Sure, you may have your 45-minute gym routine, but if you aren’t training like this guy, do you even play pickleball?

Earn those gains, bro. Who even needs a hot paddle?

In this issue:

• The story behind Six Zero & its paddles

• All four players under pressure

• How pickleball really got its name

• Get to the kitchen, the smart way

• New paddle certification system launching

Let’s go.

ORIGIN STORY

From Back Yard to Big Time: The Six Zero Story

Dale Young, founder of Six Zero, has an eye for problems. When he first started playing pickleball, it didn’t take him long to realize what he didn’t like about the cheap starter paddles on the market.

He also soon identified issues with the expensive ones, too. Thankfully, Dale also has an eye for solutions.

With his engineering background, Dale changed the landscape of pickleball paddle manufacturing, all from his backyard.

He saw the need for higher-quality carbon fiber paddles based on the weaknesses that paddle companies just didn’t want to admit about the popular material.

So he spent 18 months marrying his carbon seam edge technology with hot mold production, a process which has now become the standard in thermoformed paddles.

Read more about Dale and the successful paddle business he started — and how he still prototypes in his own backyard workshop in Australia — in our Six Zero story.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Epic Rally Caught From Afar

This point — called “one of the best I’ve seen” by many who saw it — presents a pattern:

• Pressurized offensive shot

• Opponent defends like it’s nothing

And it’s not one-sided. EVERY player gets their paddle on some insanely-offensive ball in this point. What a masterclass (even if it’s shot from a less-than-ideal angle). 👏 

THE KITCHEN HEADQUARTERS

In case you hadn’t heard, The Kitchen Pickleball now has a sweet HQ in Austin, Texas, complete with its own custom court.

Check out this wild highlight for a sneak peak of the new court.

FEATURED STORY

Let's Put the Name Debate to Bed

If you've heard that pickleball's name comes from one of the inventors' family dog, congrats: you were duped by the inventors themselves!

A video of Frank Pritchard, son of one of the sport's co-inventors Joel Pritchard, is stirring up an old debate about the two stories behind pickleball's name:

• The Dog Theory (named after Pritchard family's dog, Pickles)

• The Boat Theory (named after "pickle boats" in crew events)

You can find additional context behind the two theories here. Many pickleball players have already heard either or both of these stories countless times already.

But what you may not have heard is that Joel and co-inventor Barney McCallum were interviewed in the early 70s by a reporter hoping to publicize pickleball (maybe for the first time on such a large scale).

In the interview, Joel was asked about the name, and first told them the true story re: the boats. He and Barney joked about saying it was the family dog, who was then a few years old and likely named after the sport.

Barney, Joel, and apparently the reporter all agreed that the dog version makes for a 'better' story, so that's what the reporter published.

Ever since then, the late Barney and the McCallum family have stuck to it, while Joel did eventually admit to the falsification (evidence here).

Is this all a bit ridiculous? Of course. But you can't start worldwide movement without spinning a few tales, can you?

But that’s not the whole story. Joan Pritchard, Joel’s wife, is long past due for some extra recognition in the role she played in giving our sport its idiosyncratic name.

Read more on her contribution here.

INSTRUCTION

What to Do After Your 3rd or 5th Shot

What happens after your third or fifth shot is critical toward taking control of the rest of the pickleball point.

Top pro Catherine Parenteau recently released a video covering everything you need to know about reaching the kitchen, the smart way.

But in a nutshell, here's how you should handle the pickleball transition zone: 

• Unless you hit a perfectly slow return that affords you enough time to make it to the kitchen, you need to approach swiftly but purposefully

• You should keep a low, ready stance as you make your way to the kitchen

• Keep your feet wide when stopped

• Remember that balls coming hard to your chest in the transition area are probably not staying in

• Any shot you make on a ball in the air (volley) should have very little follow through

• Any shot you make on a ball that bounces can have a little more follow-through

Need it even simpler? No problem. Learn “the stoplight method” here.

DON’T MISS THIS

Ever wonder what it's like to be a pro pickleball player? It's not all glamor, we can assure you.

According to top pro Connor Garnett, pickleball athletes have some of the most unique, jam-packed schedules in all of sports.

—> He breaks down how players make their living here.

TRENDING

UPA-A Announces New Paddle Certification Program

The pickleball world now has two paddle certification authorities. The UPA-A, which operates MLP & PPA Tour, just announced that it will soon initiate its own paddle certification program.

Previously, the only organization conducting such certifications was USA Pickleball. In fairness to everyone involved, we've reached out to both orgs for more info and comments coming soon.

In the meantime, here's what you need to know about the new one:

• Leading up to the program's formal launch later in 2024, UPA-A says they will use a short-term certification process based on Paddle Face Deflection and RPM measurements

• Once the full UPA certification is established, it will be mandatory for all paddles used in UPA professional events

• In addition to Pro Pickle Labs, UMASS Lowell, the same program that helps MLB test baseball bats, is also involved

• Independent brands Volair, ACE, & Six Zero have been added to the UPA-A Equipment Manufacturer Advisory Board

Read more about the announcement here.

HUMOR

Do You Even Dink, Bro?

This spoof is blowing up on Instagram — probably because of the dedication to the bit…

• His shades, ’stache, & entire outfit

• Using only the least amount of resistance weight possible

• The fact that he had to physically alter the paddle to get it to clip-in

Well done, sir.

POLL

If your local rec courts are anything like ours, there’s no way you’re playing without waiting at least a few minutes between games.

The wait can be tough, but it’s always worth it. Speaking of:

QUICK HITS

• Called Out: Player loses crucial point because of swearing

• Impressive: You’ve never seen a pickleball clip like this

• For Your Feet: Pickleball shoes you'll want to wear everywhere 

• Young Love: Romance blazing on the courts

• Stunning: Forget "The Big Apple..."

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