USA Pickleball has unveiled its first ever certified ‘quiet paddle’ – the OWL by OWL Sport – following extensive research and testing.
At the USA’s many outdoor courts in clubs and public parks, the loud ‘pops’ created when he paddle strikes the ball have sparked complaints from nearby residents.
USA Pickleball has been conducting research into a possible solution, and the revolutionary OWL paddle is the outcome.
“As USA Pickleball continues to invest in Quiet Category options for our sport and community, we could not be more pleased to work with the OWL Sport team on the launch of their paddle, which marks the very first certified Quiet Category paddle on the market,” said Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball Chief Executive Officer.
The new OWL paddle has been certified as creating a reduction in noise of at least 50%, bringing the decibel level below 80, and the hertz level below 600.
By way of comparison, current market-leading paddles tend to create a noise level of 85+ decibels, a level roughly equivalent to a food blender.
It is hoped that the new range of quiet paddles will open new avenues for pickleball venues, vastly reducing the potential for noise complaints, especially on outdoor courts.
The research process has been intensive, as stated by Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball’s Managing Director of Equipment Standards & Facility Development: “USA Pickleball conducted research over a 15-month period to accurately characterize the sport’s acoustic signature, identifying both achievable and meaningful thresholds for the Quiet Category specification while maintaining an expected performance envelope”.
OWL Sport are a new entrant in the market for pickleball paddles, aiming specifically for the quiet paddle market, having been established by a team of pickleball players who wanted to solve the sport’s noise problem.
One impressed pickleball player was 17-time Grand Slam tennis champion John McEnroe, who tried the new paddle at an event with OWL Sport and USA Pickleball.
“I think the OWL paddle technology is going to revolutionize the game of pickleball,” he said.
“Unlike me, it is quiet but like me the OWL really performs, and you know how much I like to win!”
The paddle has also had the seal of approval not just for its noise-reduction capabilities but also for its performance in the game. Top US pro Jessica Warren said: “I’m amazed at how well the OWL paddle plays – I couldn’t believe the shots I was able to hit. It feels so comfortable on my arm and my elbow, giving me the ability to play better and longer.
“For me as a pickleball pro, I’m not as concerned about noise. I play with the OWL because it is the best playing paddle I’ve ever hit. I can confidently say that anyone who plays with the OWL will instantly improve their game.”
