In 1945, Lian Pontes de Carvalho founded the game of frescobol on the shores of Rio de Janeiro - an inclusive game that could be played in the spirit of competition or meditation. It was all up to the players.

Pontes was an entrepreneur and artisan specialising in the art of woodwork, handcrafting unique objects that he sold on the corner of Rua Duvivier - a stone’s throw from Copacabana Beach. Crafting his original frescobol bat from foraged wood, and playing with a stripped back tennis ball, Pontes’ game brought a distinct - now iconic - sound to Copacabana beach: a rhythmic ‘knock-knock’. Often deemed as tennis for the beach, frescobol has quickly become a symbol of Rio de Janeiro’s infectious Carioca lifestyle. 

In honour of Pontes’ game and Carioca lifestyle, FRESCOBOL CARIOCA was founded in 2013, introducing the handcrafted frescobol bat to the world at large. As our founding product, the basis of our dedication to craft excellence, and a vital part of Carioca culture, frescobol bats are an essential part of our brand DNA. Each iteration of our bats is named after a Brazilian shoreline that would best serve as backdrop for their respective game of frescobol. Discover what makes each bat unique: 

A celebration of the simplicity and laid back beauty, our frescobol bats are made one-of-a-kind by our proprietary savoir-faire in our Brazilian marcenaria since the brand's inception. Our bat’s craftsmanship is entirely local, starting their journey via Brazil's prestigious furniture industry. Each tree that is utilized for production leaves behind smaller offcuts from varied species of Brazilian wood: mostly Ipê (Brazilian Walnut); Cedro (cedar), Pinus (Pine), Masaranduba (Beefwood). Rather than allow these to be discarded, these offcuts are then gathered and sent to our manufacturer.

After a careful curation process of which pieces can be used for what part of the structure, our skilled marceneiros utilize either one (Barra), five (Trancoso) or 17 (Leblon) pieces to form the signature symmetrical base of our wooden bats. These are then carefully carved out and sanded down to create the smooth faces of the bat. Due to this unique method and handcrafted nature, each of our frescobol bats is unique in both weight, wood colouring and composition, making yours completely one-of-a-kind. The finished 'lightbulb' shape (now synonymous with the game itself) is then heat-stamped with our logo, followed by a coating with natural resin; providing water- and sand-resistance to keep the bat at its best for as long as possible.

Shoreline of Leblon, Rio de Janeiro | The Leblon Frescobol bat set

The Leblon set is our art-deco inspired take on frescobol bats. Named after Rio de Janeiro’s upscale Leblon bairro, this set features a more complex design, reflecting the coastal neighbourhood's ornate aesthetics. Leblon’s beachgoers are notorious for their casual elegance, effortlessly exuded in each aspect of their beach essentials - even down to their frescobol bats.

The Trancoso Frescobol bat set | Coast of Trancoso, Bahia

Our Trancoso set, comprising six distinguishable sections on each face, is an homage to the coastal city of the same name. Known for its crystalline ocean and paradisiacal landscapes, this set of bats mirrors a serene approach in their construction; maintaining our signature modernist aesthetic through a pared back design. 

Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro | The Barra Frescobol bat set

Introducing the third interpretation and next generation of our eponymous product: the Barra frescobol bat. Its namesake bairro, Barra da Tijuca, is home to the city’s longest-spanning shoreline, known as the ideal beach for practicing nearly every sport – chief among them, frescobol. This set’s minimalist approach is designed for a relaxed, easy playthrough. 

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