Scott Reddick’s Adventure in Building a Premier Club
The Joy of Padel Podcast, hosted by, Padel enthusiast, Minter Dial brings listeners into the heart of the growing Padel sport community. In a recent face-to-face episode in Las Vegas, Dial sits down with Scott Reddick, a Canadian entrepreneur who went from finance professional to Padel club owner. Their conversation reveals how a chance game in the Bahamas led to building P1 Padel Club, now one of Las Vegas’s premier Padel facilities.
Reddick’s journey into Padel reads like a classic love-at-first-sight story. While living in the Bahamas, exhausted from three hours of tennis in the sun, he reluctantly agreed to try this strange sport called Padel. Within 15 minutes, he was hooked. Despite his tennis background, he quickly learned that Padel required a completely different approach. “You can’t just crush the ball at every point,” he admits, laughing at his initial overconfidence.
The story takes an interesting turn when Reddick describes how P1 Padel came to be. His neighbour in the Bahamas, a successful entrepreneur named Simon who had built an 80-location escape room business, sent Reddick a detailed business plan about Padel’s potential in North America. After staying up all night reading it, Reddick sent back a lengthy text message, eager to be part of this emerging sport’s future.
Running P1 Padel Club in Las Vegas comes with unique challenges, particularly the scorching heat. The club has had to adapt by polling members about preferred playing times and adjusting schedules accordingly. Recently, they moved their popular men’s night from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM to beat the heat. This flexibility and attention to member needs has helped build a strong community.
A fascinating aspect of Padel that Reddick highlights is its watchability. Unlike tennis or pickleball, where points often end quickly, Padel rallies average 12 shots. The enclosed court and strategic use of walls create dramatic points that, as Reddick says, “make you laugh because you can’t believe the point is still going on.”
The club recently hosted a major United States Padel Association (USPA) tournament with the biggest prize pool in USPA history: $21,000. While this might seem modest compared to other sports, it represents the growing momentum of Padel in North America. International players travelled to compete, showcasing the sport’s highest level of play to the Las Vegas community.
Reddick sees Padel’s potential beyond just recreational play. He envisions it becoming an Olympic sport and making its way into college athletics. Interestingly, he doesn’t view the booming popularity of pickleball as competition but rather as a “smokescreen” for Padel. Many P1 Padel Club members play both sports, showing how racquet sports can coexist and thrive together.
One year into operations, P1 Padel has learned valuable lessons about building a successful club. Their “Tri Padel” introduction program combines education about the sport with immediate court time, helping newcomers feel comfortable quickly. The club emphasizes creating an open, welcoming atmosphere where both beginners and advanced players can find their place.
Looking ahead, Reddick and his team have ambitious plans to expand P1 Padel to 10-20 locations across North America within the next decade. They’re particularly excited about Canada, which Reddick describes as a “virgin territory” for the sport. With the U.S. Padel scene still in its early stages compared to Europe and South America, the potential for growth seems limitless.
The episode ends with an intriguing discussion about the unique dynamics of Padel partnerships. Unlike individual sports, Padel is primarily played as doubles, creating what Reddick calls “drama” when established partners split up to play with others. This social element adds another layer of complexity and entertainment to the sport, both at the professional and recreational levels.
This in-depth conversation between Dial and Reddick offers valuable insights for anyone interested in Padel’s growth in North America, whether as a player, investor, or enthusiast. To hear more details about P1 Padel’s journey and the future of the sport in Las Vegas, listeners can find the full episode on The Joy of Padel Podcast.
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