PADDLETEK IS DRIVING ME CRAZY

PADDLETEK IS DRIVING ME CRAZY, THEY JUST INTRODUCED THEIR NEW LIMITED EDITION US OPEN TEMPEST PRO, AND I WANT ONE.

Most of you know that I am a "paddle nut."  After 3 years of playing pickleball most every day, and purchasing 14 different paddles, my all time favorite paddle is the Paddletek Tempest Wave, weighing 8.3 ounces with a 4.0" circumference grip..

I now own 8 of these great ball bangers.  Why do I need 8, you say?  I add weight (perfectly legal Rule 2.E.4) one tenth of an ounce at a time (2.834 grams).  . . . mainly to experiment with, and because I know how to do it. 

My eccentricity when experimenting with paddle weight has lead (NPI) to the conclusion that [for me] some paddle  weights play better in  the back courts, and other paddle weights play better up at the NVZ.

Some paddle weights perform better outdoors on hard synthetic surface courts with outdoor balls, other weights are ideal for the indoor wood gym floors, and still other weights perform best on tiled indoor floors.

Believe it or not the outdoor environment wind, humidity, heat and cold can affect the performance of a paddle, and require a heavier or lighter weight paddle. 

In comparison, one tenth of an “Avoirdupois Ounce” weighs approximately 2.834 grams.  This weight is equivalent to 2 average size paper clips. 2 raisins or 2 thumbtacks. 

The average Paddletek Tempest Wave Paddle weighs between 7.7 and 7.9 ounces before alterations.  I weigh the paddle and measure the grip circumference, before I make and alterations. My all time best performance weight for this paddle is exactly 8.3 ounces, with a 4.0" circumference grip.

The first thing I do with a new Tempest Wave Paddle is to lighten the paddle by changing the grip wrap and removing the butt cap. I prefer the Tourna Slim 1.25mm perforated grip wrap. This wrap reduces overall paddle weight by two to three tenths of an ounce.  It also reduces grip circumference from 4.4" to 4.0".  I prefer the smaller grip circumference because it feels more comfortable and I can maintain a looser grip and still control the paddle.

I wrap the handle from bottom to top in a swirling counter clockwise direction, starting from the very end where the butt cap use to be.  I over wrap each swirl no more than 1/16".  I want as little wrapping as possible to conserve weight and provide me maximum feel of the ball contacting the paddle face.

The elimination of the butt cap allow me to extend the paddle an extra inch or two in reach.  Then I weigh the paddle upon completion.

I use the lead tennis racquet or gulf club weighted lead tape with a sticky side.  I like to run the tape around the entire outer portion of the edge guard, approximately 31".  This adds approximately 2.5.

Majority of the time the finish weight is on or near 8.3 ounces. I can add more weight using the tennis racquet "H" shaped lead strips approximately 1 gram. I place them on the side center edge of the protector and top center of the protector. Once I achieve the desired weight,

I cover the flashy lead tape around the edge guard with 1/2" racquet finishing tape.  I also cover the butt end of the handle with a small piece of finishing tape. The elimination of the butt cap will also reduce the weight.

So what does all this have to do with Paddletek's newly introduced LIMITED EDITION US OPEN TEMPEST PRO . . . NOTHING . . . I just want one.