There are players who try to intimidate you. Then there’s Christopher Haworth, who looks like he’s calmly filing taxes while dismantling your crosscourt dink pattern. He just wins. And if you’ve coached as long as I have, you know that’s the scariest kind of player. Who Is Christopher Haworth? ...
Bread & Butter Pickleball Overview I’ll never forget the first time I saw a Bread & Butter paddle – the wild graphics and cheeky names immediately told me this company was different. Bread & Butter Pickleball was founded in 2022 by Doug Sapusek and is run with his two adult children as a passionate ...
By Lleyton Howard (5.0 coach). Playtesters: Mason Kelley (4.5) & Sophia Martinez (3.5). Quick Summary (TL;DR) Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6/5) — elite pop and power with a surprisingly forgiving sweet spot; not built for timid hands. Shape Tested: Elongated (new Selkirk Labs silhouette). What it’s for: Power ...
Brenton Cashmore
Let me be blunt: if you’re chasing pop, speed, and aggression, this paddle might make your other paddles jealous. But it’s not perfect (what is?), especially for folks more worried about “Will my elbow survive this?” than “How fast can I hit a winner?” Get the Bantam and Start Hunting Today! We grabbed this ...
When Hunter Johnson steps onto a pickleball court, opponents know they’re in for a battle – and likely a barrage of blistering forehands. At 6’0” tall with a lanky build honed on tennis courts, Johnson has adapted his game to rattle the pickleball world. The 31-year-old’s journey from college tennis standout to ...
Mason Kelley
Look, we love pickleball. We also love our knees, arches, and lower backs — but only one of those seems to be holding up. Enter K-Swiss, who have been cranking out tennis shoes forever and now want a piece of the pickleball pie. They’ve dropped three models that all promise comfort, support, and traction for the ...
By Lleyton Howard (5.0 coach). Playtesters: Mason Kelley (4.0) and Sophia Martinez (3.5). Quick Summary (TL;DR) Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5) — legitimately quiet, confidence-building control, average power & spin. Great for: HOA / noise-restricted courts, doubles tacticians, anyone who values ...
By Mason Kelley (4.5 player, veterinary assistant, D3 tennis alum) The Honolulu Sword & Shield J2K had been buzzing in my local group for weeks before I finally got my hands on it. I’d just finished a morning shift at the vet clinic (yes, I still had dog hair on my scrubs), grabbed my gear, and headed to Fred ...
Quick Summary (TL;DR) Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 – elite spin and solid power, with a learning curve on touch shots) Key Specs: Weight: ~8.0 oz average Thickness: 14 mm TruFoam Core Handle: 5.3″ length, 4.125″ grip Measured Spin: ~2300 RPM (high tier) Swingweight: 107 (lighter than ...
Discover 7 physical therapist-approved recovery techniques every pickleball player over 45 should know. From foam rolling to contrast therapy, these smart strategies will help you bounce back faster, play longer, and feel better after every match.
Discover how the Diadem Warrior Blue Core’s durable foam core, etched carbon face, and lifetime warranty deliver unmatched control, stability, and spin in 2025.
Mason Kelley
I’ve always believed pickleball should be as accessible as it is fun—no matter your budget or skill level. That’s why I love what SLK by Selkirk has done with their paddles. It’s like they took the heart and soul of premium paddle design and reimagined it for players who might be brand new to the game or just looking ...
Mikhail Ricci 
Sophia Martinez 
Lleyton Howard