Arnaud Loubic: "Before COVID, it was 5 tracks occupied 5 hours a day..." Today, it's 1 track, 10 hours a day...

On the occasion of the second edition of the All Star 2025, Padel Magazine went to meetArnaud Loubic, co-founder of Padel touch and Padel References, two emblematic projects of the development of padel in the Arcachon basin. He looks back on the birth of the club, the evolution of the market, and the strategy of the online sales site which is now a benchmark in France.

A family project born before the padel boom

"The club Padel touch is a project that dates back several years. It is, above all, a story family and " says Arnaud Loubic.
“It took us almost two years to make it happen, before the arrival of the Covid-19At that time, padel was nothing like what it is today.

The club's opening, located at ArcachonIt hasn't been a smooth journey:
"At first, it was complicated: one hour of rental per track, the bar which wasn't turning... with only five tracksWe had our doubts. Then Covid arrived, and paradoxically, it caused a turning point. Many people discovered the sport, and after the crisis, padel exploded. Today, our courts display over 90% occupancy rate »

A club designed for padel

Designed from the outset for this sport, Padel touch It is distinguished by its friendly atmosphere and thoughtful layout:
"The club has been built for padelEverything has been designed to give players a complete experience: the bar opens directly onto the courts, creating a real connection between those playing and those watching. You can feel the energy, the camaraderie that's so unique to padel.

Padel Reference: the logical continuation of the club

Alongside the club, Arnaud and his team launched Padel References, an e-commerce site dedicated to padel equipment:
“We couldn’t just limit ourselves to selling equipment on-site. The web was a evidenceThis allows us to reach other markets, both in France and internationally. The competition is fierce, but the turnover is multiplied every yearThe real challenge is the margins, which are very slim in this sector.

The site now relies on a solid network of partner clubs :
“We have put in place a purchasing center For clubs, it allows them to access all products without having to manage inventory. It's a win-win situation.

The human adventure above all

Arnaud emphasizes the human dimension of the project:
“Working with family is wonderful, even if it’s not always easy. With Pierre"We know each other very well, we know how to adapt and move forward together, even when we disagree. This mutual trust is essential."

“This human dimension also extends to our partners and, more broadly, our ecosystem, which demonstrates our honesty, our simplicity, and how easy and beneficial it is to work with us. We are pleased that our values remain intact and we will ensure that they endure over time.”

Arnaud Loubic: "Before COVID, there were 5 lanes occupied for 5 hours a day..."

Club projects, but with caution

The team of Padel touch doesn't intend to stop there:
“We have plans to new clubsBut it takes time. And we must remain cautious. Some regions, like Bordeaux , are now saturated with tracks. There's a real explosion, but we must be careful not to fall into the pattern of the Swedenwhere some clubs found themselves in difficulty.

Arnaud also highlights the rise in power of municipal clubs :
"Local authorities are investing more and more. These aren't always premium facilities, but they attract a lot of people. We'll need to find a balance between these models to keep the market healthy."

"Padel remains a fantastic adventure."

Despite the challenges, Arnaud Loubic remains resolutely optimistic:
“Yes, we must be vigilant, but Padel touch et Padel References They continue their impressive development. Padel remains an incredible adventure, both human and entrepreneurial. And we fully intend to continue to grow it.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.