THE TECH THAT ’ S CHANGING THE GAME …
AND THE TRICKLE-DOWN EVOLUTION THAT FOLLOWS
By Jayme McGuire
To best describe pickleball , we should start with what the sport is not . And that ’ s static . Beyond the mainstream media headlines , the sport is constantly evolving … from the athletes playing at their local courts to the everexpanding facility options — backyard , outdoors , indoors , low-key chalk and portable net , or fully equipped , immersive social experience . And to the technology , especially the paddle technology .
One of the most telling examples of pickleball ’ s growth trajectory is demonstrated by one seemingly simple piece of equipment . A little over a year ago , a lone manufacturer was producing a paddle surface that now dominates the market ’ s new introductions , with more than 50 models using a similar — and complex — surface .
“ There are explosions in every major metric on the business side [ of pickleball ] in terms of the new products , new brands , and the number of paddle manufacturers that are really trying to push the performance envelope ,” said Carl Schmits , USA Pickleball ’ s managing director of equipment standards and facilities development .
According to Schmits , USA Pickleball received 380 new paddle submissions in 2021 and saw 118 new manufacturers pursue certification . He projects 450 new paddle submissions and 250 new manufacturers seeking certification in 2022 .
The pickleball industry is racing to keep up with all aspects of the sport ’ s recent growth . There is pressure on companies — including some new to the sport — to produce high volumes of equipment that not only meets USA Pickleball ’ s certification standards but also holds up to long-term compliance testing . On that front , USA
USA Pickleball staff and manufacturers gathered for an Industry Day earlier this year at the National Testing Systems lab near Baltimore , Maryland . Photo courtesy of Carl Schmits / USA Pickleball .