Acquire a shovel of padel is sometimes a real investment. And like any material, the better it is maintained, the longer its life. Here is a few tips for shovel always to top.

The material that makes up the palas of padel has a limited lifespan. Both carbon, fiberglass or foam, receive great impacts which deform them and which in the long run make your racquet less efficient.

Another factor to take into account is temperature. We have already talked about it, the pala de padel a tend to soften in hot weather. So here's what you need to do to make your pala last.

Storage

This is the most important thing. Your pala will spend more time at a standstill than on a track. So remember to store it in a cool, dry place. Some bags (paleteros) have an insulated pocket, not to keep your bottles cool but for your palas because they cannot withstand extreme heat or cold. When you get home, please take it out of the bag and store it in a dark, cool and ventilated place.

Warning. Your pala's worst enemy is your vehicle's trunk. Leaving your pala in the car all day for a game in the evening will degrade it at great speed. Our advice, take it with you to work or park your vehicle in an underground car park sheltered from the sun's rays.

The first strikes

We don't necessarily think about it, but the first strikes are important. Take it easy, your pala needs to warm up too, and so does your arm. Do not enter the track by making very violent smashes, they risk weakening your pala very quickly. After a few minutes of warming up, your weapon will be better able to receive large impacts.

The handle

He is one of your best friends, take care of him. A lack of grip is a sign of a bad handle. Apply a grip or an overgrip, and get in the habit of changing them; the frequency will depend on the number of matches you play, their intensity and especially your degree of perspiration. Once at home, this handle must dry to prevent it from being slippery and especially to prevent mold. So take your pala out of your bag so that the handle can breathe.

In general

To complete this chronic pala maintenance, it is important to clean your pala about once a month for regular use. Cleaning consists of wiping the surface of the pala with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol, removing the dirt and grains of sand caught in the protector, checking for possible cracks, fitting a protector if this is not done.

Finally, when you are close to the track, never leave your pala alone, in direct sunlight or caught by the handle in the gates of the track. The direct sun causes the foam to expand and can deform the pala, and placing it elsewhere than in your paletero increases the risk of accident; a blow, an awkwardness that will make your pala weakened.

If you want your equipment to stay efficient for a long time, take care of it and don't put it in everyone's hands!

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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