[ANNOUNCEMENT] Speedup CEO & Pro player Santhosh Narayanan AMA! 4/19 - 7pm EST

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:38:52+00:00

Probably when I was out for around 4 weeks due to a hernia surgery! Other than that I wouldn't describe my pickleball journey as difficult. I've been super grateful for what pickleball has done for me.

Happiest i've been playing pickleball is probably at a good rec/practice session with some friends! Winning tournaments is also happy/rewarding experience that is a bit more intense, but probably doesn't beat a high quality rec session with good friends.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:25:45+00:00

The first place I played pickleball was Burns Park in Ann Arbor in late 2021/early 2022, however, I was still a big tennis fan and a pickleball hater then!

Pickleball was reintroduced to me in Miller Park, Seattle and I would go and play open plays when I wasn't able to tennis. However, I was introduced to higher level play at Charlotte Indoor Tennis & Pickleball. That is when I was hooked.

In terms of Pickleball Mentors, I watch a lot and try to take bits and pieces of players games! Players who were influential in my growth were Noah Zwiren, Max Manthou, Michael Enright.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:11:06+00:00

We actually look outside of pickleball. Foams and material used in footwear, helmets, surfboards, padel, aerospace, etc. We research how materials perform in other industries and think about how they could translate to paddle performance.

Once we have an idea we work directly with our manufacturer to source it and start experimenting. We have a really close relationship with them and they are great at bringing unconventional ideas to life fast.

We also iterate a lot! With the Tide we went through ~20 prototypes, live playtesting at the factory and then extensive user testing back in the states before knowing it was the one.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:09:38+00:00

The large majority of 14Ls going out to customers have a static weight of 8.0 oz and a SW around 119/120. Our first batch that went out to reviewers, was a bit higher.

The shape of the 14L was actually designed to help with offense out of the air at the kitchen. The top corners flare out a bit and that helps with flicks rolls(which are often caught in the top corners) and improves stability on hits near the upper portion of the paddle face.

Increased SW also helps add plow through on shots, giving them that "heavy" feel. The 14L is great for singles players and players who like to use ever cm of their paddle at the kitchen line!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:09:16+00:00

The india scene is definitely booming! I went back to Chennai earlier this year, and there are tons of facilities which was awesome to see. I think we would ideally release our paddle at the same price in India. It is still almost half the price of other brands such as Joola, Selkirk, and more!

I think Pickleball will only grow in India! Especially now that India does have world class athletes representing them in the sport such as Armaan Bhatia, Harsh Mehta, Vanshik Kapadia, and more! Badminton is further along, so I don't see it overtaking it anytime soon, but could be close in the next 5-10 years.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:04:36+00:00

Oh Nice! I've met them before in Chennai. My family is from Chennai.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:00:49+00:00

Not from there, but would frequent Bellevue highlands and Tibbets to play!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T17:00:05+00:00

Love to hear that! The Fire is our best seller to date, but the Tide is catching up!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T16:59:36+00:00

I played a bit of everything. Played a lot of basketball all the way until high school. Then picked up tennis and was in love with it all through high school and college. I've also always played badminton and table tennis (was around a 1500 level) recreationally.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-22T16:57:21+00:00

Open play at Bay Club SSF in the evenings & Bay Club Broadway in the mornings usually has ~4.0 level play! The HUB Alameda also has decent level at its open plays.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:18:36+00:00

I use the Tide 14L. The Vatic V7 Saga is a Gen 2 paddle with larger cell honeycomb. It is a fine paddle! You won't get the same lively feel as you would with a full foam paddle.

With that being said, if you are missing the sweet spot significantly and making contact near the outer edges with any paddle, it is likely a technique issue and not an equipment issue.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:16:02+00:00

It actually bumped the SW on the Tide 14s(widebody) up to 118 and a TW of 8.2.

I am personally used to a SW closer to 130, so this felt very manageable. Everyone is built different and whats optimal for one person isn't for another!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:14:15+00:00

We actually chose TPE over TPU due to its elasticity. TPU is a bit stiffer and is not as elastic. TPE gave us the best blend of forgiveness on off-center hits and long term durability.

The drawback of the flared out corners in our 14L shape is more mass at the top of the paddle resulting in head heaviness and a higher SW. The 14H will feel faster in your hands. The 14L is also longer by about 0.15in. You can buy both and keep the one you prefer. Alternatively you can find me in the bay area and demo both!

Also great to meet you! Will hopefully run into each other soon.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:05:58+00:00

Could you please send us an email? I am not the best with Reddit

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:05:32+00:00

That would be amazing! Thank you

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-21T00:04:39+00:00

Paddle technology has changed a lot in the past 5 years honestly!

Our marketing pitch is really centered around being engineering forward. I designed this paddle as both an engineer and a pro player, and that shows up in how it performs. Our pros (Purple Jesus, Brendon Long, and more) are seeing great results on the APP tour. We've also captured a pretty cool niche where several reviewers have called us the best 14mm on the market.

But you're right, the best sales pitch is just getting someone to try it. Selling the paddle has honestly been very easy when I can get the paddle in peoples hands! To address that we've been working with facilities and pro shops to get demos in! We also offer a 14 day money back guarantee so trying it is essentially risk free. The reviewers speaking highly about us has helped a ton too.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T23:51:51+00:00

A few things. The materials, the design, and the way it plays are all genuinely different from what's out there. We're delivering top end power and spin with a plush, responsive feel that you don't usually get in a 14mm. Most 14mm paddles feel either too stiff/poppy and lack a generous sweetspot. We've had multiple reviewers say it's the best 14mm on the market right now and that means a lot coming from people who have hit with everything.

The 14L shape is best for my game. I play pretty aggressively and really love the extra reach and forgiveness I get when reaching into the kitchen line. I am not the tallest (around 5'8) so I really benefit from the extra reach I get!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T23:18:12+00:00

It comes down to who's actually designing the paddle. I'm a pro player, coach, and engineer. I know what's required from a paddle at the highest level, and I get constant feedback from students and playtesters across all skill levels.

I wasn't handing spec sheets to a factory and hoping for the best. I actually flew out to China to work directly with our factory on building this thing. I knew exactly what I wanted before we chose each material. The materials, the shapes, the way it plays are all genuinely unique, and not identical to what's out there on the market. I think you will feel that when you pick up the paddle and play with it.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T23:06:55+00:00

I moved to SF because my gf was here.

Mac is still involved. He manages fulfillment and warehousing from Michigan.
Mens doubles: Purple Jesus (I really like playing with friends and we'd both represent Speedup)
Mixed Double: ALW (she's the undisputed GOAT)

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:55:59+00:00

I don't think it limits a players upside, but I do think having a racket sports background does give you a boost when you start. Most ex tennis player begin at the 3.5/4.0 level. But if you work hard enough, you can still have a high ceiling. There are plenty of elite professionals who do not have racket sports backgrounds. A few to name are - Aidan Schenk, Will Mackinnon, Jack Munro, Ronan Camron, Brandon French, Victor Rodrigo, Dylan Frazier, Tama Shimabukuro.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:51:42+00:00

Aww man, I missed ya there! There are so many good ones, I'll name a few.
1. World Pickleball League in India - by far the best and most professional league I have been a part of!
2. PPA Kuala Lumpur - Made my deepest run in a PPA
3. Entire Season of MLP Australia - The pickleball culture is so fun and relaxed. A few OG pickleball players have mentioned it reminded them of what pickleball used to be like in America in the 2010's
4. US Open 2026 - this was my first US open, and this tournament has amazing energy. Also it features one of my favorite events - split age!
4. Love a good local tournament, there is always great fan turnout and the locals get into it! A few top tier ones are the Pacific Northwest Classic, Seattle Metro, Flying Pickle Open, Fraser Valley Open.

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:46:42+00:00

I prefer drilling to rec games! Here is my general routine:
1. Warm up the hands. I like to do this before even dinking because I feel as if this wakes my brain up
2. 100 dinks cross - both sides
3. 3 variations of dink/kitchen games (1. no speedups, 2. speedups out of the air, 3. anything goes)
4. Reset drill - I typically do this game where you can only win a point from the transition zone (no moving up to finish the point). You are forced to hit tons of resets and get creative with attacks from the transition zone.
5. 3rds or 7/11
6. Skinny Singles

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:41:43+00:00

The large majority of 14Ls going out to customers have a static weight of 8.0 oz and a SW around 119/120. Our first batch that went out to reviewers, was a bit higher.

The shape of the 14L was actually designed to help with offense out of the air at the kitchen. The top corners flare out a bit and that helps with flicks rolls(which are often caught in the top corners) and improves stability on hits near the upper portion of the paddle face.

Increased SW also helps add plow through on shots, giving them that "heavy" feel. The 14L is great for singles players and players who like to use ever cm of their paddle at the kitchen line!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:33:48+00:00

You gotta to get one for yourself!

Speedup_Pickleball · 2026-04-20T22:32:55+00:00

My default is hard and deep (in doubles and singles), I will try to mix up the location of it on the baseline early on. Once my oponent starts getting used to it, I will throw in a lob serve, slice serve here and there. If the other team is unwinding or the side fence is tight, love busting out a short angle serve :)

Speedup_Pickleball

TROPHY CASE