UIM F2 racer Edgaras Riabko, a double European champion, is taking part in the inaugural Padel Endurance 12H by Paradis in Kaunas. The 12-hour event draws inspiration from motorsport, featuring non-stop play across four courts. Riabko has sponsored a prize for the tournament.
Lithuania's powerboat racing star Edgaras Riabko is stepping away from his OptiMax engine to compete in a novel 12-hour padel endurance tournament. The event, titled Padel Endurance 12H by Paradis, marks the country's first motorsport-inspired padel competition and is set to unfold in Kaunas. Organized by the Padel Vibe 24/7 Club, which has ties to motor racing enthusiasts, the tournament involves eight teams playing simultaneously on four courts without breaks. Participants rotate in and out, while team managers oversee strategy, echoing the demands of long-distance races like Le Mans.
Padel itself is a fast-growing sport, blending elements of tennis and squash on a 10-by-20-meter court enclosed by four-meter glass and mesh walls. Played in doubles, it allows the ball to rebound off the walls, adding a layer of geometric strategy. The format replaces racing laps with game scores, fuel stops with energy drinks, and tire management with handling physical fatigue from extended play.
Riabko, known for his frequent hairstyle changes and past antics like pulling pints at events, expressed enthusiasm in an interview with Kauno Diena: "Say what you want about padel, but you can’t beat spending time with good company staying active. I signed up immediately. I even sponsored a prize." The nature of his prize remains undisclosed, though it's unlikely to involve powerboat equipment given the court constraints.
Registration filled up quickly, according to organizer Sonata Marcinkevičiūtė. Basketball legend Paulius Jankūnas, a Žalgiris Kaunas icon with 15 Lithuanian titles and 392 EuroLeague appearances, showed interest but cited a scheduling conflict. At 2.05 meters tall, his potential involvement could alter dynamics on the court.
Whether this endurance format gains traction or stays a one-off will hinge on participants' endurance after the grueling 12 hours. For Riabko, accustomed to the rigors of F2 racing cockpits, the glass-walled court may offer a relatively relaxed challenge.
