Certainly, the structures are increasingly beautiful, the clubs are operating at full capacity, and the courts are always full. Padel is experiencing unprecedented growth in France and elsewhere. But there is one player who isn't really thankful for this development: the bird.

Sometimes fatal collisions

Overall, birds are able to discern padel courts, depending on the brightness and the contrast between the sky, the carpet, and the environment. But sometimes these animals, disoriented or deceived by the transparency of the windows, collide violently with these walls. The result: shocks that can turn out to be serious, even fatal.

Au Mas club in Perpignan, one of the most renowned clubs in France, this phenomenon is well known. Alain Henry, co-manager of the club, confirms:

“During the year, we unfortunately sometimes find injured birds, or worse. The lack of contrast or visibility can sometimes mislead them. This is fortunately rare, but always striking.”

A very real problem

The gradual installation of covered structures seems to limit this type of accident. But outdoors, the problem persistsAnd if the cases remain marginal at the level of a club, they quickly add up at the global level.

En Spain, where padel is omnipresent, the issue has already been taken seriously. Local media even report “millions of birds” killed each year by collisions with windows, all structures combined (buildings, sports facilities, bus shelters, etc.). A figure that deserves to be qualified, but which alerts us to the scale of the phenomenon.

Solutions exist

To limit the impacts, several techniques have proven their worth. One of the simplest is to pose adhesive strips ou opportunities, anti-collision stickers on the windowsThis helps break the mirror effect and make the wall visible to birds.

En Aragon, for example, several clubs have implemented these solutions with immediate results. According to local officials, collisions have been significantly reduced.

Padel, an enemy of birds: solutions exist!

An issue not to be neglected

Padel is a rapidly growing sport, and the infrastructure that supports it will continue to expand. In this context, it is essential to think about environmentally compatible arrangements, including with local wildlife. Even if the subject may seem anecdotal at first glance, it deserves to be taken seriously.

As is often the case in matters of ecology, small gestures can have a big impactA simple sticker can sometimes save a bird's life.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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