PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The first-ever Plett Padel Open is being held on Saturday 21 December at the Plettenberg Bay Golf and Country Club, and promises to be a big hit.

"All proceeds will go to support the Plett Whale Heritage Area," said Rob Smith, chairman of Plett Whale Heritage.

Padel, as a sport, has taken off in leaps and bounds in South Africa and the rest of the world.

"Given the growing popularity of padel in Plett, South Africa and internationally, we thought a top-class tournament in Plett would provide a great platform for sponsors who align with the Whale Heritage Area to associate their brands with an event such as the Plett Padel Open."

Array of prizes

A number of local businesses are "enthusiastically" supporting the event, providing an array of prizes for competitors.

"Plett Country Club's padel courts and clubhouse provide a beautiful location for the event, which will start at 9am and continue into the afternoon (on) 21 December.

There should be good padel to watch, with food and drinks on offer," said Smith.

"Plett Whale Heritage has a number of projects running with CapeNature (focusing on Robberg and the Keurbooms estuary) to help them improve their conservation and tourism efforts.

'Ocean tourism'

"Also, children's ocean conservation (with regular whale show performances in the community which have reached over 2 000 kids this year) and promoting Plett as a gold standard ocean tourism destination through our mothership's international networks (World Cetacean Alliance)."

He added: "There is lots to do and every little bit of community and individual involvement, or financial contribution, helps."

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’