Last August, Selkirk debuted the Boomstik. Almost overnight, it became the most popular paddle on rec courts nationwide. Its only flaw? For some, it’s just too darn powerful.
Today, the brand unveils Omni, the all-court option for players seeking a bit more control and finesse. And it’s got another innovative trick up its sleeve you’re about to see everywhere. We hit the courts to test it out — our full review is below.
In This Issue:
— Can you spot the fake?
— 5 questions for MLP Columbus
— A wild Philippines event fail
All heart.
Our Picks 👆
🏆 No Way: A Wild Story from the Philippines
A tournament in the Philippines ended unceremoniously when dueling ball sponsors collided at the finals. Nobody could decide which one to play with, so the finals were nixed entirely. Two golds awarded. Many questions linger. Nico the Lefty breaks it down.
⚡️ Tune In: The St. Louis Shock Seek Revenge
We know it’s just the second MLP event, but the St. Louis Shock have a lot to prove this year and weren’t exactly in championship form in Dallas. They hit the court today against the Hogs and the Smash. Catch it all on Pickleball TV.
👎 Cringey: Rec Play with ‘Karen and Kevin’
One poor rec player found himself on a court with “Karen and Kevin,” two players motivated to make things as unenjoyable as possible for everyone else around them. “He even said it was his point for not calling the score correctly.” What a nightmare.
🚨 Need a Paddle? We Can Help
A major perk of working in pickleball media is access to many of the new paddles on the market. We play them all so we can honestly recommend what we like and warn you off of what we don’t. If you’re in the market for something new, we can help.
Can You Spot a Fake?
As paddle prices continue to climb and more advanced tech falls behind the shroud of intellectual property and patent protections, opportunistic counterfeit operations see an opening: sell a convincing knock-off for a fraction of the retail price.
The counterfeit paddle market is alive and thriving. And legitimate brands and consumers are the biggest losers.
So much so, it's become commonplace to see posts on Facebook and Reddit asking whether a paddle is real or fake. Like the one above.
But here’s the wild part: this paddle was purchased at a reputable big box store, in this case Dick's Sporting Goods.
The trick is deviously simple:
Someone knowingly bought a legit Boomstik from Dick's
They then purchase a fake one from a site like Temu or Alibaba, likely for as little as $30
What comes next is obvious: they repackage the fake paddle and return it to Dick's for a full refund
That paddle then ends up back on the store shelves, where it flies largely under the radar until the next person buys it
That next person could be you. Which begs the question…
The Paddle ALW Trusts
Anna Leigh Waters’ signature Franklin paddle lineup is built exactly how you’d expect the #1 player in the world to play: fast hands, heavy spin, and controlled chaos at the kitchen line.
The C45 Aurelius series features Franklin’s gritty 45° carbon fiber surface, double thermoformed construction, and ALW’s preferred paddle shape designed for high-level competitive play. It also comes in three core thickness options depending on how much power or control you want in your game.
Not saying it’ll make you play like ALW. But your counters might suddenly get a little meaner.
5 Questions Heading Into MLP Columbus
The second event of the Major League Pickleball season is underway in Columbus, with a slew of new teams making their debut.
Participating in this event are:
✅ Pool A: Atlanta Bouncers, California Black Bears, Chicago Slice, Columbus Sliders, Miami Pickleball Club, and New Jersey 5s
✅ Pool B: Carolina Hogs, Florida Smash, Las Vegas Night Owls, Palm Beach Royals, and St. Louis Shock
Here are five burning questions after the first day of MLP Columbus:
After disappointing finishes at MLP Dallas, can championship favorites New Jersey 5s and St. Louis Shock bounce back to a spot in Super Sunday?
Seven teams make their season debut (Atlanta, California, Chicago, Miami, Florida, Las Vegas, and Palm Beach). Which one will stand out?
Parris Todd returns to the Sliders lineup after an event suspension while Alix Truong leaves the squad having just been traded. Will they return to defending champion form?
The Palm Beach Royals looked solid in their first-ever match against the Carolina Hogs, winning 3-1. Are they a playoff contender?
Our very own pro reporter Erik Tice makes his MLP GM debut at the helm of the California Black Bears. Can he steer a young, untested squad to victory?
Speaking of Tice, he put together a full event preview for your viewing pleasure.
By the Numbers: ALW’s 2-Year Singles Unbeaten Streak
It’s been 729 days since Anna Leigh Waters lost a PPA singles match, falling to Salome Davidze in the semifinals at the 2024 Texas Open.
The PPA Tour doesn’t pick back up again until August, which means her undefeated streak will span well over two years when she returns to action.
Allow us to put this into a little perspective for you.
124 — Matches Anna Leigh has won in a row
25 — Gold medals she’s won since losing in Texas
6 — Games Waters has lost during her undefeated streak
28 — Games Waters pickled her opponents
1,631 — Consecutive days ALW has been the #1 ranked women's singles player on the PPA Tour
Few professional athletes have operated in such rarefied air for so long.
The names Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova (tennis), Magnus Carlsen (chess), Esther Vergeer (wheelchair tennis), Tiger Woods (golf), Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf (tennis), and Jahangir Khan (squash) all come to mind.
But Anna Leigh is just 19 years old, not even in the prime of her career. And judging by her insatiable will to win, she’s just getting started.
➡️ Take a closer look at her generational career dominance so far, by the numbers.
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First Impressions: The New Selkirk Omni
Selkirk changed the pickleball paddle landscape forever with the launch of the Boomstik in August 2025. Its full-foam core and innovative integrated MOI Tuning System translated into a paddle that hit like a freight train while still boasting a massive sweet spot.
It was an instant hit, spreading like wildfire across rec courts the world over. And its popularity has endured: Go play in any facility across the U.S. and you're guaranteed to see (and hear) at least a few.
It's a marvel of paddle innovation and engineering, without a doubt. But for all its obvious upsides, there is one undeniable drawback: For some, it's just too much of a good thing.
Today, Selkirk launched the next iteration in its modern paddle lineup: the Omni.
The Omni retails for $300 and becomes Selkirk's marquee all-court offering, joining the brand's main line alongside the LUXX (control) and Boomstik (power).
The major innovation here is adjustable MOI weights.
Unlike the Boomstik, where they're fixed in place, Omni's weights easily pop on and off, allowing you to move them down for max control, all the way up for max power, or keep them centered for a balance of the two.
After a few sessions with the Omni on court, here are my initial impressions:
It still sounds like a Boomstik! That deep, deafening thud, even on the softest of dinks, is just so darn satisfying
Adjusting the MOI weights is simple: pop it off from a corner and snap it back on where you want it – there are even little notch marks on the paddle face to guide you to the right spot
The color scheme is a refreshing departure from Selkirk's signature black, red, and white
I think it's fair to call this an all-court paddle when compared to the Boomstik, but the Omni is still a very lively paddle – lots of pop off the face and power on full swings when you need it
It's still a head-turner – between the MOI weights, the new colors while retaining the brand's signature, massive "S" logo, and the unmistakable thonk of the ball on contact, you'll get looks and questions for sure
We’ve rounded up all the specs and details, plus photos and what other reviewers are saying, below.
Headlines & Quick Hits
5 Obscure Pickleball Rules You’re Probably Breaking
Where to Aim Every Shot to Win More Games
A Day in the Life of an APP Pro
Highlights
Ben Johns, take a bow
The wall remains undefeated
The St. Louis Shock have a swear jar
Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered
A review from the Dink Fam...
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