PADDLES
view these products and more at paddlesandmore.com
CHOOSING
THE RIGHT
PADDLE
Finding the right paddle will improve
your game and add countless points
in your win column. While this might
sound like the logic of a snake-oil
salesman, virtually every touring pro
can attest to the fact that this is true.
To take things one step further, I’ll add
that having the wrong paddle will cause
unforced errors and most likely cost you
numerous points, games and matches.
By Wayne Dollard
Pickleball Magazine
2019 marked the 54th anniversary
of our beloved sport founded
on Bainbridge Island, WA, back
in 1965. Pickleball experienced
very mild growth until a few years
back when everything really took
hold. According to the Sports
and Fitness Industry Association
(SFIA), pickleball now has over 3.5
million players... and it’s still rapidly
growing. Just eight years ago, that
number was 100,000 players.
There are over 50 “Approved”
manufacturers for the sport;
however, the paddle makers
featured in this issue are
responsible for 99% of the
tournament paddle market. Of
these, nine control 90% of all
|
tournament paddle sales. They
are: Paddletek, Pro‑lite, Head,
Selkirk, Engage, Gamma, Franklin,
Pickleball, Inc. and Escalade
Sports (Onix). At the same time,
there are over a dozen other
paddle producers that are rapidly
growing due to high quality and
technological improvements.
A few months ago, Pickleball
Magazine conducted a telephone
survey with 1,000 USAPA
ambassadors. One of the questions
was, “Why did you choose the
paddle you currently use?” While
the results may not be surprising,
they did reveal the obvious
trend that people choose
paddles for their playability.
T o order any of these products, call 888.308.3720 or go to Paddlesandmore.com
❘
2019
11