In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, it’s all about paddles — where they started, how they’ve evolved, and where innovation is headed next.
Neil shares a bit of family history from the early days of Pro Lite Pickleball and breaks down the details of the wooden paddles players had to use at the recent PPA Sacramento Vintage Open. From handle length and paddle faces to weaving patterns and honeycomb cores, Gina and Neil take you through the shifts that changed how the game is played.
They also look ahead at trends in paddle design, what passes (and fails) in the approval process, the role of R&D, and whether your paddle actually matches your style of play.
If you’ve ever wondered how we went from heavy wooden paddles to textured carbon fiber weapons — this one’s for you.

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