SPONSORED CONTENT | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT the proper tint , players can enhance the ball ’ s contrast against the court , improving their depth perception , timing , and reaction speed .
Currently , performance eyewear brand RIA Eyewear is leading the charge in building products specifically for pickleball players . With a focus on blending court-specific optics and advanced safety features , the New York-based company ’ s ethos is that protection doesn ’ t have to come at the cost of performance , and vice versa . RIA has been the Official Eyewear Partner of USA Pickleball since 2020 , and has developed various pickleball-specific safety tests to ensure proper protection from pickleballs traveling at high speeds .
“ As a lifelong squash — and now avid pickleball — player , I can personally testify to the importance of eye protection for all racquet sports ,” said Philip Bullen , member of the USA Pickleball Board of Directors . “ In our role as the national governing body , USA Pickleball is committed to amplifying that message with our members and the sports community as a whole .”
RIA ’ s collection of racquet sports eyewear features shatterproof
ZEISS™ lenses that enhance the contrast of the pickleball against the court and block 100 % of UVA / B rays . These proprietary lenses are housed in lightweight , Italian-made frames that feature an interchangeable lens system to account for different lighting conditions . Along with impact-resistant Court HD + lenses , developed for sunny court conditions , RIA also offers Clear HD + lenses for indoor play and Hybrid Orange HD + lenses for low-light conditions . All of these lenses are impact resistant and 100 % UVA / B protective , ensuring that players can stay protected in all lighting conditions .
With the speed of the game increasing , the discussion around eye protection is more relevant than ever . “ The number of inbound calls we ’ ve received over the last six months from pros at the highest level asking about impact protection has been remarkable ,” said Jordan Kemp and Chris Hanson , co-founders of RIA Eyewear . “ When customers write in and tell us that their eyes have been saved by our eyewear from an errant shot or a partner ’ s paddle , it reinforces for us that we are building the right products for the pickleball community .”
While RIA ’ s leaders are encouraged by the increased attention to this topic , there seems to still be some educating that needs to be done in the space to make sure players are wearing the right eyewear . The most common mistake they see when it comes to pickleball and eyewear is players wearing casual sunglasses on the court that are neither built for impact resistance nor engineered to stay on your face when moving at higher speeds . Just like running shoes aren ’ t built for the demands of the sport and can hamper your game long term , neither are most sunglasses on the market .
RIA ’ s products have become a go-to for pickleball players at the highest level . The company ’ s fast-growing ambassador team currently includes senior pros Gigi Fernandez and Dayne Gingrich , with the recent official addition of MLP
Premier team players Mary and Maggie Brascia . Hailing from Southern California , the pro sisters know the importance of both sun and
Model One Impact Test
impact protection , and trust RIA to make sure they have the performance and protection they need to feel confident on the pickleball court .
“ I like the protection they provide from getting tagged by a ball in the face . It gives me confidence to really stay in the exchange when I ’ m engaged in a quick hands battle at the net ,” said Maggie , who wears the RIA Model One . Mary , who wears RIA Reflex , added , “ I play pickleball for hours upon hours every day , so having the UV protection is helpful . The glasses are high quality and can sustain long pickleball tournament days .”
RIA ’ s current product portfolio consists of three frame styles , Model One ( shield ), Reflex ( semi rim ) and Response ( rimless ), and the company is excited to announce the addition of two new frame styles this summer .
To learn more about RIA Eyewear , scan the QR code .
MAY / JUNE 2023 | MAGAZINE 95