In August 2022 Selkirk Sport took innovation to the next level by releasing their highly anticipated Power Air line.
A culmination of over two years of Research & Development, in partnership with top Pickleball pros such as Tyson McGuffin, the VANGUARD Power Air addresses the need for both power and spin.,
In August 2022 Selkirk Sport took innovation and design to the next level by releasing their highly anticipated Power Air paddles.
Collaborating with pros such as Tyson McGuffin, Selkirk spent over two years in research, development and testing to create an optimal paddle for power and spin.
Pro Pickleball Player, Tyson McGuffin with his Power Air paddle by Selkirk
Selkirk has introduced new performance innovations with their new edgeless technology. Highly durable, the Power Air provides an elevated feel, combined with a polymer honeycomb core. The result is a paddle that power players are excited to get their hands on.
We asked Selkirk about the technology and development that went into creating the new Power Air series.
Shop Selkirk paddles HERE
What were the biggest surprises in the feedback from the 002 that went into the Power Air?
The 002 had extreme power, but the most consistent feedback we received was the need for a larger sweet spot and more control. The 002 was a pure power paddle, but players still wanted power, tempered with some control. So adding control and a larger sweet spot, while keeping the power air a true power paddle, was our primary focus.
What advantage does a molded paddle have over the traditional 3-piece construction?
Our engineered 360° Proto Molding technology gives more power while delivering a consistent feel.
Three-piece construction tends to create more control-oriented paddles, while single-piece constructed paddles allow you to increase power and give a consistent feel. So we knew a single-piece constructed paddle would be optimal for the Power Air.
The Proto Molding technology also allows us to offer our Air Dynamic Throat open-throat design, which increases aerodynamics. It also enables our ThroatFlex technology, which increases power.
Does the vent in the paddle cause mis-hits?
Throat vent in Power Air Selkirk Paddle
We understand this concern, and as with everything we do, we tested this in Selkirk Labs to see if the Air Dynamic Throat contributes to mis-hits. It quickly became a non-issue, with test results showing noA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More correlation between the air dynamic throat and poor ball striking.
The Air Dynamic Throat is positioned well below where the ball contacts the paddle. Players may not realize how rarely the ball makes contact with the throat of the paddle, even in the most intense of hand battles.
It is worth noting that striking the ball at the throat of any paddle is going to be a mis-hit, whether there is an air dynamic throat or not.
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What can you tell us about the texture on the Power Air paddles?
We formulated our ProSpin+ NextGen Micro Texture in Selkirk Labs. We had three goals when developing our new ProSpin+ technology:
1. Create a surface that generates more spin than any technology currently on the market.
2. Create a technology that is long-lasting and doesn’t wear off within a few weeks.
3. Be consistently within USA Pickleball’s surface grit limit so consumers do not need to be concerned about their paddle being banned from tournament play.
Although raw carbon fiber faces are popular right now, we discovered in our labs they are not necessarily the ideal technology for spin. It took time, but we were able to create a paddle that meets all three of these goals which we believe is revolutionary in sport.
With the vent, do you have any data about increased maneuverability and swing speed?
We have done swing weight testing, which shows that the vent decreases the Power Air’s swing weight, and allows for improved maneuverability. We are also going to be doing wind tunnel testing for airflow and swing speed testing.
We have asked our players and lab members directly about this as well, and they have consistently reported they experience increased power and swing speed with the Power Air.
What type of player would like this paddle?
The Power Air paddles are designed for power players and tennis players. If you have a tennis background, there is a high chance that the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air will be your paddle of choice. If you are a balanced player that wants to add power to your game, the Power Air will do that.
The biggest surprise we’ve seen from players with the Power Air is its accessibility. We have seen many players who would not consider themselves power players really enjoy using the Power Air. Players that normally don’t hit hard drives or spin shots can suddenly add those shots to their game, which really opens up their shot selection.
See what our Pickleball Central team had to say when they tried outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More the new Power Air paddles and learn more about the Power Air technology in our first look video with Pickleball Central’s John Cowley.
Pickleball Central team tests out the Power Air Paddles
If you have questions about Selkirk’s paddles or anything else, call us at 1-888-854-0163. Nothing makes us happier than helping you find the best paddle to fit your game. And then you buy with confidence, knowing you have a FREE 30-day test drive to make sure it works on the courts – that’s where it counts.
Shop Selkirk paddles HERE
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