This is one of the most common questions we get from people interested in joining a camp: „But I’ve only been playing for a year, is this not a camp for better players?” or „I’ve just started and I’m afraid I’ll slow the group down.” The answer is simple and unequivocal: you don’t need to be good to join a Padel Camp. You need to want to play. The rest takes care of itself.
Where Does This Myth Come From?
Most people imagine a sports camp as something reserved for those who are already at a certain level. It conjures up images of intense training among veterans who scrutinise your every shot. Maybe it’s a legacy of childhood sports camps, maybe an image from tennis films – either way, this idea has very little to do with the reality of a Padel Camp.
Padel is an exceptionally democratic sport. The learning curve is gentler than in tennis, the rules are simple, and the nature of the game – dynamic, social, full of laughter even when mistakes happen – means beginners feel comfortable from their very first session.
How Do Level Groups Work at a Camp?
At every Padel Camp with Rakiety Camps, participants are divided into groups by skill level from the very start. There’s no single large group where a beginner trains side by side with someone who has been playing for a decade. The coach carries out a brief level assessment on the first day – a few rallies, a moment of observation – and you immediately know which group you’re in.
Groups generally look something like this:
- Level 1 – Beginner: you’ve started recently or play infrequently, your technique needs work, but you have enthusiasm – that’s enough
- Level 2 – Intermediate: you play regularly, know the basic strokes, and want to systematise your technique and tactics
- Level 3 – Advanced: you play frequently and seriously, and want to work on details and performance under pressure
Each group trains separately, with a coach who adjusts the pace, exercises and communication to the players’ level. Nobody judges you, nobody gets impatient. That is exactly the essence of a well-organised camp.
What Does a Beginner Gain at a Camp That Regular Lessons Can’t Provide?
This is the key question. You could, after all, take lessons in your own city. Why does a camp make a difference?
Intensity. At a camp you play several hours a day for several consecutive days. Progress that would take months in regular lessons becomes visible after just three days. Muscles memorise the movement, the eye acclimatises to the ball, reactions become more automatic.
Continuity of work with a coach. Your coach sees you at every session. They can track progress, return to the same mistakes, and build on what you achieved the previous day. This is a completely different dynamic from a lesson once a week with a new instructor.
Playing with different partners. At a camp you play with many different people – each has a different style, pace, and energy. This is invaluable experience that accelerates development more than always playing with the same person.
Atmosphere and motivation. Being surrounded by people who also want to improve and have fun works differently from training alone. It’s contagious with enthusiasm. You push each other to greater effort, and in the evening over dinner you exchange observations.
What If I’ve Never Played Padel Before?
That depends on the specific camp and its offering. At some Rakiety Camps events we accept people starting completely from scratch – with no experience whatsoever. It’s worth checking this when choosing a specific date, because not every camp has a full group for total beginners.
If you’ve never held a racket, the best step before a camp is one or two introductory lessons in your own city. Not to become better – but so that the camp isn’t your very first contact with a court. With minimal preparation, the benefit from a camp is incomparably greater.
Concerns We Hear Most Often – and the Answers
„I’ll slow the group down.”
You won’t – that’s exactly why there are level groups. Your group will be people at a similar stage.
„I don’t have my own racket.”
You can borrow one on site. No problem at all, especially for a first camp.
„I’m too old for this kind of trip.”
Our camps include people from their mid-twenties to their mid-sixties. Padel doesn’t discriminate by age.
„I’m going alone, I don’t have anyone to come with.”
The majority of camp participants come solo. This is one of the reasons camps work so well socially – everyone is open to new connections from day one.
„I’m not in good enough physical shape.”
A camp is not a selection process for the national team. Training intensity is adjusted to the group’s level. If you play recreationally, your fitness is entirely sufficient.
When Is a Camp NOT a Good Idea?
An honest answer: a camp is not for you if you have an active injury or cannot play for several hours a day for health reasons. In every other case – playing level is not an obstacle.
How to Prepare for Your First Camp?
- Play 1–2 times before you go, to get comfortable on court with a racket
- Bring good padel shoes – this is an absolute must, especially for beginners whose movement technique isn’t yet natural
- Don’t put pressure on yourself – the goal of a camp is progress and fun, not perfection
- Be open to feedback from the coach – that’s exactly why you’re there
- Go to bed earlier than usual, because after the first day of intensive training you’ll need recovery
Have questions about your level and how it fits a specific camp? Write to us – we’ll help you choose the right date and group for you. Check our upcoming trips and reserve your spot before someone else does.