A television script following a padel pilgrimage through Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Resorts — from snorkelling to sandboarding to a five-set defeat.
Television script — show title redacted
Shura Resort — Saudi Arabia
PTC — Intro — Host sitting in a canoe just off from one of the sea villas, dressed up in the classic snorkelling get-up.
Can you believe it!?! My padel pilgrimage has taken me all the way to Saudi Arabia, where the desert and the sea collide! Where ancient landscapes and futuristic ambition rally it out for ultimate supremacy! And most importantly its home to one of the most extraordinary padel courts imaginable.
GVs of the amazing Red Sea Resorts intercut with shots of the incredible Shebara padel Court.
VO — Saudi Arabia has pumped a cool trillion dollars into tourism over the last decade, with an emphasis on, building with nature but not over it, making a futuristic paradise that doesn't destroy its ancient traditions but enhances them. And the Red Sea Resorts are the pinnacle of that! A modern day Mecca that luckily for us has also embraced the world of padel in the most spectacular of ways!
PTC — But my court time isn't for another few hours, so unfortunately I'm gonna have to immerse myself in everything else this incredible place has to offer… (as he is putting on his snorkel and goggles) it's a tough job but someone's got to do it!!... Let's dive in!!!!
(Host jumps off head first into the Red Sea to do some Snorkelling)
GVs of the Villas and the coral eco-system beneath, with shots of Host snorkelling about, flippers blaring!
VO — The villas themselves are spectacular but it's what lies beneath that really takes your breath away. (Shot of Host coming out for air), quite literally in Host's case, he's only a beginner, bless him. A coral kingdom older than civilisation itself, a tropical playground for the millions of species that are lucky enough to call it home. Every villa, restaurant and padel court, placed with surgical precision in order to preserve the serenity of the surroundings… Well until a certain Host comes snooping about like a nosey neighbour who's just noticed you've put up a new fence. (Shot of fish racing out of frame)
PTC — Just wow! That was sensational, it's a privilege to be one of the handful of people to experience that and it's all a stone's throw from my hotel room. Incredible! Right, my toes are starting to prune so let's jump out of this underwater utopia and dry off!
(Mirage Transition)
Desert Rock Resort — Saudi Arabia
PTC — GV's of desert and the red rock formations with The Desert Rock Resort architecture carved into the stone.
(Mid shot of Host, hiding his legs) Not a bad place to dry off, quite the contrast from the serene waters of Shura island. But that's what Saudi is all about! Whether you love sand or sea they've got you covered! And just over there is the most incredible hotel, The Desert Rock Resort carved into the very mountain it stands on.
And there's only one way to get there, (Mid shot pulls out to full frame) by sandboarding of course!
GV's of the desert, mountains and the hotel architecture that intertwines it, intercut with shots of E-ATV tours and Host struggling on the sandboard.
VO — The Desert Rock Resort is not only a feast for the eyes where five-star villas merge seamlessly into the rock but it's also an outdoor playground unlike any other with a whole host of activities to get you away from the pools for a couple of hours, including some picturesque hikes and even some gravity-defying rock climbs for the more daringly inclined….Oh and there's also some incredible E-ATV tours that can drive you around the resort and its surrounding areas in ultimate luxury, but don't tell Host that, it's fun to see him struggle!
PTC — Back in the hotel in robe etc getting ready for a spa day.
That's why padel is not played on sand, I'm much more comfortable on hard ground! And speaking of comfort, it's time for my spa treatment, because The Desert Rock Resort isn't just for the outdoorsy type. It's got something for everyone. (drops robe and jumps on a massage table)
Honestly, this is one of the most mesmerising stays you can have, fast paced activities paired with tranquil downtime! What more could you ask for! And it's all carved straight into the mountains, truly ridiculous. I feel like millions of years of geology are watching me get rid of all my knots and it's delightful. Ahh…
(Host falls asleep, fade to black transition)
PTC — I clearly enjoyed that too much! And now I'm running late for my court time and its all the way over in Shebara, but fear not, cos Desert Rock has always got your back… (Cam pulls out to reveal zipline)
(As Host goes down the zipline) PADEL HERE WE COME!!!
Shebara Resort — Saudi Arabia
PTC — We've made it, our last stop in Saudi. I've just experienced two of the most truly unique and awe-inspiring hotels on the planet, but I think this one is my favourite, purely because of this little beauty…
GVs of Shebara Padel Court
Shebara is an impeccable space with villas on the shore-front that has a focus on embracing a sustainable future and being surrounded by breathtaking beauty and it does that with ease…. but for me, it's this that takes the biscuit. A padel court caught between the sea and the sky getting lost in the clear reflections! I can't wait to give it a go! And I've got the perfect playing partner to join me, Saudi Padel pro Najwa Salhab!
(Host starts to play Najwa, and the first shot flies straight passed him)
Right, I might be in trouble here… I am gonna have to try and distract you by asking you questions mid rally, then I may stand a chance!
(Short montage of Najwa dominating Host)
PTC — (Host talking to Najwa) Ok, we are running out of time but I think it is safe to say it's pretty close…
VO — It's Not, it's 5-0…
So I think it's best to play, next point wins!
(Short rally with Najwa, then Host goes for the lob. Shot of ball landing in the nearby sea, Najwa aggressively shouting 'Out')
Ahh! The glass is never in my favour, so close! But it's hard to be too upset in a place like this, Padel in the middle of the Red Sea… proof that wherever you go in the world, the game always finds a way. The Red Sea Resorts; Come for the truly otherworldly views, but stay for the badly placed backhands!
(Back talking to Najwa) Right one more game, I've got you this time!
(Fades to black)