Baddle Releases Six New Junior Pickleball Paddles
Youth Pickleball Is Booming – And COVID Made Pickleball Skew Younger
Baddle, the rapidly growing pickleball brand launched in 2021, unveils its first line of Junior Pickleball Paddles chock full of unique features for younger players.
Pickleball is often called the fastest-growing sport in America. According to USA Pickleball, in 2020, the sport grew to 4.2 million players in the U.S. In 2016, the USAPA launched a Juniors program, confirming the younger players' surge in participation. According to the 2021 Sports and Fitness Industry Association Pickleball report, the fastest-growing segment in pickleball is the 6-17 age group.
"Kids don’t have the same motor skills as adults until they are 12-14 years old, so the traditional paddles don’t function as well for this age group. With our new line of junior paddles, we’re filling a gap in the market."
KARA ANASTASIADIS, PRESIDENT OF OVAREGROUP OUTDOOR
Baddle Junior Paddles are USAPA approved and specifically designed for kids learning to play pickleball. Unlike competitive products, which are just shrunken down adult paddles, Baddle Junior Paddles feature a smaller-sized grip, a fiberglass surface to keep the paddle light and maneuverable and a large proportioned "sweet spot." The Junior Paddles come in six colorful and unique designs (MSRP $50). They're available on Baddle.com as well as from Amazon, Google Shopping, Facebook Market, and select retailers, including Pickleball Central, Pickleball Galaxy, Tennis Express, and Total Pickleball.
"Until now, most pickleball paddles were one-size-fits-all," noted Kara Anastasiadis, President of OvareGroup Outdoor. "Kids don’t have the same motor skills as adults until they are 12-14 years old, so the traditional paddles don’t function as well for this age group. With our new line of junior paddles, we’re filling a gap in the market."
Baddle is building its business on a combination of proprietary branded merchandise and strategic licenses. Baddle's line of Vera Bradley merchandise launched in November 2021, and it has also produced branded paddles for the U.S. Army and The Ohio State University. The company recently became an official partner of the National Hockey League (NHL), with NHL-branded gear set to launch in Q2 2022.
Download photos of Baddle's Junior Pickleball Paddles HERE.