An alarming discovery has been made in the world of pickleball, as an independent test conducted by paddle reviewer and podcast host John Kew found that 95% of USAP-approved paddles fail to meet the organization's own surface roughness standard. This shocking result has significant implications for the sport, as it suggests that the majority of paddles currently in use may not be compliant with USAP regulations.
Surface Roughness Test Results
John Kew's test involved putting one paddle from 42 different brands through USAP's surface roughness methodology, using the same machine and guide for standards as the organization. The results showed that 40 out of the 42 paddles exceeded the certification limits, with none of the paddles that failed being excessively spinny or giving players a distinct advantage on the court. According to John Kew, "None of these paddles that failed are so spinny that they're giving any player a distinct advantage on the court." He also emphasized that "We're at the point now where [USAP] needs to change their regulations. 100%."
The test results highlight the need for USAP to re-evaluate its regulations and establish a new threshold for surface roughness. Currently, the organization is reportedly working on this, but an official release date for the new regulations has not been announced. In the meantime, the fact that dozens of paddles could potentially be delisted for excessive surface grit raises questions about the consistency of USAP's certification process.
It is worth noting that the tests were not performed in strict lab conditions, and the findings are John Kew's and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Dink. However, the results are still significant and warrant attention from the pickleball community. As John Kew's test clearly proves, the line needs to be redrawn, and USAP needs to take action to ensure that paddles meet the required standards.
The implications of this discovery are far-reaching, and it will be interesting to see how USAP responds to the findings. In the meantime, pickleball players can stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments by subscribing to The Dink's free newsletter, which offers cutting-edge strategy, insider news, pro analysis, and more.
