This week Dear Gringo answers a question from one of our readers about squash in São Paulo. Our reader is having problems finding an affordable squash court along with a good partner to play against. Dr G, has been busy and proffers some poignant advice to our would be racket wielding reader, that is, learn to play futsal...
Dear Gringo,
I`m looking for a good squash club in Sao Paulo that is not at the other end of the world (I live in Butanta). I tried to call a couple of squash clubs that are listed on this site but most numbers do not seem to work, they do not have a good site or cannot give me the information I need. I found one in Vila Madalena with only two courts and it`s quite expensive (180 Real) per month for just 1x per week of 1 hour squash. That is more than double what I pay in Amsterdam for an everyday pass at a professional squash center with twenty courts, sauna etc. Strange.
Another problem is that I do not have any partner, what would be the best way to find one? Any help or tips much appreciated.
Abs,
Tys
(p.s. I`m a graphic designer/art director living and working in SP for two years now)
Dear Tys
According to my crack Brazilian research team, your difficulty lies in the fact that squash is still considered an elite sport here in Brazil. Whereas you can easily find courts at any local recreation center in some countries, here you are limited to a few rather expensive alternatives. The good news is that squash in Brazil is growing, and access is much easier than it was even five years ago. (And with you joining the local ranks, it will be that much more popular.)
While I don‘t have any cheap Butanta answers for you, check out the Paulista Squash Federation website (www.fpsquash.com.br) for places to play (it‘s a more extensive directory than the Gringoes one). You could try emailing the federation (fpsquash@fpsquash.com.br) in hopes that someone there will champion your cause. I‘d imagine that a small community such as this one would be interested in a foreigner joining their ranks.
As for the partner, legions of squash-playing Dear Gringo readers will surely be contacting us soon to get in touch with you.
Or if all else fails, you might want to take up futsal.
Dr G
To read previous letters to Dear Gringo click below:
Humour
Marriage
No Falo Portuguese
Paulista Princess
Amazon Woman
Pining in Pinheiros
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