Ace Pickleball Club Q1 2026 Paddle Demo Program
The right paddle can unlock a whole new level of confidence on court. That is why Ace Pickleball Club refreshes our Paddle Demo Program every quarter, so you can test today’s hottest paddles during real games before you buy. From January through March 2026, stop by your local Club and take this quarter’s lineup for a spin.
How the Demo Program Works
A new lineup each quarter
We rotate in a curated mix of paddles from top brands so you can compare shapes, cores, and feel side by side. For Q1 2026, we are featuring RPM, CRBN, Thompson, Friday, and Engage.
Free for APC Members
Members can demo paddles at no cost. Visit the Check-In desk, and a Team Member will help you check one out. To keep demos available for everyone, we may hold a collateral item, such as your keys or driver’s license, until the paddle is returned.
Not an APC Member?
Guests can participate for a $5.00 demo fee. It is an easy way to try premium paddles and get a feel for the APC experience.
Exclusive Purchase Discounts
If you find your match, APC Members can request a Club-specific discount code at Check-In when you are ready to purchase.
Quarter 1 2026 Featured Paddles
RPM Pickleball
Friction Pro 16mm Elongated
Thickness: 16mm
Material: Carbon Fiber Surface
Handle Length: 5.5 inches
Best For: Intermediate/Advanced - Power, speed, increased stability
The RPM Friction Pro paddles deliver effortless power, fast hands, and high spin using RPM LABS CarbonBite Surface, DwellZone Sweet-Spot, and Tri-Density Core technologies. The elongated shape adds reach and pop for drives, volleys, and singles play, while the thicker 16mm core boosts stability and shock absorption. Built for aggressive players who want elite power without sacrificing control.
Friction Pro 14mm Elongated
Thickness: 14mm
Material: Carbon Fiber Surface
Handle Length: 5.5 inches
Best For: Intermediate/Advanced - Spin, power, large sweet spot
The RPM Friction Pro 14mm Elongated is built for advanced players who want heavy spin, big power, and a huge sweet spot. Its elongated profile boosts reach and drive potential, while the thinner 14mm core adds faster rebound and quicker maneuverability. Ideal for aggressive play that values pop and speed.
RPM Pickleball is a performance-focused pickleball equipment company founded to push paddle innovation through cutting-edge materials, science-driven design, and pro-level testing. It is led by co-founders James Ignatowich (CEO and lead engineer) and Marwan Abaza (President and Head of R&D), blending elite competition insight with data-driven engineering to give players a real on-court edge.
CRBN Pickleball
TruFoam Genesis
Thickness: 14mm
Core Material: 100% Foam
Face: Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
Best For: Intermediate - 100% foam, control, & power
The CRBN TruFoam Genesis is an elongated, 14mm Gen 4 paddle built around a 100% foam TruFoam core and a Toray T700 raw carbon fiber face reinforced with fiberglass. It is tuned for balanced, controllable power with high spin and extra dwell time, and it is designed to stay consistent with no break-in period.
TruFoam Waves
Thickness: 14mm
Core Material: 100% Foam
Face: Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
Best For: Intermediate/Advanced - Genesis + maximum power, & explosive force
CRBN TruFoam Waves is the next evolution of CRBN’s 100% TruFoam technology, built with a new core design engineered for maximum legal power. It delivers explosive pop while keeping the control, dwell time, and spin that define the TruFoam family, making it a strong fit for aggressive players who still want touch.
CRBN Pickleball was founded by Garrett Gosselin after he discovered pickleball in 2020 and started building carbon fiber paddle prototypes to match the performance he wanted for tournament play. What began as a personal project quickly grew when other players started requesting the paddles, leading CRBN to expand into a full brand focused on continuous innovation and high-performing gear. Today, the company designs and builds prototypes in its Southern California machine shop with dedicated customer service and R&D teams.
Thompson Pickleball
Model 515 Twill
Thickness: 14.25mm
Core Material: Urethane Sidewall + American Made PP Honeycomb + Vertical Carbon Fiber
Face: Raw Toray Twill + Unidirectional T1100 Carbon Fiber Backing
Best For: Intermediate/Advanced - High spin, smoother feedback, control, consistency
The Thompson Model 515 Twill is a 14.25mm, 16.4" x 7.5" paddle built for feel, control, and high spin, with a raw Toray Twill carbon face and peel ply grit for heavy ball shape. Its patent-pending TrueFeel sidewall design creates a large usable sweet spot and a vibration-dampened response, while keeping a midweight 8.4 oz build that swings lighter.
Model 515 Uni
Thickness: 14.25mm
Core Material: Urethane Sidewall + American Made PP Honeycomb + Vertical Carbon Fiber
Face: Raw Toray T1100 Carbon Fiber
Best For: Intermediate/Advanced - Slightly faster & more pop
The Thompson Model 515 Uni is designed for crisp feel, fast hands, and locked-in control, using a raw Toray T1100 carbon fiber face for high spin and quick feedback. Its TrueFeel sidewall technology creates a large sweet spot with vibration-dampened response, while the paddle stays responsive and poppy for counterattacks and hand battles.
Thompson Pickleball is a USA-made paddle company founded in 2023 by Bill Gitre and mechanical engineer Jeff Thompson, with a focus on designing and manufacturing high-performance paddles in Northern Michigan. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship, limited-quantity builds, and its integrated TrueFeel sidewall technology to deliver a premium on-court feel for discerning players.
Friday Pickleball
Gen 3 Fever
Thickness: 16mm
Core Material: 8mm PP Honeycomb Core
Face: Triple Layer T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
Best For: Beginner/Intermediate - Spin & control
The Friday Fever is a Gen 3, 16mm elongated paddle built with a triple-layer T700 raw carbon fiber face for gritty spin and longer dwell time. Dual-edge foam and a floating 8mm PP honeycomb core add controllable pop, stability, and a forgiving feel, plus durability upgrades designed to help prevent core crushing.
Friday Pickleball began when two separate friend groups independently created “Friday” pickleball brands, one building paddles in Brooklyn and the other making pickleball content in Kansas City. They teamed up to deliver premium performance gear at more affordable prices while also creating fun, community-driven videos and content as The Friday Guys.
Engage Pickleball
Alpha Pro
Thickness: 14mm & 16mm
Core Material: DrivePro Polymer Core
Face: Raw Carbon Fiber Skin
Best For: Advanced - Explosive power, spin, max dwell time, responsive feel
Engage’s Alpha Pro is a thermoformed, next-gen power paddle built for explosive power, high spin, and maximum dwell time using its Power Zone Technology. A DrivePro polymer core paired with a raw carbon fiber skin helps extend ball contact for easier spin and controlled pace, while the unibody construction and edge foam barrier add stability and reduce vibration. Available in 14mm or 16mm, depending on the feel you want.
Alpha
Thickness: 14mm & 16mm
Core Material: TrueStrike Polymer Core
Face: Friction Fiber Carbon Skin
Best For: Advanced - Control, spin, power
Engage’s new Alpha is a thermoformed performance paddle built for control and spin, while still delivering plenty of power for consistent placement. It pairs a Friction Fiber Carbon Skin for long-lasting grit with a TrueStrike Polymer Core for a responsive feel, then reinforces it with a thermoformed unibody build for added stability and durability. Available in 14mm and 16mm.
ProFoam
Thickness: 14mm
Core Material: 100% High-Density Foam Core
Face: Raw Carbon Fiber Skin
Best For: Advanced - All foam, no honeycomb; explosive power, consistency, spin
Engage’s ProFoam is an all-foam thermoformed paddle that replaces the traditional polymer honeycomb with a high-density ProFoam core for explosive power, consistent response, and spin-loading dwell time. With a raw carbon fiber skin and unibody construction, it is built to avoid core crush and dead spots so the feel and pop stay the same over time.
Pursuit Pro1 Innovation
Thickness: 15.2mm
Core Material: New Power Flex Polymer
Face: Raw Carbon Fiber with Next-Gen Inner Layer
Best For: Advanced - Power, spin, and precision control
The Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 15.2mm is built for a blend of power, heavy spin, and precision control, featuring SpinCore Technology for torque-balanced acceleration and a more stable, forgiving sweet spot. It pairs a raw carbon fiber face with a Power Flex Polymer core, plus Vortex Barrier Edge Technology to improve stability and reduce vibration.
Pursuit Pro1 Elongated
Thickness: 15.2mm
Core Material: MachPro Polymer Core
Face: Raw Carbon Fiber with Next Generation Inner Application Layer
Best For: Advanced - Maximum speed & power; enhanced spin and control
The Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2 Power Series pairs a 15.2mm MachPro polymer core with a raw carbon fiber face to deliver maximum power with extended ball hold for added spin and control. Its redesigned, more aerodynamic, elongated shape boosts swing speed and forgiveness, while Variable Release 2.0 adds extra flex as you swing faster for even more pop and spin.
Engage Pickleball is a US-based sporting goods manufacturer focused on designing high-quality pickleball gear and apparel that helps players perform and enjoy the game more. The company emphasizes an in-house, applied-physics approach to product innovation with frequent R&D cycles, backed by a money-back guarantee, strong warranty coverage, and customer-first service. It also supports community outreach by donating a portion of annual sales to meaningful causes.
Why Demo a Paddle at APC?
Play Test in Real Games
Demos let you feel the difference in resets, dinks, counters, and drives, not just a few warmup hits.
Member Perks That Add Value
Members get free demos and access to exclusive purchase discounts.
Stay Current with Paddle Technology
Every quarter brings new shapes, cores, and faces worth trying, especially if your game is evolving.
How to Get Started
Head to the Check-In Desk at your local Ace Pickleball Club and ask about the Q1 2026 Paddle Demo Program. We will help you choose a paddle to try and share any Club-specific details. Find an Ace Pickleball Club near you.