Origin Story - From the court to innovation

Crafting the Perfect Pickleball Paddle: Journey from Enthusiasts to Innovators

In a world captivated by the fast-paced and inclusive sport of pickleball, Adam Singer and Paige Kennedy stand out not just for their passion but for their ingenuity. What began as a simple search for a fun, accessible activity has evolved into a startup business aimed at creating the ultimate pickleball paddle.

The Genesis of an Idea

Adam and Paige’s journey into the world of pickleball wasn’t just about sport; it was deeply personal. The two met while caring for Adam’s terminally ill father, who was also Paige’s husband. Amidst the emotional challenges, the family found solace and connection through pickleball. “Pickleball became that thing,” Adam recalls. “It’s fun, you can do it after work, and it’s open to anyone.”

As they played more, they noticed the sport’s growing popularity, yet they saw a gap in the market—paddles that not only performed well but also offered something unique. With some capital on hand and a shared entrepreneurial spirit, they decided to dive into creating their own paddle, one that would stand out both in design and performance.

The Quest for the Perfect Paddle

The development process was far from simple. Adam and Paige spent months researching, testing, and refining their designs. They explored various components, focusing on what made the best paddles perform at the highest level. “Pickleball paddles are generally categorized into two types: edged and edgeless,” Paige explains. “The majority you see have an edge, which is cheaper to make. But we wanted to create an edgeless paddle that’s fiberglass and packed with a silencing material.”

Their dedication led them to choose a polypropylene honeycomb core—a material known for its strength and ability to distribute impact evenly across the paddle. This core, combined with the edgeless design, created a paddle with a consistent sweet spot, offering more control and power in every shot.

Adam’s competitive nature drove him to compare their designs against the best paddles available. “I went to Dick’s and bought the most expensive paddle they had, a Selkirk,” Adam says. This paddle became the benchmark, the paddle to beat, as they worked on creating something even better.

The Art and Craft of Paddle Design

While performance was crucial, Adam and Paige also wanted their paddles to stand out visually. They didn’t just want a paddle that played well; they wanted one that looked cool and resonated with players on a personal level.

The design process was intensive and collaborative. For their flagship “Samurai” paddle, Adam tapped into his long-standing partnership with a professional artist in Vietnam. The result was a hand-drawn masterpiece featuring 360 individual scenes depicting a war between pickle samurai and human samurai—a nod to the paddle’s dual emphasis on control and power. The intricate design took five weeks to complete and is inspired by the detailed, character-packed scenes of “Where’s Waldo?”

But they didn’t stop there. Understanding that different players have different tastes, they created additional designs that were simpler but still distinctive. Their “Cobra” paddle, for instance, features a striking design inspired by the cobra’s strength and agility, aligning with the paddle’s intended performance characteristics.

Their dedication to quality and innovation is evident in every aspect of the paddle, from the materials used to the painstaking craftsmanship involved in its production. Each paddle undergoes a labor-intensive process, including hand-painting, sanding, and applying a water decal, making it a product that has been touched by dozens of skilled hands before it reaches the player.

A Paddle with a Story

For Adam and Paige, this paddle isn’t just a product; it’s a symbol of their journey, their bond, and their shared vision. It’s about more than just creating a tool for a game—it’s about crafting something that players will connect with on a deeper level.

Their story is one of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. In the ever-expanding world of pickleball, Adam and Paige’s paddles are not just another option on the shelf. They are a testament to what happens when love for the game meets a relentless pursuit of quality and innovation.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, Adam Singer and Paige Kennedy are poised to make a significant impact, one beautifully crafted paddle at a time. Their paddles, born out of personal passion and meticulous craftsmanship, offer players something truly unique—a chance to play with a paddle that embodies both the spirit of the sport and the legacy of its creators.

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