You can have someone keen to hit and still be missing a racquet. If you want to try tennis before buying one, Te Kura Hagley Park has a practical option.
What you can hire
The club offers racquets and balls for $10 per court booking, subject to availability. Pay for the equipment before using it, and return it after your game. Its booking page has the hire payment link.
That's equipment hire, separate from the casual play fee. Visitors pay $10 per person per session. For two adults using the club's equipment, those listed fees add up to $30. Check availability before you set off, especially if neither of you has a racquet.
Where and when
Te Kura is at 6 Riccarton Avenue, by North Hagley Park. The club has hard, synthetic and lawn courts; don't assume a particular surface will be free on the day. Non-members cannot use the court lights. In winter, only members can book from 5 to 8pm. Visitors can't use the lights, so check the available daylight slots before you go.
The five public courts off the Armagh Street car park are a separate set run by the council. Head for the Riccarton Avenue club courts if you're arranging the club's equipment hire.
Getting a hit together
A hire racquet lowers the cost of trying a game, but you'll still need another adult who's free when you are. Hitter is built to help Christchurch players find someone to hit with.
More at hitter.nz.
