Training week at a #differentlevel with the Hello Padel Academy in Calella

From 11 to 18 October, Padelite coach Roberto Schiwon was back in Calella on the Catalan coast – his fourth visit within a year. At the Hello Padel Academy he works on his own game and develops as a coach. A week of padel, several times a day: training in the morning, matches in the afternoon and evening, sea and sun in between. “For me it feels a bit like coming home every time,” says Roberto.

Hello Padel Calella from above (photo: Hello Padel Calella)

The club on the beach

Hello Padel Calella sits right on the seafront promenade of Calella, about an hour north-east of Barcelona on the Costa del Maresme. The club has five outdoor courts, a small restaurant and a HEAD shop. Between matches you sit on the terrace and look out over the Mediterranean.

Since October the courts have a new surface – green has turned blue. “That’s about the best thing a player could wish for,” says Roberto.

Sand being brushed into the new surface

Training with Alex and Martí

Roberto trained with Alex Blasco, head coach of the academy and right-hand man of founder Mauri Andrini, and with Martí, the coach at Hello Padel Calella.

“Alex is one of the most experienced coaches I know. With him I work on the small details that make the difference in the end. Every time I take a lot of that back to Dresden.”Roberto Schiwon

And that benefits everyone who trains with Padelite.

A little dance in the morning dew – Roberto correcting Alex’s technique 😉

“Martí is calm, patient and has a good eye for detail. Training with him is relaxed and still really effective.”Roberto Schiwon

With coach Martí from Hello Padel Calella

The organisation on site

Everything around the court is handled by Carla: bookings, training times, matches with the locals – at every level, from beginners to strong tournament players. “You arrive and don’t have to worry about a thing,” says Roberto. “Even at short notice, suitable matches suddenly appear. Sometimes you wonder how she does it.” And Carla doesn’t just organise everything perfectly – she also plays really strong padel herself.

Matches with the locals

The matches with the locals were a highlight again this time. The level is really good: clever lobs, patient rallies, hardly any unforced errors. At the same time the atmosphere is relaxed and warm. After the match there is laughter, a drink together and the next game is arranged.

After a match with the locals, still on the old green courts

Hello Padel Academy and the DPV

With Mauri Andrini at the P2 in Düsseldorf

Behind the academy is the Argentinian Mauri Andrini. A former professional player, he was head coach of the British national teams for years. In 2013 he founded Hello Padel in London. Today the academy is based in Barcelona with branches in the Netherlands, Belgium and England. Federations such as the Dutch and the Austrian ones also rely on the Hello Padel method for coach education. On the academy’s online platform, pros like Arturo Coello, Sanyo Gutiérrez and Paula Josemaría demonstrate their shots – under Mauri’s motto “Just #differentlevel”.

Coming soon on this blog: Padelite already works with the Hello Padel Academy, and we want to deepen this partnership. We’ll reveal exactly what we’re planning shortly. This much in advance: our players in Dresden will benefit from it too. So stay tuned.

Good to know

Verdict

Roberto’s verdict is clear:

“Super organisation, great training, a dream atmosphere and many good hours with the team and the locals. Calella, until next time!”Roberto Schiwon

Final photo with Martí and Alex