Indoor Pilota!

A change from the version that is played in the street we visited a Trinquete (a purpose built indoor court) in nearby Bellreguard to watch a match this week.

Being purpose-built the spectators seating areas are raised giving a much better view (and understanding) of the game. We sat in the gallery at what we understand is the ‘safest’ end to watch from! The accompanying photos show the good view that we had.

The player’s hands are fascinating in the way that they have to be prepared for the game. They are used as the racquets themselves to hit the fast moving hard leather covered ball from one end of the court to the other. The player’s hands take about an hour to make up with ‘armour’ consisting of leather thimbles and pads together with metal plates to protect vulnerable joints, all bound with padded plaster to keep everything in place.

Our Spanish neighbour who went with us to the match introduced us to a friend of his who manufactures the hard leather thimble-like pieces that form part of the players hand armour. Each ‘thimble’ takes about 15 minutes to make and the thick hide has to be soaked in water in order to be moulded and stitched into shape.



These matches are played regularly and are a recommended visit for our guests that enjoy sport and want to see something different as this sport is only played in a big way in the Valencia Region.