WESTLAKE, Fla. —Xcel Padel hosted a special event in Westlake on Saturday afternoon to teach children with autism how to play a sport that blends elements of tennis and squash.
The company partnered with Love Serving Autism to create an afternoon focused on inclusion through sport. Families participated in a customized padel experience designed for all abilities, with coaching, equipment and support.
Organizers say the goal was to create a welcoming environment where everybody can build confidence, connect with others and enjoy the game.
“Today was an amazing step in the right direction,” Kyle Lacroix, an adviser for Xcel Padel, said. “Incredible progress with the autism community. One in 29 children are diagnosed with autism. So the population is obviously growing, and because of that, we just wanted to give back to the community.
Lacroix said participants enjoyed the experience.
“The laughter, look at the smiles, everyone is having fun,” he said. “This is their first time out, but they already are having rallies. They are engaged. They love it. And the parents are already talking about coming back.”
Padel is a fast-paced sport played indoors in doubles. It is roughly one-third the size of a tennis court.
Xcel Padel has two locations in Palm Beach County. They are each the largest padel facilities in the nation.
The company first opened in Westlake last September. The 45,000-square-foot club located at 17035 Persimmon Blvd has 10 courts, artificial intelligence tracking technology for performance analytics and a wellness recovery room
The second Xcel Padel location opened in West Palm Beach in December. The 80,000-square-foot facility at 101 Sansburys Way features 12 indoor courts, a full gym, and a recovery center with saunas and cold plunges.
