Drew Pierce

Drew Pierce is a USA Pickleball Ambassador, PPR certified coach, and tennis crossover who covers beginner tips, paddle releases, and the sport's growing culture. Read more on his About page or tune into Pickle Rock Radio.

The 2026 Guide to “Durable Grit” (11SIX24 vs. Spartus P1)

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The biggest equipment complaint of 2025 was raw carbon fiber paddles going “bald” and losing their spin after just a few months of heavy play. In Q1 2026, the industry finally solved this with the “Durable Grit” revolution. Paddles like the 11SIX24 Power 2 Vapor (featuring HexGrit) and the Spartus P1 (featuring PermaGrit) are using new ceramic and embedded-particle textures that simply do not wear out. If you are tired of replacing your $200 paddle every three months just to keep your topspin, it is time to upgrade to next-gen grit.

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Selkirk SLK 2026 Reset: Why the Halo Was Discontinued & What to Buy Instead

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If you went online recently to buy the wildly popular Selkirk SLK Halo or SLK Evo, you probably noticed they are gone. In Q1 2026, Selkirk executed a massive “Reset” of their entire SLK beginner and intermediate line to fix the industry’s biggest problem: too many confusing choices. They retired over six legacy models (including the Halo, Evo, and Atlas) and replaced them with a simple, four-paddle progression. If you are looking for the direct upgrade to the Halo, you want the new SLK Dauntless ($180).

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The Peanuts x Timex Pickleball Watch Is Adorable. But Is It Worth $249?

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timex pickleball watch with snoopy

Let me be upfront with you: I’ve always been a watch person. For the past few years, I’ve been wearing the same battered Garmin on the court, and my relationship with analog watches took a backseat. But in my adventure to reclaim a slow tech lifestyle, I couldn’t pass up this gem.

A watch with Snoopy on the dial. Playing pickleball. With a tiny rotating pickleball as the second hand.

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Callaway Golf Enters the Pickleball Chat: Is the $250 ‘Inertia’ Paddle the Real Deal?

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callaway inertia pickleball paddle

The biggest story in pickleball equipment right now isn’t a new startup—it’s legacy golf giants taking over the court. Callaway has officially entered the chat with their debut paddle, the Callaway Inertia. Armed with “Power Edge Technology” (borrowed from driver engineering to maximize Moment of Inertia) and a T700 carbon fiber face, this $250 paddle is aimed squarely at the premium country club demographic. While legacy tennis brands have historically struggled to conquer pickleball, Callaway’s massive R&D budget and built-in pro-shop distribution network mean this isn’t just a side hustle. It’s an invasion.

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How to Demo a Pickleball Paddle: The Ultimate 7-Day Test Drive Guide (2026)

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pickkeball paddle demo

A $250 paddle is useless if it doesn’t fit your mechanics. The biggest mistake players make when demoing a paddle is simply jumping into a rec game and hoping for the best. To truly know if a paddle is worth buying, you must isolate its features through a strict drilling protocol: test the sweet spot with transition resets, the grit with topspin drops, and the core thickness with kitchen dinks. Whether you borrow from a local rep or use an online demo program, never buy a paddle based on the “Honeymoon Phase” of your first match.

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The Hype is Real: Why the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Has Me Trading in My Old Reliable

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joola perseus pro v options

Let’s be honest, if you’ve been following the blog or catching me on the courts lately, you know I’ve been a bit “gear-stagnant.” I’ve been cycling through the same couple of paddles for a while now, waiting for something to actually move the needle. The pickleball market is flooded with “innovations” that are often just new paint jobs.

But then JOOLA dropped the specs on the Perseus Pro V, and for the first time in a long time, I’m genuinely itching to get my hands on a new piece of carbon fiber.

Here is why this launch feels different and why the “Pro V” might be the shift we’ve been waiting for.

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Honolulu J2NF vs 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 Review: Best Foam-Core Paddle?

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Honolulu J2NF vs 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 pickleball paddle battle comparison on outdoor court with glowing outlines

The foam-core revolution is officially here, and it’s getting loud. If you’ve been hanging around the courts lately, you’ve probably heard that deep “thud” of a foam-filled paddle. It’s a completely different feel than the hollow “clack” we’ve all used for years.

Today, I’m putting two of the newest and most hyped 2026 releases against each other. In one corner, we have the Honolulu J2NF, a paddle being hailed as the “Forgiveness King.” In the other, the 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2, a brand-new “value disruptor” that just launched with a surface texture—HexGrit—that looks like it could peel the paint off a car.

I’ve spent the last week rotating between these two in competitive play. While they both use foam, they represent two completely different philosophies of the game.

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Choosing the Best Shoes for Knee Support: A Guide for Players Who Want to Keep Playing

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Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there: you’ve just finished a three-hour marathon session at the local park, you’ve hit the dink of your life, and you’re feeling like a total pro. Then, you try to get out of your car at home and—creak—your knees decide to remind you that you aren’t twenty anymore.

If your knees are screaming louder than a banger who just missed a put-away, it might not just be “getting older.” It might be your shoes.

In pickleball, we’re constantly shuffling, pivoting, and lunging. If your shoes aren’t absorbing that impact, your knees are doing the heavy lifting for them. Is it time to stop blaming the court and start looking at your feet?

Here is the Pickleball Rookie guide to finding the best shoes for knee support in 2026.

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Andre Agassi Launches the World Series of Pickleball

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world series of pickleball

Yesterday brought some big news out of Las Vegas that’s getting everyone in the pickleball world talking: tennis legend Andre Agassi is launching the World Series of Pickleball, headquartered right here in Sin City.

On the surface, this sounds fantastic. An eight-time Grand Slam champion with deep Las Vegas roots creating a global pickleball championship? Count me in. But as someone who’s been following this sport’s professionalization closely, I’ve got questions. Let’s dig into what we know, what we don’t know, and what this really means for the future of professional pickleball.

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How to Catch Your Breath During a Pickleball Match: 12 Sneaky Ways to Slow Down the Game

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You’re two games into a rally-heavy match, your heart’s pounding like a jackhammer, and your opponent is already bouncing on their toes ready to serve. Again. You just want three seconds to breathe, but they’re treating this like the US Open finals.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: pickleball matches can get sneakily fast. One minute you’re casually dinking at the kitchen, the next you’re in a frantic firefight that has your Apple Watch sending you concerned notifications. And when momentum swings—especially when it swings against you—some opponents will try to rush you, serving quickly to keep you flustered and off-balance.

But you don’t have to let them control the pace. There are plenty of legal, tactical ways to steal a few precious seconds, calm your nervous system, and get back in control of the match. Some are obvious. Others are delightfully sneaky. All of them work.

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