If you are looking for a fun way to stay in shape this summer, you should try your hand at beach tennis. While the sport isn’t as prevalent in the United States, as beach volleyball tends to rule the summer scene, beach tennis leagues and courts have been growing. While the origins of this sport are unclear, beach tennis has been popular in Europe for decades. So if you are looking for a way to get out onto the sand and spend some time outdoors, beach tennis is an excellent way to go. Unlike beach volleyball, beach tennis is less intimidating and doesn’t require as much athleticism, but the game can be as grueling as you want to make it courtesy of the playing conditions. This intuitive sport is an excellent way for anyone of any age and skill level to have fun and stay in shape.
Many find the informality of beach tennis attractive, so it’s no surprise that many people fall in love with the sport. For tennis players, playing beach tennis is a great way to train for regular tennis, as it can help improve your footwork and volley skills. Unfortunately, finding a place to play beach tennis can be challenging, but if you have the room and the drive you can build your very own beach tennis court! If you are interested in learning how to build a sand tennis court, check out our helpful guidelines.
Find a Location
You want to find a location that is flat as possible and is free from obstructions. The typical tennis court size is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide for doubles and 27 feet wide for singles, but if you don’t have that much space and the court is not for official purposes, you can always reduce the length and width.
Configuration
If possible configure your court, so it’s running lengthwise from north to south, not east to west. It is essential to try to help minimize the potentiality of sun visibility issues as the sun rises and sets. Otherwise, you may face visibility issues during certain times of the day due to sun glare.
Clear the Area
It is important to note that before you clear the area, it is vital that you check your proposed location for underground powerlines and utilities. Once you have designated a spot, mark the outlines for the court, remove any grass and use a Bobcat or a front-end loader to excavate the area to a depth of 1 to 3 feet.
Drainage
Having a drainage system set up in crucial if you don’t want to have pools of water in your court. A drainage ditch that runs towards the lowest point of the land is necessary. Use perforated drainage pipes that are wrapped in landscaping fabric (to help prevent clogging) and lay them across the middle of the court. Make sure you place the open end at the lowest point (the drainage ditch) and set the closed end of the pipe at the highest point.
Net Setup
Install the tennis court poles by digging a wide and deep enough hole on both sides of the court. Place the pole in the hole and fill it in with cement. Typically the hole should be approximately 3 feet deep and 1 foot in diameter. While this is the most common method, there are various ways to install the poles. Keep in mind installation methods will depend on the type of net you decide to use, as each net will might have slightly different installation instructions.
Fill It In
Small drainage gravel must be put down first by spreading it evenly across the base of the court and around the drainage pipes. Once the gravel is spread across the court evenly, cover the gravel with landscaping fabric to help prevent the gravel and sand from mixing, but still permitting water to drain. Fill in your court with your choice of sand and spread it out evenly throughout the court.
Hang the Net, Set Lines, Have Fun!
Lastly, hang your choice of net and set your lines for your beach tennis court. You can purchase a set of boundary lines, use rope, or tape lines. Once this is finished, you are all set to have some fun!
At Sand Court Experts, we can make your vision a reality by building you the beach tennis court of your dreams from start to finish. So if the idea of creating your own seems like a daunting task that you don’t want to undertake alone, contact us today.