The UPA-A is cracking down on models that are grittier than testing standards allow. Brands whose paddles fail will face escalating fines and other penalties. Repeat offenders could be removed from the Approved Paddle List entirely.
Since new regulations went into effect on September 1 of this year, all paddles used at the professional level are held to a higher performance standard for power and spin.
And yet, nearly two months later, some models wielded by pros are failing on-site testing, producing more spin than they're allowed by the new letter of the law.
The result: They're promptly removed from play. If the problem persists, says a new edict released by the United Pickleball Association of America, fines approaching $50,000 could be next.
💡
Love pickleball? Then you'll love our email newsletter . We send the latest news, tips, and highlights for free each week.
So paddles passed testing, now they're failing? For a paddle to be used at PPA or MLP events, it must appear on the UPA Certified Paddle List . Full stop. No exceptions.
This means it's gone through the UPA-A's new testing protocols and been assigned a unique model number , an alphanumeric code between three and 10 characters used throughout the certification and compliance ecosystem, allowing the lab to track, verify, and enforce standards more efficiently.
It also allows for more seamless on-site testing at events.
Red Light, Green Light: Pro-Level Paddle Testing Is Coming to Amateur Pickleball To... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/pro-paddles-are-still-failing-onsite-testing-repeat-offenders-could-face-50k-fines/
