um, information 236 00:10:58,445 --> 00:11:02,844 changes so quickly when, when, you know, this, this, uh, sports is growing 237 00:11:02,844 --> 00:11:05,215 so fast, you know, it's incredible. 238 00:11:05,285 --> 00:11:06,325 Yeah, yeah. 239 00:11:06,325 --> 00:11:10,225 So I say this to a lot of people, the only thing that I've experienced in 240 00:11:10,225 --> 00:11:15,725 my life quite like this was really the rise of the internet when I was a kid, 241 00:11:16,215 --> 00:11:19,395 just in terms of, um, I know that's sort of a grandiose statement, but. 242 00:11:19,540 --> 00:11:24,170 Just the sort of the Wild West of people are going in a 243 00:11:24,170 --> 00:11:25,480 hundred different directions. 244 00:11:25,490 --> 00:11:25,860 Yeah. 245 00:11:25,940 --> 00:11:29,230 Everyone knows which direction it's ultimately headed, but you're not sure 246 00:11:29,230 --> 00:11:31,379 what the best course for yourself is. 247 00:11:31,450 --> 00:11:31,740 Yeah. 248 00:11:31,750 --> 00:11:33,909 Um, but that's an exciting time. 249 00:11:33,910 --> 00:11:36,730 You know, there's a lot of uncertainty, but I think there's also a lot of 250 00:11:36,770 --> 00:11:43,770 opportunity and So it's a great, I mean, I see, I see great signs, 251 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:47,519 very positive signs when, um, a couple of weeks ago I was up in 252 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:51,970 San Francisco and we went to this vineyard in the middle of Napa Valley. 253 00:11:51,970 --> 00:11:53,630 I mean, and I saw your pictures. 254 00:11:53,630 --> 00:11:53,960 Yes. 255 00:11:54,270 --> 00:11:55,819 And it was like, unbelievable. 256 00:11:55,819 --> 00:12:00,990 I mean, when you see these guys, you know, using the space they have to put a Padel 257 00:12:01,030 --> 00:12:02,640 court, that's a great sign for the sport. 258 00:12:02,660 --> 00:12:03,250 You know what I mean? 259 00:12:03,250 --> 00:12:05,000 So we're, we're, you know, it's, it's. 260 00:12:05,365 --> 00:12:08,645 The only way he's going, he's going up and he's going to go up faster and faster. 261 00:12:08,645 --> 00:12:11,444 So, you know, it's, it's, it's great. 262 00:12:11,725 --> 00:12:16,954 So tell us a little bit about your, you play competitive, 263 00:12:16,964 --> 00:12:18,985 you play for fun, uh, you know. 264 00:12:19,975 --> 00:12:23,394 Right now, other than trips that I take, like we went to Chicago 265 00:12:23,395 --> 00:12:27,085 a couple of times this fall to play there at the club in Mundine. 266 00:12:27,155 --> 00:12:32,105 Um, and got to meet Rudy and his brother who are great, great guys. 267 00:12:32,105 --> 00:12:34,564 I think Rudy's maybe been on your podcast. 268 00:12:34,565 --> 00:12:34,969 Yeah. 269 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,490 But the only opportunity for me to play right now is to drive 270 00:12:38,490 --> 00:12:42,030 two hours to Columbia, which I'm doing every couple weekends and 271 00:12:42,220 --> 00:12:43,130 try to get as much in as I can. 272 00:12:44,130 --> 00:12:47,169 Um, I certainly don't know that I'm a very skilled player, 273 00:12:47,169 --> 00:12:48,859 but I'm a very passionate one. 274 00:12:49,570 --> 00:12:53,609 Um, we're part of a group of guys that are working on actively trying 275 00:12:53,609 --> 00:12:55,420 to bring Corks to Charleston as well. 276 00:12:56,355 --> 00:13:00,255 Hopefully that happens sooner than later, and I'll be able to play more. 277 00:13:00,645 --> 00:13:03,385 So, I was gonna ask that, how many clubs are there around you? 278 00:13:03,385 --> 00:13:06,365 You just said there's one two hours away from you, is that pretty much it? 279 00:13:06,415 --> 00:13:09,694 That's, that's the only court in South Carolina at the right now. 280 00:13:09,704 --> 00:13:15,020 In North Carolina, I believe, two, there's Charlotte Club, which I've 281 00:13:15,020 --> 00:13:17,430 been in touch with their owner and I'm going to go up there and play hopefully 282 00:13:17,430 --> 00:13:20,590 in the next couple weeks and then I believe there's a private club in 283 00:13:21,180 --> 00:13:23,950 Raleigh, but that would be the closest. 284 00:13:23,950 --> 00:13:26,290 I know something just opened in Atlanta, but again, that's 285 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:27,520 a five hour drive for me. 286 00:13:27,580 --> 00:13:27,920 Yeah. 287 00:13:27,969 --> 00:13:30,970 Do you see anything, uh, any, any clubs opening up in the, 288 00:13:30,989 --> 00:13:33,009 in the short period of time? 289 00:13:35,195 --> 00:13:39,455 Probably not in the next six months or anything, but I would like to think maybe 290 00:13:39,455 --> 00:13:41,515 in the next year there'll be a real push. 291 00:13:41,515 --> 00:13:46,205 I think courts will start to be added to private tennis clubs and things like that. 292 00:13:46,534 --> 00:13:50,245 Um, you know, here in the Charleston region, we have some pretty high end 293 00:13:50,245 --> 00:13:55,034 golf clubs and towards that, but you know, those aren't really going to be 294 00:13:55,044 --> 00:13:57,034 publicly accessible courts necessarily. 295 00:13:58,110 --> 00:13:58,440 Membership. 296 00:13:58,445 --> 00:13:58,740 Yeah. 297 00:13:59,055 --> 00:14:00,300 The, the, the one in Raleigh. 298 00:14:00,540 --> 00:14:02,630 It's, um, I play a tournament there. 299 00:14:02,630 --> 00:14:03,620 It's in North Hill. 300 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:04,805 Um, yeah, that's right. 301 00:14:04,805 --> 00:14:07,340 And they have a, I mean, it's a beautiful club and they put, you know, 302 00:14:07,370 --> 00:14:11,450 they, they, they took some space and they put uh, uh, uh, three, uh, Padel 303 00:14:11,450 --> 00:14:13,010 courts and everybody's in love with it. 304 00:14:13,010 --> 00:14:14,510 You know, it's, it's really exciting. 305 00:14:14,570 --> 00:14:16,070 I think that's just the test, right? 306 00:14:16,070 --> 00:14:19,880 To see what they get, what, what the reaction is, and see if there's 307 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:21,155 enough, uh, people who, who are. 308 00:14:21,490 --> 00:14:26,120 Who, who were interested in battle to create a club, you know, so it's good. 309 00:14:26,190 --> 00:14:30,760 So, so tell us, um, who is the co owner or the co author 310 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,300 that you put on your LinkedIn? 311 00:14:32,300 --> 00:14:33,640 And is there somebody else? 312 00:14:34,930 --> 00:14:39,119 Um, I just really partnered with Ollie Morgan in the UK, and 313 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:43,480 that's just more from a structural setting up the site and everything. 314 00:14:43,490 --> 00:14:46,170 The content's a hundred percent on me at this point. 315 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,719 Um, but he just has a background in that. 316 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:55,130 But yeah, at this, this point, I hopefully down the road, we will have 317 00:14:55,130 --> 00:14:59,210 the bandwidth to get some more, um, writers from around the states that 318 00:14:59,210 --> 00:15:03,040 can cover things maybe regionally can cover a little more intently. 319 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:06,319 But yeah, for right now, it's a full time job for me. 320 00:15:06,469 --> 00:15:09,019 So, I mean, let me ask you the thing. 321 00:15:09,019 --> 00:15:11,250 I mean, are you doing for free or you get some, some 322 00:15:11,250 --> 00:15:12,810 advertisers and things like that? 323 00:15:13,954 --> 00:15:15,665 Um, we do have advertisers. 324 00:15:15,675 --> 00:15:20,875 It's, um, almost for free at this point, we'll say, which again, I think to be 325 00:15:20,925 --> 00:15:26,765 the sort of leading voice in this space, um, is the upside opportunity is there. 326 00:15:26,765 --> 00:15:30,124 So it's really worth, worth the time and investment that 327 00:15:30,124 --> 00:15:31,135 I think will pay dividends. 328 00:15:32,290 --> 00:15:37,459 And even to be honest to the connections I've made in the last Month since I 329 00:15:37,459 --> 00:15:41,569 started this are just invaluable to me Yeah, especially if we look to 330 00:15:41,569 --> 00:15:46,449 bring courts to girls and just various other business opportunities I've 331 00:15:46,449 --> 00:15:48,399 had another company reach out to me. 332 00:15:48,399 --> 00:15:53,360 That's a really high end pickleball event and retail company That are 333 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,950 looking to expand into the Padel world. 334 00:15:57,010 --> 00:16:02,199 So I've become sort of an advisor Again, just connections that are invaluable. 335 00:16:02,660 --> 00:16:05,620 So do you see yourself opening up a club in the future with the 336 00:16:05,620 --> 00:16:07,060 right investor, right, right team? 337 00:16:08,089 --> 00:16:10,780 Um, I would like to help facilitate that. 338 00:16:10,900 --> 00:16:14,039 I don't, at the end of the day, I don't know if I might have any personal 339 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:18,879 experience, um, opening or running clubs, but I am a pretty good cat herder. 340 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,709 I can tend to get the right people in the right conversation. 341 00:16:22,165 --> 00:16:26,815 Um, that's a skill I've picked up over the years in squash, especially double 342 00:16:26,825 --> 00:16:32,554 squash, getting four grown men together at the same time is very challenging. 343 00:16:32,675 --> 00:16:34,055 People have kids and everything. 344 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,180 Um, certainly like to help drive the effort, we'll put 345 00:16:38,180 --> 00:16:41,750 it that way, to get courts in Charleston and sooner than later. 346 00:16:42,189 --> 00:16:48,039 So, and, and on your blog newsletter, I mean, how do you get people interested 347 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:51,139 about, I mean, how do they get, you know, how do they find out about 348 00:16:51,170 --> 00:16:52,720 you, you know, the Padel State? 349 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:57,950 Honestly, I, a lot of it right now has been LinkedIn, that's been a pretty 350 00:16:58,150 --> 00:17:03,714 valuable, and we will, Um, obviously expand into other social media spaces. 351 00:17:03,775 --> 00:17:07,875 I've been in somebody my whole life, except for LinkedIn. 352 00:17:07,895 --> 00:17:09,734 I've never been a social media person. 353 00:17:10,434 --> 00:17:14,244 Um, I don't have a lot of experience in that, but I think once we 354 00:17:14,244 --> 00:17:15,535 expand into that, it'll help. 355 00:17:15,554 --> 00:17:20,234 And certainly I just reach out to the clubs I've been to, the pros I've 356 00:17:20,234 --> 00:17:24,944 met, the owners I've met, um, like the Parker Racquet Club, which is right 357 00:17:24,944 --> 00:17:26,555 outside of Denver, I played there. 358 00:17:26,885 --> 00:17:29,455 There this year and met Barry Riddle as the owner. 359 00:17:29,735 --> 00:17:32,835 Robert, I'm not sure how to say his last name, Robert, the pro there, 360 00:17:34,275 --> 00:17:38,045 certainly I sent, as soon as I started the site, I sent it to them, asked their 361 00:17:38,045 --> 00:17:42,475 players to start reading it, following it, giving me, you know, any feedback 362 00:17:42,475 --> 00:17:44,805 they could or ideas for articles. 363 00:17:45,615 --> 00:17:46,054 That's excellent. 364 00:17:46,065 --> 00:17:49,525 So I think at this point, it's sort of grassroots, sort of guerrilla, 365 00:17:49,674 --> 00:17:50,805 you know, guerrilla strategy. 366 00:17:50,805 --> 00:17:54,825 Is this, is this the first one that you, uh, the one we read, is that the 367 00:17:54,825 --> 00:17:59,035 first one you came out or there's a previous one or is that always changing? 368 00:18:00,205 --> 00:18:01,604 The, uh, sorry, the. 369 00:18:01,739 --> 00:18:03,189 Site itself or. 370 00:18:03,439 --> 00:18:05,469 Well, they know the last one that you know, that you talk about 371 00:18:05,469 --> 00:18:06,579 the Exagon cap and all that. 372 00:18:06,579 --> 00:18:09,399 Is that the first one that you, you, you put out or is 373 00:18:09,519 --> 00:18:10,840 that, that's always changing? 374 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,840 Uh, yeah, it's the first, first site. 375 00:18:15,999 --> 00:18:19,739 Um, but yeah, we're constantly adding to it all the time. 376 00:18:20,169 --> 00:18:23,959 So it's sort of like a blog website pretty much where you're constantly. 377 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:25,869 It's going to keep going. 378 00:18:26,270 --> 00:18:31,189 Shooting for four new pieces a week, um, at minimum, and sometimes that ebbs and 379 00:18:31,189 --> 00:18:36,020 flows depending on whether it's just, you know, sort of a quick news blurb, 380 00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:40,489 like PPL news comes out, we publish that, other times I'm working on longer 381 00:18:40,489 --> 00:18:46,449 features, which require interviews or research, um, but yeah, we're trying 382 00:18:46,449 --> 00:18:48,629 to at least every day, every other day. 383 00:18:49,790 --> 00:18:51,500 I'm trying to put something new out there. 384 00:18:51,770 --> 00:18:54,659 I like how you pluralize we, we, but it's only you. 385 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,090 Yeah, that's we, it's the royal we. 386 00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:01,949 Well, I mean, you know, you always need help. 387 00:19:01,949 --> 00:19:02,259 Right. 388 00:19:02,270 --> 00:19:05,899 So, you know, um, I'm sure you have contacts there that I think give you, you 389 00:19:05,899 --> 00:19:07,639 know, help you out a little bit, you know? 390 00:19:07,860 --> 00:19:11,330 I will see on your LinkedIn page, uh, Joe Gross from Parallax, 391 00:19:11,330 --> 00:19:12,929 always like you, your posts. 392 00:19:12,929 --> 00:19:13,149 I know. 393 00:19:13,149 --> 00:19:14,739 Are you in touch with them or? 394 00:19:15,199 --> 00:19:16,610 I talked to Joe, yeah, quite a bit. 395 00:19:16,629 --> 00:19:20,300 First, um, with your club in San Francisco, I reached out to 396 00:19:20,300 --> 00:19:24,679 him and I'm actually going to do a longer article here shortly. 397 00:19:24,679 --> 00:19:28,410 We're going back and forth about their hurricane proof court that they've 398 00:19:28,410 --> 00:19:30,060 developed, which is a huge deal. 399 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:30,560 Yeah. 400 00:19:30,690 --> 00:19:33,180 Especially you, you all know in Miami and certainly here 401 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:34,640 in Charleston, that's a, Yeah. 402 00:19:34,819 --> 00:19:37,160 Um, that's going to be a big deal and it's something we've actually had. 403 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:42,070 Questions about here in Charleston, we've approached people about doing, uh, courts 404 00:19:42,070 --> 00:19:46,899 or a club is the, and they withstand, should we, should we get a big storm? 405 00:19:46,900 --> 00:19:47,830 Could they withstand that? 406 00:19:47,830 --> 00:19:50,080 And what would be the sort of impact to their investment? 407 00:19:51,025 --> 00:19:51,775 So that's great. 408 00:19:51,865 --> 00:19:53,185 But yeah, I talked to Joe for a bit. 409 00:19:53,415 --> 00:19:53,725 I know. 410 00:19:53,765 --> 00:19:53,895 I know. 411 00:19:53,895 --> 00:19:55,745 He always liked your post and all that. 412 00:19:57,475 --> 00:19:58,695 That's awesome, man. 413 00:19:58,785 --> 00:20:02,605 I would encourage anybody that has information or ideas 414 00:20:02,605 --> 00:20:03,985 or anything to reach out. 415 00:20:03,985 --> 00:20:06,610 I mean, that's another thing I love about You're looking at us, baby. 416 00:20:06,610 --> 00:20:07,057 Right there. 417 00:20:07,057 --> 00:20:07,504 We know. 418 00:20:08,655 --> 00:20:10,655 That's one thing I love about the Padel world right now. 419 00:20:10,655 --> 00:20:14,495 I mean, people are profiting from it setting up as a business, but it still 420 00:20:14,495 --> 00:20:18,284 has that grassroots community feel where we're all kind of in this together. 421 00:20:18,294 --> 00:20:20,594 And that's just a great feeling. 422 00:20:20,635 --> 00:20:24,234 You don't get that, um, maybe a little bit in the squash world because the 423 00:20:24,235 --> 00:20:28,924 squash world is sort of small and tight knit, but, um, it's just a special 424 00:20:28,934 --> 00:20:30,684 sort of community to be a part of. 425 00:20:31,445 --> 00:20:36,025 At this point, I feel like if you are a Padel player and, um, you can go most 426 00:20:36,025 --> 00:20:39,474 places in the country, be embraced by other communities, just by virtue of the 427 00:20:39,474 --> 00:20:41,305 fact that you play the sport and know it. 428 00:20:42,254 --> 00:20:46,695 Um, but yeah, just really reach people, people reaching out, 429 00:20:46,725 --> 00:20:49,155 giving ideas, feedback, anything. 430 00:20:49,304 --> 00:20:55,135 Um, certainly I come across a lot of new club openings, news on my own, but 431 00:20:55,165 --> 00:20:57,605 it can't be everywhere all the time. 432 00:20:57,605 --> 00:20:59,795 So if anybody knows of something that I don't, you know. 433 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:00,870 Yeah. 434 00:21:00,870 --> 00:21:02,420 And if you need any help, we're here, you know? 435 00:21:02,450 --> 00:21:02,750 Yeah. 436 00:21:02,940 --> 00:21:05,810 I mean, look, I mean, we're here to help, uh, partner, you know, 437 00:21:06,250 --> 00:21:07,790 work together in anything we can. 438 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:08,170 Yeah, sure. 439 00:21:08,170 --> 00:21:11,260 I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's a ping pong, you know, match going 440 00:21:11,260 --> 00:21:12,920 back and forth, you know, I mean, we. 441 00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:15,430 I mean, we gather all the information from you. 442 00:21:15,430 --> 00:21:17,230 I mean, we do, you know, flash news. 443 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:18,690 I mean, the things that you put out. 444 00:21:18,690 --> 00:21:21,570 I mean, we gather, we're doing the same thing in a different, 445 00:21:21,670 --> 00:21:23,170 you know, technology pretty much. 446 00:21:23,190 --> 00:21:25,919 When did the pod, when did the podcast start? 447 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:29,689 We started maybe a year, a year, a year, but we, yeah, we 448 00:21:29,690 --> 00:21:31,140 had our own podcast separate. 449 00:21:31,190 --> 00:21:34,050 I mean, I don't know, maybe not a channel separate and then we, we. 450 00:21:34,235 --> 00:21:35,175 partner together. 451 00:21:35,225 --> 00:21:37,085 Um, you know, for the last six months. 452 00:21:37,355 --> 00:21:37,865 Yeah. 453 00:21:37,985 --> 00:21:38,205 Yeah. 454 00:21:38,205 --> 00:21:41,285 And then, um, you know, we're, we're trying to, you know, gather 455 00:21:41,285 --> 00:21:43,115 information and bring people together. 456 00:21:43,165 --> 00:21:46,174 But prior to that, we were very involved here in the community in Miami. 457 00:21:46,175 --> 00:21:47,685 I mean, there's a lot of Padel here. 458 00:21:48,045 --> 00:21:49,555 This is what you play, you know? 459 00:21:49,564 --> 00:21:52,575 So well, I'm a coach. 460 00:21:52,904 --> 00:21:54,044 I'm a, I'm a full time coach. 461 00:21:54,044 --> 00:21:55,635 You know, I coach at Wynwood. 462 00:21:55,645 --> 00:22:00,595 Uh, my whole life is it evolves around Padel, including, you know, the podcast 463 00:22:00,605 --> 00:22:02,224 and everything related to Padel is this. 464 00:22:02,765 --> 00:22:04,735 You know, for, for Seth, same thing. 465 00:22:04,735 --> 00:22:08,375 He has a different, you know, um, I mean, I play in all the, all the clubs, but 466 00:22:08,385 --> 00:22:12,795 you know, my favorite is the reserve, you know, uh, Yeah, I've seen photos. 467 00:22:12,865 --> 00:22:14,105 Yeah, I'm a member there. 468 00:22:14,105 --> 00:22:16,345 So the benefits there are just amazing. 469 00:22:16,365 --> 00:22:19,094 Um, and if I have guests come over, obviously bring them there. 470 00:22:19,114 --> 00:22:19,894 It's a lot nicer. 471 00:22:20,325 --> 00:22:25,175 But I play Wynwood, if it's indoors, there's the um, Open Padel and Ultra 472 00:22:25,265 --> 00:22:28,285 because, you know, if it rains, you know, and Padel Life, of course. 473 00:22:28,844 --> 00:22:32,335 Um, and there's, you know, other clubs that are opening up right now that we've 474 00:22:32,335 --> 00:22:36,195 talked to, you know, and they've been in the process of opening up for the last 475 00:22:36,195 --> 00:22:37,914 three years and it's about to happen. 476 00:22:37,924 --> 00:22:41,575 There's, there's so many plans, so many permits, so many things going 477 00:22:41,575 --> 00:22:46,155 on, uh, here in Miami, it's a little difficult, um, to get those permits. 478 00:22:46,165 --> 00:22:48,464 It's so slow, you know, you're looking at. 479 00:22:49,070 --> 00:22:54,200 If you're in a normal state, uh, or even a county, if you were going to put up 480 00:22:54,240 --> 00:23:00,550 a, uh, a sporting facility, you may be 12 to, you know, maybe 18 months, right? 481 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:06,249 Normal, you know, here, uh, double or triple that just because it's so slow. 482 00:23:06,270 --> 00:23:10,020 So there's so many people who want to open up clubs, have the funding, 483 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,709 have the plans, everything, have the partnerships, but they're just. 484 00:23:14,470 --> 00:23:16,820 You know, they, they just, they just can't. 485 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:20,350 It's just, it's just stumbling and stumbling because of permits, um, you 486 00:23:20,350 --> 00:23:24,909 know, uh, just little things like waste, waste, you know, traffic, this, that, 487 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:29,790 there's just so many things that, that, you know, Miami is just so slow at, you 488 00:23:29,790 --> 00:23:33,990 know, and because it's new and there's so much going on in Miami to start with right 489 00:23:33,990 --> 00:23:38,380 now, so many people coming in, that, that even makes it more difficult, you know. 490 00:23:38,380 --> 00:23:39,420 So that's the problem here. 491 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:42,069 There's just, there's more people than, than actual courts. 492 00:23:42,715 --> 00:23:45,745 Um, so, which is a great thing when it comes to Padel, right? 493 00:23:46,264 --> 00:23:50,754 Um, but, you know, getting, uh, more Padel courts in Miami is, it seems 494 00:23:50,925 --> 00:23:52,554 to be a little bit, um, difficult. 495 00:23:52,715 --> 00:23:56,514 And, and, and to tell you the truth, you know, the, my background is being, I grew 496 00:23:56,514 --> 00:23:58,284 up, I grew up playing Padel and tennis. 497 00:23:58,284 --> 00:24:01,144 And then I came here to the States, uh, with a scholarship 498 00:24:01,144 --> 00:24:02,384 and I ended up playing tennis. 499 00:24:02,385 --> 00:24:02,915 So. 500 00:24:03,580 --> 00:24:07,250 But what I see now with Padel, it's never seen anything like it. 501 00:24:07,250 --> 00:24:10,740 I mean, the demand for people to learn how to play the sport, 502 00:24:10,750 --> 00:24:12,050 never seen anything like it. 503 00:24:12,050 --> 00:24:15,830 And not even tennis, my background has been tennis for, for the past 20 years. 504 00:24:16,299 --> 00:24:17,669 And it's just incredible. 505 00:24:17,669 --> 00:24:21,429 I mean, it's so rewarding to see all these people trying to walk into the court and 506 00:24:21,429 --> 00:24:25,819 then get addicted within five minutes, you know, and that's the biggest problem. 507 00:24:25,819 --> 00:24:26,039 Yeah. 508 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:31,649 To that, to that end, one of my good squash friends who is helping 509 00:24:31,649 --> 00:24:35,019 me drive the charge to get courts here in Charleston, he's got four 510 00:24:35,029 --> 00:24:37,009 kids, all college age or older. 511 00:24:37,620 --> 00:24:40,690 That have wanted nothing at all to do with sports their whole life. 512 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:45,149 They're very smart artistic They're very sort of anti sports won't play 513 00:24:45,149 --> 00:24:49,960 tennis with them won't play squash, but they did a About six months ago 514 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:53,700 did a trip down to buenos aires as a family And Todd just begged his 515 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:56,170 kids to get on the court with him. 516 00:24:56,980 --> 00:25:00,389 Again, ten, ten minutes and they were, all four of them were just 517 00:25:00,389 --> 00:25:02,210 like, Can we play this again tomorrow? 518 00:25:02,669 --> 00:25:05,670 And the next day, and now they've all gone back to their respective cities, 519 00:25:05,690 --> 00:25:08,680 Chicago, LA, and are playing there. 520 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:12,520 I mean, it's just wild to see that just doesn't happen with other things. 521 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:15,030 And that's the thing, because I think it's just a lot easier. 522 00:25:15,060 --> 00:25:18,450 You know, with tennis, my background is also tennis and squash. 523 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:23,570 It's hard to get, you know, um, a partner at the right level, you know, to play, 524 00:25:23,950 --> 00:25:26,370 um, and be social as well, you know. 525 00:25:26,370 --> 00:25:28,389 So this is, this is perfect. 526 00:25:28,389 --> 00:25:29,600 This is an actual racquet sport. 527 00:25:29,830 --> 00:25:32,830 You can get in there, uh, all different levels can just start playing. 528 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:38,769 Um, there's, you know, um, you meet people, you know, um, that, that have 529 00:25:38,770 --> 00:25:40,440 the same, you know, passion as you do. 530 00:25:40,490 --> 00:25:41,810 And you just start playing. 531 00:25:42,290 --> 00:25:43,460 It's like you want to get back. 532 00:25:43,670 --> 00:25:45,490 And as soon as you start learning a little bit. 533 00:25:45,990 --> 00:25:49,080 Like you learn, let's say an aerial shot here, you just start, you want 534 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:50,770 to go more and start practicing. 535 00:25:50,850 --> 00:25:54,430 Okay, you learn the back wall here and like, you want to go there and learn more. 536 00:25:54,580 --> 00:25:56,780 So it's kind of like, addictive. 537 00:25:56,780 --> 00:26:00,499 Yeah, and you want to master it, you know, if you're competitive and you've 538 00:26:00,500 --> 00:26:04,019 come from other recs where you want to master it and that's what happens. 539 00:26:04,079 --> 00:26:06,210 Uh, it's, and you do have a great community here. 540 00:26:06,230 --> 00:26:07,680 I mean, it's pretty, pretty awesome. 541 00:26:08,500 --> 00:26:08,659 Yeah. 542 00:26:08,659 --> 00:26:09,610 And I think that just the. 543 00:26:11,170 --> 00:26:13,670 Sport is like the perfect level of dynamic. 544 00:26:13,750 --> 00:26:16,680 I think tennis is maybe not, I won't say boring, but it's 545 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:17,820 just pretty straightforward. 546 00:26:17,850 --> 00:26:21,170 And then I think something like squash can be a little intimidating for most 547 00:26:21,170 --> 00:26:23,680 people because it feels like there's a little too much to figure out. 548 00:26:23,739 --> 00:26:24,129 Yeah. 549 00:26:24,170 --> 00:26:28,199 But like, Padel is that sweet spot where you can understand getting 550 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,390 the ball back and forth over a net, and then you can start building 551 00:26:31,390 --> 00:26:33,450 in, you know, more dynamic shots. 552 00:26:33,590 --> 00:26:33,960 Yeah. 553 00:26:34,740 --> 00:26:38,020 Um, you know, I'll tell you an example that I tell everybody. 554 00:26:38,069 --> 00:26:38,640 It's that. 555 00:26:39,265 --> 00:26:42,675 I can get a, a beginner student, you know what I mean, with that never 556 00:26:42,675 --> 00:26:46,295 play any racket sports and I take them into the tennis court and for me 557 00:26:46,295 --> 00:26:49,295 to coach them how to play tennis, it will take him months and thousands of 558 00:26:49,295 --> 00:26:52,165 dollars in Padel within half an hour. 559 00:26:52,184 --> 00:26:54,984 They're having the best time ever because it's very easy. 560 00:26:54,984 --> 00:26:59,224 You play in South of a box, you know, even though squash is squash is very difficult. 561 00:26:59,234 --> 00:27:02,545 You have the flat ball, you know, the walls, I mean, you've got to be very low. 562 00:27:02,545 --> 00:27:02,815 It's. 563 00:27:03,060 --> 00:27:07,170 It's, it's, it's difficult to understand, but Padel has that combination that 564 00:27:07,170 --> 00:27:14,060 it's just the perfect blend of fun, challenging, mental, physical, tactical, 565 00:27:14,060 --> 00:27:15,530 everything into one, one sport. 566 00:27:15,530 --> 00:27:16,130 It's very broad. 567 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:19,990 It captures a lot of, uh, you know, a lot of the market, you know, 568 00:27:19,990 --> 00:27:21,189 and that's, I think what's key. 569 00:27:21,189 --> 00:27:22,660 Like, like you said, tennis is. 570 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:26,730 It is, it can be boring, you know what I'm saying? 571 00:27:26,740 --> 00:27:30,950 Especially now, the new, new tennis, you know, um, all baseline, baseline, 572 00:27:30,950 --> 00:27:32,719 baseline, and it can get a little boring. 573 00:27:33,180 --> 00:27:36,480 But as you get good in Padel, there's all these different techniques, 574 00:27:36,490 --> 00:27:41,549 there's a strategy, it lasts longer, there's more shots involved, you know. 575 00:27:41,899 --> 00:27:45,370 It's, it's pretty, um, and that's, I think what attracts, you know, tennis 576 00:27:45,370 --> 00:27:47,870 players, squash players, racquetball players, uh, to start playing badminton. 577 00:27:48,149 --> 00:27:48,370 Yeah. 578 00:27:48,830 --> 00:27:53,200 So Austin, uh, uh, at the end of the podcast, we do, uh, a quick, uh, 579 00:27:53,210 --> 00:27:55,479 rapid fire golden point questions. 580 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:57,029 You have, you play the golden point, right? 581 00:27:57,029 --> 00:27:59,549 It's either you win or you lose it. 582 00:27:59,900 --> 00:28:00,580 Lost a few. 583 00:28:02,050 --> 00:28:03,160 So here we go. 584 00:28:03,380 --> 00:28:05,250 Where do you prefer to play, right or left? 585 00:28:06,770 --> 00:28:07,210 Left. 586 00:28:07,690 --> 00:28:09,470 Uh, do you like to play indoor or outdoor? 587 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:15,799 Outdoor on a nice day, but being in South Carolina, there can be some 588 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:17,389 hot days that I'd rather be indoors. 589 00:28:17,430 --> 00:28:18,900 But yeah, outdoors if possible. 590 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:22,290 So how would you define your game, power or finesse? 591 00:28:23,949 --> 00:28:25,320 Uh, finesse and patience. 592 00:28:25,889 --> 00:28:26,849 Good, that's it. 593 00:28:26,999 --> 00:28:28,140 The two things that you don't have. 594 00:28:29,950 --> 00:28:32,450 Uh, your favorite club, Padel club. 595 00:28:33,830 --> 00:28:37,665 Oh wow, that's I'm gonna, I'm gonna have to shout out to the club 596 00:28:37,665 --> 00:28:40,535 that I'm part of in Columbia, the Columbia Rackets Club, that's mine. 597 00:28:40,695 --> 00:28:43,105 I helped, helped get that court built and I love those guys up 598 00:28:43,105 --> 00:28:46,045 there and I would not be playing as much as I did if it were not there. 599 00:28:46,285 --> 00:28:46,505 Good. 600 00:28:46,505 --> 00:28:49,014 Dejada or by three? 601 00:28:50,315 --> 00:28:50,845 I'm sorry? 602 00:28:51,195 --> 00:28:51,525 Dejada. 603 00:28:51,545 --> 00:28:53,075 Do you know the terms, the Padel terms? 604 00:28:53,874 --> 00:28:55,075 Yeah, some, some, but yeah. 605 00:28:55,585 --> 00:28:58,645 Dejada is sort of like a drop shot, like a volley drop shot. 606 00:28:58,655 --> 00:28:58,745 Oh, okay. 607 00:28:59,125 --> 00:29:01,879 Or by three, you know by three that you hit it outside the court? 608 00:29:02,389 --> 00:29:04,939 I'll say by three, but really that's a tough one. 609 00:29:04,989 --> 00:29:05,899 That's from a tennis player. 610 00:29:05,899 --> 00:29:06,530 He could do it. 611 00:29:06,530 --> 00:29:07,520 Most tennis players can do it. 612 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:11,459 The second serve, second serve and squash as well. 613 00:29:11,459 --> 00:29:13,499 We used to the overheads. 614 00:29:13,699 --> 00:29:14,080 Okay. 615 00:29:14,110 --> 00:29:15,259 Uh, bandeja or víbora? 616 00:29:16,379 --> 00:29:16,740 Bandeja. 617 00:29:16,740 --> 00:29:18,844 Oh, wow. 618 00:29:19,115 --> 00:29:20,105 You know those terms? 619 00:29:20,105 --> 00:29:21,305 No, I'm not saying I'm good at these. 620 00:29:21,305 --> 00:29:23,155 I'm just what I prefer. 621 00:29:23,439 --> 00:29:24,175 Right, right, right. 622 00:29:24,175 --> 00:29:24,294 Good. 623 00:29:24,534 --> 00:29:25,855 What, what is your best shot? 624 00:29:28,255 --> 00:29:29,125 Oh, that's good. 625 00:29:29,890 --> 00:29:30,950 I'm lob. 626 00:29:31,210 --> 00:29:32,615 I'm, I'm a good lober. 627 00:29:32,615 --> 00:29:33,005 Wow. 628 00:29:33,010 --> 00:29:34,055 That is in important shot. 629 00:29:34,055 --> 00:29:35,825 That's one of the most important shots in that game. 630 00:29:35,855 --> 00:29:37,745 I, I tell all my students, you're in Padel. 631 00:29:37,745 --> 00:29:38,675 You're as good as your lob. 632 00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:40,655 If you can get good LOBs, they can never attack you. 633 00:29:40,745 --> 00:29:41,345 Wow. 634 00:29:41,405 --> 00:29:49,085 Uh, alright, so your worst shot, everything else, . Ah, worst shot. 635 00:29:50,285 --> 00:29:53,975 That's, um, maybe my serve, honestly, I think my serve 636 00:29:54,015 --> 00:29:55,315 could use some work for sure. 637 00:29:55,425 --> 00:29:55,735 Really? 638 00:29:55,735 --> 00:29:58,265 And probably some coaching from somebody on your level. 639 00:29:58,485 --> 00:29:58,895 There you go. 640 00:29:58,935 --> 00:30:00,215 Come over to Miami, baby. 641 00:30:00,215 --> 00:30:00,545 Move on. 642 00:30:00,545 --> 00:30:02,924 I would love to. 643 00:30:02,925 --> 00:30:03,335 Good. 644 00:30:03,515 --> 00:30:06,255 So who is your favorite professional player that you love to watch? 645 00:30:08,035 --> 00:30:08,725 LeBron. 646 00:30:08,975 --> 00:30:09,865 Wow. 647 00:30:10,015 --> 00:30:11,395 Lobo. 648 00:30:11,395 --> 00:30:12,244 Lobo. 649 00:30:12,245 --> 00:30:16,545 He's just in so many videos that I've seen and I've never seen yet. 650 00:30:17,225 --> 00:30:20,615 Pro Padel live, but yeah, it's a special player. 651 00:30:20,695 --> 00:30:23,555 Yeah, he's one of the few players that is adaptable to both sides. 652 00:30:23,595 --> 00:30:25,955 He used to play backhand, now he's playing forehand and he's 653 00:30:26,025 --> 00:30:28,055 absolutely fantastic in both sides. 654 00:30:28,065 --> 00:30:29,815 So that's a great partner too. 655 00:30:29,835 --> 00:30:30,465 Yeah, man. 656 00:30:30,475 --> 00:30:31,045 It's amazing. 657 00:30:31,325 --> 00:30:31,525 Yeah. 658 00:30:31,525 --> 00:30:33,145 Okay, so that's a big key. 659 00:30:33,235 --> 00:30:34,244 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 660 00:30:34,245 --> 00:30:34,525 All right. 661 00:30:34,525 --> 00:30:36,775 So your favorite racket, your Padel racket. 662 00:30:38,525 --> 00:30:40,505 I'm using a Wilson right now. 663 00:30:40,755 --> 00:30:42,105 Um, that's a tough question. 664 00:30:42,105 --> 00:30:46,305 I don't know that I've played with enough different bats, rackets, bats. 665 00:30:46,315 --> 00:30:48,775 Really great informed opinion. 666 00:30:49,295 --> 00:30:51,295 So which, which, which Wilson are you using? 667 00:30:51,945 --> 00:30:52,585 The Bella Pro? 668 00:30:54,195 --> 00:30:57,315 Um, I would have to get a look. 669 00:30:57,345 --> 00:30:58,145 Was it all red? 670 00:30:59,195 --> 00:31:00,395 Yeah, red and black. 671 00:31:01,225 --> 00:31:01,935 Oh, red and black. 672 00:31:01,935 --> 00:31:04,855 Yeah, the, the old version of the uh, Yeah. 673 00:31:04,855 --> 00:31:05,445 One of those. 674 00:31:05,515 --> 00:31:05,775 Yeah. 675 00:31:05,825 --> 00:31:06,055 Okay. 676 00:31:06,245 --> 00:31:07,515 I want to say it's like a bail up. 677 00:31:07,775 --> 00:31:08,035 Yeah. 678 00:31:08,045 --> 00:31:08,435 Bella. 679 00:31:08,465 --> 00:31:09,795 But they have like three different models. 680 00:31:09,795 --> 00:31:10,295 Good man. 681 00:31:10,615 --> 00:31:10,955 Good. 682 00:31:11,435 --> 00:31:13,605 Who is your favorite partner that you'd love to play with? 683 00:31:14,835 --> 00:31:15,365 Partner? 684 00:31:16,525 --> 00:31:21,085 Um, of these guys I play with in Columbia, they're all. 685 00:31:22,185 --> 00:31:22,485 Different. 686 00:31:22,665 --> 00:31:23,925 That's kind of what's fun about it. 687 00:31:23,925 --> 00:31:26,865 They're all different levels, different talents. 688 00:31:26,865 --> 00:31:29,835 Um, is there, like the one that is the, he's the perfect date for 689 00:31:29,835 --> 00:31:32,720 apparel game . Shout out to him. 690 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:33,585 Come on, shout out to him. 691 00:31:33,585 --> 00:31:34,455 Um, alright. 692 00:31:34,455 --> 00:31:37,935 We'll say, we'll say my friend Todd Abdon from here, who's, he's just 693 00:31:37,935 --> 00:31:41,235 a great tennis player and he hasn't played a ton, but he's just adapted. 694 00:31:41,235 --> 00:31:45,015 So Tom Aon from, uh, his dad lives in, in West Palm Beach in Wellington. 695 00:31:46,115 --> 00:31:46,505 Exactly. 696 00:31:46,535 --> 00:31:47,885 Um, you're kidding me. 697 00:31:47,885 --> 00:31:49,085 I know him very well. 698 00:31:49,595 --> 00:31:50,045 Really? 699 00:31:50,075 --> 00:31:51,575 Oh yeah, for sure. 700 00:31:51,605 --> 00:31:51,935 Yes. 701 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:55,600 So Todd's who I mentioned who took his kids down to Buenos Aires. 702 00:31:56,130 --> 00:31:57,250 Yeah, I, I know. 703 00:31:57,250 --> 00:31:58,600 I, yeah, for sure, man. 704 00:31:58,750 --> 00:31:59,230 Excellent. 705 00:31:59,250 --> 00:31:59,650 I know. 706 00:31:59,660 --> 00:31:59,980 I know. 707 00:32:00,010 --> 00:32:01,520 I know the family very well. 708 00:32:02,370 --> 00:32:06,640 Yeah, Todd's, he, he was one of the people that went down with us in that 709 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:10,750 Florida trip when we were showing Harry Miley the, when we went to Kinetic to 710 00:32:10,750 --> 00:32:12,290 try to convince him to build a court. 711 00:32:12,390 --> 00:32:16,450 Uh, Todd was one of the people that was with us and his, his father actually 712 00:32:16,630 --> 00:32:21,470 came out and got on the squash court a little bit probably in his early nineties. 713 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:22,060 Yeah. 714 00:32:22,060 --> 00:32:24,980 He used to be an avid, very good avid tennis player. 715 00:32:25,595 --> 00:32:26,105 Yeah. 716 00:32:26,215 --> 00:32:26,395 Yeah. 717 00:32:26,435 --> 00:32:29,215 Todd's just as you know, is just an all around exceptional. 718 00:32:30,135 --> 00:32:30,785 That's awesome. 719 00:32:30,795 --> 00:32:31,345 That's great. 720 00:32:31,385 --> 00:32:32,065 It's small world. 721 00:32:32,175 --> 00:32:35,965 And he's actually one of our main, he's one of our main guys that along with me is 722 00:32:35,965 --> 00:32:38,225 trying to drive ports here in Charleston. 723 00:32:38,695 --> 00:32:39,365 That's awesome. 724 00:32:39,785 --> 00:32:42,325 Anything we can do to help, reach out, reach out to us. 725 00:32:42,925 --> 00:32:43,275 Beautiful. 726 00:32:43,275 --> 00:32:43,745 Absolutely. 727 00:32:43,765 --> 00:32:44,105 Okay. 728 00:32:44,305 --> 00:32:44,885 Golden point. 729 00:32:44,895 --> 00:32:46,285 Do you take it or your partner take it? 730 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:55,480 Depends who my partner is, if it was, if it was Todd, he would take it to him. 731 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:56,120 Gotcha. 732 00:32:56,310 --> 00:32:58,170 Do you have a favorite coach by any chance? 733 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:01,150 I don't. 734 00:33:01,190 --> 00:33:12,790 You, you, I guess, the first one, finally, all right, during electrolytes? 735 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:15,630 Just water. 736 00:33:15,630 --> 00:33:16,210 Just water. 737 00:33:16,620 --> 00:33:20,650 So what are your goals for for 2024 with uh, Padel State? 738 00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:27,780 I would say to just rapidly increase our readership and our scope, um, 739 00:33:27,790 --> 00:33:30,020 which I think will hopefully happen. 740 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:33,870 Um, just continue to be a, you know, sort of leading content provider, 741 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:36,690 get really quality content out there and make sure we're sort of 742 00:33:36,710 --> 00:33:38,430 on top of any developments that. 743 00:33:39,660 --> 00:33:45,650 Um, happen again, I'm saying we, the royal we, um, maybe, maybe some point in 744 00:33:45,650 --> 00:33:48,410 2024, there will be a we component to it. 745 00:33:48,450 --> 00:33:51,630 I'll have some other people around the country that are hoping to contribute. 746 00:33:51,970 --> 00:33:52,300 Great. 747 00:33:52,350 --> 00:33:52,850 Awesome. 748 00:33:52,870 --> 00:33:54,460 Uh, thank you for coming on the show. 749 00:33:54,490 --> 00:33:56,530 Um, I want to wish you all the luck and the fear. 750 00:33:56,825 --> 00:33:59,645 Everyone that come down here, man, we'll have to put together a game. 751 00:33:59,665 --> 00:34:02,745 Yeah, well it's really, like I said, it's a really exciting time and space. 752 00:34:02,745 --> 00:34:06,645 And I think, personally, I'll look back on this five, ten years from now and be like, 753 00:34:06,665 --> 00:34:12,725 Wow, back when I did that podcast when there was only 35 clubs around the country 754 00:34:12,725 --> 00:34:14,135 and I'll just be like, that's amazing. 755 00:34:14,355 --> 00:34:15,385 That was never a thing. 756 00:34:15,395 --> 00:34:19,885 It's a real treat to But meet you all and yeah, and by the way, I'm 757 00:34:19,885 --> 00:34:22,235 going to send you some information about the Pan American games for 758 00:34:22,235 --> 00:34:23,895 you to post it on, on the thing. 759 00:34:23,895 --> 00:34:24,745 Yes, please do. 760 00:34:24,845 --> 00:34:25,965 And good, good luck. 761 00:34:25,995 --> 00:34:27,205 That looks amazing. 762 00:34:27,235 --> 00:34:27,585 Yeah. 763 00:34:27,585 --> 00:34:30,705 And, and, um, I'm also part of the team at Racket X and I 764 00:34:30,705 --> 00:34:31,905 know you put an article there. 765 00:34:32,405 --> 00:34:36,145 And, uh, if I would love for you to come down to, to the event, to the 766 00:34:36,145 --> 00:34:37,985 expo, that that'd be fantastic, man. 767 00:34:37,985 --> 00:34:38,893 We can get some great content. 768 00:34:38,893 --> 00:34:41,365 Yeah, I'm playing on it with these guys that I mentioned, the Pickleball 769 00:34:41,375 --> 00:34:43,585 Company that wants to expand Shortcourt. 770 00:34:43,675 --> 00:34:46,225 Um, I think all three of us are going to come down. 771 00:34:46,225 --> 00:34:50,375 They're very keen to be in that space and, um, let me, let me 772 00:34:50,375 --> 00:34:51,565 know anything I can help on. 773 00:34:51,605 --> 00:34:54,765 And if you're coming down, we'll set up some Padel games and, um, you 774 00:34:54,765 --> 00:34:57,385 know, we'll, we'll, we'll get you going into the Padel court, man. 775 00:34:58,015 --> 00:34:58,715 I really appreciate it. 776 00:34:58,715 --> 00:35:00,085 I'll certainly take you up on that. 777 00:35:00,125 --> 00:35:02,835 I'm a traveler, so you don't have to invite me twice. 778 00:35:02,875 --> 00:35:05,565 We're building four Padel courts inside the convention center, 779 00:35:05,565 --> 00:35:06,675 so it's going to be exciting. 780 00:35:07,290 --> 00:35:07,940 Oh, amazing. 781 00:35:08,020 --> 00:35:08,430 Yeah. 782 00:35:08,540 --> 00:35:10,300 So this is going to be super exciting. 783 00:35:10,300 --> 00:35:12,810 So I'll look forward to that for sure. 784 00:35:12,820 --> 00:35:14,640 And you'll probably see me before that, honestly. 785 00:35:14,910 --> 00:35:15,740 Let's do it, babe. 786 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:16,580 Excellent. 787 00:35:16,590 --> 00:35:16,930 Okay. 788 00:35:17,230 --> 00:35:18,020 Thank you, Austin. 789 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:18,570 Great. 790 00:35:18,720 --> 00:35:19,690 Thank you guys so much. 791 00:35:19,690 --> 00:35:20,090 Bye bye. 792 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:22,720 Guys, if you haven't already, make sure that you hit that subscribe 793 00:35:22,720 --> 00:35:24,740 button and turn on your notifications. 794 00:35:24,830 --> 00:35:26,770 And remember, it's free 99. 795 00:35:26,790 --> 00:35:29,100 It doesn't cost you anything to hit that subscribe button. 796 00:35:29,370 --> 00:35:31,130 Thanks for tuning in to Padel Smash Academy. 797 00:35:31,130 --> 00:35:34,100 We hope you find our videos informative, helpful. 798 00:35:34,155 --> 00:35:36,795 In improving your game and learning all things Padel. 799 00:35:36,975 --> 00:35:41,175 So until next time, keep improving your game and remember, learn, play, and share.