Introduction to the game of pickleball
I had not heard of pickleball until late 2017 when my brother brought it up. He asked if I would be interested in playing. Not knowing if I would like the game, I quickly made a paddle from some left-over polycarbonate instead of buying one. It was heavy, lacked power, and played poorly. But I still enjoyed the game!
First Clunker
Desire to make a better paddle
Having made multiple prototypes for carpentry and painting tools in the past, I knew I had the basic equipment and God given ability to make a better paddle than that first clunker.
Early in 2018, I started researching USA Pickleball’s equipment regulations to understand the specifications for a paddle.
INNOVATE
From the beginning, I set out to innovate; I did not want to copy the standard paddle. I believe to stand out amongst the established companies, there must be new features. Early on, three of those features were out-of-the-box thinking: the reclaimed wood handle, the High-Pressure Laminate paddle surface, and the flush rim on the outer edge (no plastic trim). The CT style paddle with its carbon fiber tubes connecting the paddle head to the handle was also something entirely different.
At the time, I searched for paddles that were using those characteristics; nothing was found. I could have looked at that as a warning that my non-standard approach might not be the way to go; but I believed in the plan.
Over the next six years, DRIVE paddles went through multiple failures and advancements. The core and outer rim went through the most changes. The handle and its coating were also significant challenges.
Patent Pending
USA PICKLEBALL APPROVED
Obtaining the USA Pickleball Approved status was an absolute necessity if we were to be taken seriously. There are multiple specifications that must be met to be approved. For our paddles, the strict maximum of .005-inch deflection was the most difficult rule to meet. The first series of paddles played great but could not meet that requirement. We eventually found the right combination of materials. A total of six paddles of a given model must be sent to USA Pickleball for testing; four go to the members of their Equipment Evaluation Committee, and two go to a test facility in Maryland. It was not a painless process, but we passed. We now have three models and two styles that are approved.
Your Handle Source
Every Drive Pickleball handle is made from wood that was once used for a different purpose; that’s the definition of reclaimed wood. Each paddle will include a removable sticker like those below indicating the source. If available, a photo of the source is included in the slideshow.
