Racquets, balls and shoes are easy to buy online. Trying a racquet first, or asking someone which shoe suits a hard court, is harder. Christchurch has a few places worth knowing about.
Sporting Edge, Burnside
Sporting Edge is the one that covers all three. It's a locally owned sports store at 514 Wairakei Road, Burnside, that stocks tennis alongside hockey, cricket and others. Racquets, tennis shoes, bags and accessories all have their own sections on its site. The shoes are mostly ASICS, in hard court and wide fits. It also lists tennis balls, including Babolat. Stock moves, so check the site or ring before you drive over.
Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm. Closed Mondays and most public holidays. Phone (03) 595 2324.
The Racquet Room, Hagley Park
Based at Te Kura Hagley Park Tennis Club on Riccarton Avenue. Racquets from Babolat, Dunlop, Head and Tecnifibre, plus tennis shoes and bags. It also runs racquet demos. Message before you go: 022 646 0617 or theracquetroomnz@gmail.com.
Recreation Station, Riccarton
Recreation Station at 85 Clarence Street is a general sports shop, and its racquet sports range is the part to look at. Adult racquets from brands including Babolat, Head, Prince, Srixon and Wilson, plus tennis bags and balls. No tennis shoes are listed. Call on 03 260 2231 before you go.
Which one
Want shoes, racquets and balls in one trip: Sporting Edge. Want to hit with a racquet before buying: The Racquet Room. Want a bag or a pack of balls and don't want to drive far from Riccarton: Recreation Station, after a quick call.
Gear is the easy part. The hard part of playing casually is finding someone at your level in Christchurch who's free when you are, and it's why we're building Hitter. If your current racquet just needs new strings, restringing is the other option. More at hitter.nz.
