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Paddle technology

Construction Levels, From Entry to Professional

Paddle price and performance are set mostly by how the paddle is built. This guide walks the construction ladder we manufacture, so you can choose the right level for your market, player and price point before a project starts.

The construction ladder

Five construction levels

Moving up the ladder changes materials, pressing method and core structure. Each step adds cost and performance. Most brands anchor a line at one level and offer one step up or down.

Level Construction Typical face Best for
Entry Wood, cut blank Poplar, UV print Rec sets, giveaways, school and starter programs
Entry+ Fiberglass cold press Fiberglass over PP honeycomb Value retail, first branded lines, high-volume promos
Advanced T700 carbon cold press T700 raw carbon or gloss Mid-tier performance lines and improving players
Professional Thermoformed, foam edge T700 carbon, textured Performance brands and competitive players
Top Thermoformed, foam-filled core T700 carbon, raw or textured Flagship models and premium price positions

Level names describe construction, not a certification grade. Final specifications, feasibility and any approval testing are confirmed per project.

Entry levels

Wood and fiberglass cold press.

These levels win on price and volume. They are the right choice for rec programs, giveaways and value retail where cost per unit matters more than top-end performance.

WOOD · ENTRY

Wood paddle

A cut poplar blank, finished with UV-printed graphics. Options include an edgeless print finish or a TPU edge guard with a textured face coat. The most economical build, made for starter and program use.

FIBERGLASS · ENTRY+

Fiberglass cold press

A PP honeycomb core pressed between fiberglass skins, then cut and finished. TPU edge, UV print and a textured face coat give a branded, retail-ready paddle at a value price.

Advanced & professional

Carbon and thermoforming

Carbon faces and thermoformed construction are where performance lines live. The step from cold-pressed carbon to thermoforming, and then to foam-filled cores, is the main lever for feel, power and durability.

T700 CARBON · ADVANCED

Carbon cold press

A PP honeycomb core pressed with T700 carbon skins. Available with a gloss face and textured coat, or a raw carbon face with a fine grit finish for spin.

THERMOFORM · PROFESSIONAL

Thermoformed, foam edge

A unibody thermoformed build with a high-temperature foam edge and PP honeycomb core. This is the mainstream construction for current performance paddles.

THERMOFORM · TOP

Foam-filled core

Thermoformed with foam worked into the core structure, including EPP and EVA foam variants. Aimed at flagship models that need maximum stability and a large sweet spot.

Face materials

Face material options

Beyond the construction level, the face material changes spin, feel and appearance. These are common options; availability and pricing depend on the project.

Fiberglass

Graphite

T700 raw carbon

3K weave

12K weave

18K weave

3D 18K

Plain weave

Titanium

Silver carbon

Kevlar

Surface finishing options include gloss, raw carbon, grit coat and fine sanded textures. Any spin-related surface must meet current equipment rules for the intended play; we confirm this per project.

Shape & dimensions

Existing molds and custom tooling

Choose from a broad library of proven molds across round, teardrop and elongated shapes, or develop a custom outline. Common build parameters are shown below and confirmed against current standards for the target play.

See Customization Options

Typical build parameters

  • Core thickness: 14mm and 16mm are the common options
  • Grip length: 5", 5.3" and 5.5" are widely used
  • Shapes: round, teardrop, elongated and hybrid outlines
  • Molds: a large library of existing molds, plus custom tooling
  • Standards: builds are checked against current USAP and UPA-A rules where approval is required