The HydroCourt system
A HydroCourt is a clay tennis court that waters itself from underneath. Moisture rises from six lined cells below the clay surface, so the court plays the same from the first match of the day to the last, with far less daily upkeep than a sprinkler-watered clay court.
How the water gets there
Each of the six cells is lined, with panel pipes running side to side across its floor. Washed concrete sand makes up most of the base and lets the water move through it. Above the sand, a layer of compacted stone screenings supports the clay and lets moisture rise to the surface by capillary action.
The HydroCourt system has six individual water control boxes to regulate the volume of water in each cell, providing for consistent moisture to the playing surface.
- Clay surface
- Compacted stone screenings
- Washed concrete sand
- Water table
- Panel pipes
- Polyethylene liner
- Curb
- Control box
Why it plays better
Clay courts watered by hand or by overhead sprinklers get wet in patches: some areas turn soft while others go dusty, and the court requires watering and heavy rolling between morning and afternoon play. A HydroCourt keeps a steady water table under the whole surface instead, so the clay stays firm and evenly moist all day.
Specifications
What goes into every HydroCourt, from the playing surface down:
- Playing surface
- Clay surface
- Stabilizing layer
- Compacted stone screenings
- Base
- Washed concrete sand
- Water delivery
- Panel pipes, running side to side
- Water control
- One control box for each cell
- Cells
- Six subsurface-irrigated cells
- Liner
- Polyethylene liner
- Curb
- Around the court's perimeter
Who builds them
Soft Court Services builds and maintains clay courts primarily in the West, from Colorado to Hawaii. Its owner, Anthony Lopez, learned the system from its original builder, Rick Newby. He handles new courts, renovations and ongoing care, and is glad to talk through owning, building or playing on one.
To talk about a HydroCourt, call Anthony at (805) 697-2337