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Paddle options are seemingly endless these days. And many brands make similar claims: “This paddle offers the perfect blend of power, pop, and control.” You know what they say: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

To help you cut through the noise, one pro has put together a handy list of five paddle-buying tips.

Speaking of choices, if you or your community are looking to put in a new pickleball court but don’t know where to begin, there’s a billion-dollar paving company that’s quietly become one of the nation’s leading court builders. We get the inside scoop, below.

In This Issue:
— Anna Leigh’s international debut
— MiLP gets a major update
— When ping-pong meets pickleball

A little something for everyone.

For the first time in her storied career, Anna Leigh Waters is set to play in an international PPA Tour event. She’ll make her big debut next month at the MB Hanoi Cup in Vietnam, a decision she’s already calling “one of the highlights of my career.”

We don’t condone paddle throws, but if you’re going to do it, you should know how to do it right. Luckily, Zane Navratil is here to give some guidance. He’s got experience, after all — he’s guilty of a savage paddle spike just last tournament.

It’s no rest for the weary as the pros go straight from Newport Beach, California, to McKinney for the PPA Veolia Texas Open. Will the top seeds continue to dominate, or could a dark horse ride in and steal their glory? We preview all the action.

Starting this year, The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) Regional Showdowns will be held at select Major League Pickleball events — giving amateur players the chance to compete on the same stage as the pros. Up for the challenge? Register here.

After nine years of the same service motion, Ben Johns just made a simple but powerful change to his pickleball serve, and it might be exactly what your game needs too.

The switch was subtle, going from a stationary approach to stepping into the serve. But the difference is massive.

At PPA Newport Beach, Ben was blowing people off the court with a serve so hard, it was instantly noticeable to anyone who’s been watching him for the past decade or so.

It might not be a coincidence, either: the previous tournament, Ben faced Chris Haworth in the men’s singles finals and faced a similar serve bomb from the other side of the net. (A match, we’ll remind you, he lost.) Now, it would appear, he’s adapted to join the predators instead of the prey.

If you currently serve from a flat-footed, open stance, it might be time to switch it up.

✅ When you serve from a standstill, you're limited to arm strength. Your lower body and core are largely sitting idle.

✅ But when you step into the serve, you're engaging your whole body and forward momentum, which means more force behind the ball and a serve that actually threatens your opponent.

If Ben can still learn and implement new tricks to his game, so can you.

➡️ Watch and learn.

RPM just released the Q2 Series, their newest full-foam paddle designed for players who want a blend of power, stability, and spin.

The Q2 features RPM’s CarbonBite friction surface for heavy spin and a hybrid foam core that keeps the paddle stable even on off-center hits.

You can preorder the Q2 now and it’ll ship later this month. Or if you don’t want to wait, RPM’s Pro Series paddles are available now.

Check out RPM’s paddle lineup and use code THEDINK for 15% off.

P.S. RPM founder James Ignatowich joined us on the PicklePod last week and talked about the paddle design process if you want the inside scoop.

If you’ve played on a freshly striped public court lately, rallied at your HOA’s new multi-use surface, or watched a park renovation turn into a pickleball hub, there’s a decent chance you’ve benefited from a company you’ve never heard of.

That company is America Sports Construction — a fast-growing national builder of courts and athletic facilities that’s quietly become one of the most important infrastructure players in pickleball’s expansion.

“We’re not just building courts to make money,” said Mike Blaney, VP of Sports Construction at ASC. “We’re building courts to move people.”

And so far, it’s paying off.

ASC operates across all 50 states with offices in 35, a national footprint that means no flying in crews, no hotel per diems, and no reliance on inconsistent subcontractor networks across markets.

They’re local experts on every project because they’re already part of the fabric of those communities. In a sport where surface quality can dictate play speed, ball bounce, and injury risk, that detail matters more than most players realize.

➡️ Learn more.

Table tennis superstar and viral content creator Adam Bobrow joins the PicklePod to talk about his surprising dive into pickleball—and what the sport can learn from the global growth of ping-pong.

Bobrow has become one of the most recognizable personalities in table tennis, amassing an online following of millions through an improbable series of trick-shots, A-list guests, and high-stakes challenges.

He shares how he built an audience of millions, why he initially resisted pickleball, and what finally changed his mind once he stepped on the court.

He also gives a peek behind the curtain of creating content with some of pickleball’s biggest stars, including Anna Bright, Christian Alshon, Mari Humberg, Gabe Tardio, and more.

Adam’s snake shot rivals Zane’s infamous chainsaw serve, but the two disagree on which is harder to return. Do we smell a new challenge cooking? We think so.

➡️ When worlds collide.

You know the moment.
Energy dips. Focus disappears. Coffee suddenly feels like a gamble.

That’s where Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions comes in.

It’s a clinically formulated caffeine + nootropic troche designed to support energy, focus, and mental clarity — without the rollercoaster.

Just dissolve one slowly and let it do its thing.

If you want a smarter way to stay sharp during long workdays, tournaments, or late-night rec play… this might be worth trying.

Check out Blue Cannatine and get 10% off your first order.

Clean energy. Clinical grade. You’ll feel the difference.

When it comes to pickleball paddles, there are hundreds of options, wildly different price points, and endless opinions from pros, reviewers, and your doubles partner who swears by their latest gear.

But according to Zane Navratil, the process doesn't have to be complicated.

Before you spend any money on a new pickleball paddle, there are a few things to consider.

Once you’re pointed in the right direction, Zane’s got some tips:

✅ Don’t cheap out on your first real paddle. There are lots of brands making incredible paddles for around $100. Anything less than this is going to perform poorly and fall apart on you in no time.

✅ Watch the unsponsored pros. Focus on the lower-level pros who aren't plastered with company logos. These players are using paddles because they genuinely like them, not because they're getting a paycheck.

✅ Trust the paddle reviewers. Yes, they often earn an affiliate check. But guys like Chris Olson, John Kew, Braydon Unsicker, Louis Kobetz, Justin Barton, and more, are all highly ethical and unbiased when it comes to dishing on what’s good and what’s not worth your money.

✅ Avoid extremes. Few rec players need the most powerful, lightest, or poppiest paddle on the market. Maxing out in one area means negative trade-offs in another. Find something you can control across the court and stick to it.

✅ The paddle is just a wand. You’re the magician. There’s no magical choice that’ll make you unbeatable. In the end, your paddle matters way less than your actual skills. Spend between $100 and $200 and buy directly from a reputable brand, and it’s hard to go wrong.

➡️ Let Zane explain.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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