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The Pickle Newsletter #4
Alex Matathia
June 19, 2024
PPA News:
Andrei Daescu has been suspended for 60 days by the PPA and fined $50,000 for having submitted a paddle to testing with a foreign substance (pine tar) on the surface. Andrei claims he accidentally submitted the wrong paddle that was used by his training partners.
Vulcan launched their new version of the VPRO Flight ball (the official ball of the PPA). These were developed after initial quality control issues from their first release, as many were going out of round. This ball should be available to the public this summer.
Ben Johns and Leigh Waters get caught on a hot mic making fun of Tyra Black
Paddle Updates:
New USA Pickleball (USAP) rules are causing an end to the newer generation paddles that have foam in their core (besides the Gearbox Pro series).
Foam based paddles
Joola Gen 3 paddles remain banned after failing re-certification from USAP. USAP claimed previously approved paddles were not the same ones currently being sold to the public. Joola is planning on suing USAP.
Ronbus had their new ‘Ripple’ paddle banned from USAP after USAP retroactively developed a new power performance test for paddles
Vatic Oni paddles have also been delisted from the USAP approved paddle list
There is a rumor the UPA is going to start charging paddle companies to be approved for tournament play. This could be drive out smaller companies that have recently entered the paddle market.
Tip: Aim drops towards the middle of the court. If your opponent drops too far to the side, try hitting an erne.
Check out how much a pickleball actually deforms in slow motion:
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