doesn’t seem to take itself too
seriously. It seems to attract those
who want to live life more fully.
Hopefully Paddle Candy reflects
that shared enthusiasm for life and
inspires players in a unique way.”
Vulcan’s plan was to launch Paddle
Candy pickleball paddles and gear
with a fresh, young-at-heart vibe
while making a life-inspired, art-
inspired statement. The very first
paddle—the Paddle Candy “Sugar
Skull”—does just that! Introduced
during the 2019 holiday season
with colorful, funky artwork on the
face, this first model is obviously
resonating as it is already one of
the company’s top-selling paddles.
It retails for $79.99 and, for a
limited time, those who purchase
one can receive a free 3-pack of
optic pink Vulcan Max Cool
overgrips, which makes
the paddle even more
eye-catching on
the court.
The Sugar Skull
paddle is based
on the popular
Vulcan V510 Hybrid
Pickleball Paddle
that produces an
excellent blend of
power and control.
It’s ideal for all-court
players who use a variety
of shots. It is a very forgiving,
player-friendly paddle with a
remarkably consistent face.
Vulcan called on Team Vulcan
pickleball professional Daniel
De La Rosa to be the signature
player using the Paddle Candy
Sugar Skull. Originally from Mexico,
which happens to be the origins of
Sugar Skull art, De La Rosa is one of
the world’s top-ranked professional
racquetball players and one of the
most exciting young players on
the pro pickleball tour. He also has
a style all his own, with signature
colors on-court—always in black and
optic pink —he is a natural choice to
represent and promote the Sugar
Skull paddle.
A second model, the Paddle Candy
“Turtle” paddle, is scheduled to
launch in early summer. Again,
it’s a brightly colored, art-themed
pickleball paddle, but this time a
portion of the proceeds from each
sale goes to support the Sea Turtle
Rescue & Rehabilitation Center
in Surf City, North Carolina.
The Turtle paddle is
based on the popular
Vulcan V520
Control Pickleball
Paddle with a
polypropylene
core and fiberglass
face that plays
soft for excellent
control. It retails
for $99.99, includes
a Certificate of
Support from the sea
turtle hospital and, for
a limited time, those who
purchase one can receive a free
3-pack of teal splatter Vulcan
Max Cool overgrips.
Pickleball professional Chris
Allen is the signature player
promoting and endorsing the Turtle
paddle. Allen is well-known in the
sport as the publisher of Pickleball
News, host of the #1 podcast “The
Pickleball Show,” and director
of WNC Pickleball Club in North
Carolina.
He and his wife, Jennifer, have a
special personal connection to the
project: “My wife and I found an
injured baby sea turtle on the beach
after Hurricane Sandy. The hospital
took him in and cared for him until
he got his strength back. Then the
Coast Guard took him and several
other rehabilitated sea turtles a few
miles out to the reef where other
baby turtles hide from predators.
Together we saved his life, and my
wife was asked to name him, so she
called him J.T.—short for Jennifer’s
Turtle. We are so grateful to the
volunteers and donors who support
the sea turtle hospital and are so
happy to partner with Vulcan and
Paddle Candy on this project, which
will help get more pickleballers
connected to this cause and
hopefully raise a lot of money.”
Paddle Candy is sweet—both as a
brand name and as another great
example of all the wonderful ways
pickleball is so special. It reminds
us to continue sharing our love for
pickleball with others, to try to live
our lives more fully through the
sport and the friendships we make,
and, when we have a chance, to do
something positive for our world.
There’s no sugar-coating
that! •
KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE & REHABILITATION CENTER
The mission of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC, is
the conservation and preservation of all species of marine turtles, both in the water and on the beach. It
accomplishes this through the rescue, care, and release of sick and injured sea turtles, public education
regarding the plight of sea turtles and the threat of their extinction, and experiential learning opportunities for students of
biology, wildlife conservation, and veterinary medicines from around the world. The hospital’s motto is “Staffed by Volunteers.
Powered by You.” It’s staffed entirely by hard-working volunteers. It’s funded entirely by the generosity of donors. As a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, all contributions are appreciated and tax deductible. To learn more, visit seaturtlehospital.org.
APRIL/MAY 2020 |
MAGAZINE
43