Roots: Limited Edition Signature Paddle Pre-Order (Only 1000 will be made!)

• Carefully hand-crafted from 9 layers of bamboo and a lightweight, end-grain balsa wood core.
• Customized for you with your signature (or other special message)
• Exclusive limited run of just 1000 paddles, available only through March!
• Handmade in the USA
• USA PIckleball Approval Pending.
• Pre-order now for a late-spring delivery date.

2024 marks 10 years in paddle development and manufacturing for us at Players Pickleball and we wanted to create something extra special to commemorate that milestone. What we came up with is the Roots Paddle.

It's a paddle that harkens back to the early days of pickleball, when paddles were simply cut out from sheets of plywood. They were heavy and loud, and lacked all of the nuanced performance we've come to expect from a modern paddle.

Roots is something completely different. Made from 9 layers of bamboo and a lightweight end-grain balsa wood core, it's the perfect blend of modern performance, vintage style, and natural materials!

We wanted these paddles to be extra special, not just another item off the shelf. To that end, we're offering custom laser engraving on each and every one of these 1000 paddles. It can be your signature, a favorite quote, a special message, whatever you come up with. It will be laser-engraved during the production process to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the paddle's design.

The Roots paddle isn't the heavy plywood paddle that one person in your group still insists on playing with (no shame if that's you!)--it's carefully crafted using a blend of modern machinery and good ol' hand craftsmanship. The 3-layer bamboo frame and end-grain balsa core are CNC machined to precise tolerances before being hand-glued and pressed with the additional 3-layer bamboo skins on each side. The bamboo butt cap is even attached with a dovetail joint! The entire paddle is carefully hand-sanded, laser-engraved, then polished using a beeswax-based conditioner that allows the durable and beautiful bamboo be the star of the show.  The exposed bamboo grain around the paddle's perimeter provides contrast, additional beauty, and a hint of the complex structure within. 

Due to the natural materials used, each paddle is completely unique, with variations in grain & color throughout. It's not just beautiful, it's also playable! At around 8.7oz it's an upper-midweight/lower-upperweight, but the head-light nature makes it feel nimble in your hands. The bamboo/balsa/bamboo combo gives for a lively feel with plenty of pop but a surprising amount of control and impressive consistency across the face. The natural textured grain of the bamboo hitting surface offers enough grip to put good spin on the ball. Is it the highest-performing paddle on the market? Probably not, but it does inspire confidence and is a great all-arounder. We truly feel we've struck something special with this paddle. It's unique and beautiful while still being an excellent performer--and a playable piece of art!

From the moment we conceptualized this paddle, we knew it would be an exclusive piece. It's hard to mass produce something and have it keep that special feeling. For that reason, we are limiting it to just 1000 pieces. Yes, just 1000 pieces. Each one customized specifically for you. They will be unique and very rare, the sort of paddle you'll want to put on a shelf but can still bring out for special occasions and feel confident on the court! 

We are the first to admit that this paddle isn't for everyone. Use the handy guide below to find out if it's the right paddle for you:

If the statements below sound like you, the Roots paddle definitely IS for you:

• I understand that when I use things, they wear out over time. 
• I understand that this paddle is a unique, one-of-a-kind, playable piece of art and I will treat it with care.
• In life (and pickleball), I enjoy things that are outside of the ordinary, things that feel special, things that stand out from the crowd, and I especially appreciate things that are hand made of natural materials.
• I know that if I use something regularly, it will show wear over time, and that I accept that inevitability.
• I understand that striking my paddle repeatedly against the ground over time or abuse in other ways, I will damage it, so I will do my best to avoid doing that.
• I won't expect Players Pickleball to replace this paddle if I damage it or wear it out because I understand I bought a piece of playable art, customized just for me and that it is a limited run item that won't ever be remade!

• "I expect my paddle to be replaced by the company I bought it from, no questions asked, free of charge, even after I damage it and wear it out."
• "I plan to use this paddle daily as my primary paddle and demand the ultimate in performance. I often strike the ground with my paddle and when my paddles wear out, I expect free replacements."
• "I am very competitive and want to win every match at all costs. I will damage my [Roots] paddle (and body) if it means I will win the point. If damage happens, it's not my fault, that's the paddle's fault!

Roots Paddle Care

Please keep in mind that this is a limited run, collectible piece of playable art. To make your custom Roots paddle last, please take good care of it. This means:

• Avoid Ground Strikes! As with any paddle, this is the fastest path to their demise. The bamboo materials are very strong, but like any paddle, not invincible!
• Avoid hitting anything other than a pickleball. Paddle taps after a point are lovely, but over time, they take their toll on the materials of any paddle.
• Don't scrape the paddle on the ground. If you want to roll pickleballs around the court, just give give 'em a nudge with your toe, not your paddle.
• Cleaning: Use a dry terry cloth to remove dirt & grime.
• Re-conditioning: Use a butcher-block conditioner periodically to treat the bamboo surfaces. (We use a beeswax-based version specifically for bamboo!) Be sure to remove any residue before playing to avoid transferring oils to the ball and your opponents' paddles!
• Nicks & scratches: As with any paddle, these will occur. Bamboo is naturally a very hard material, but not invincible. Expect to see some wear and tear with use, but minimize it by cleaning pickleballs regularly and inspecting them for imbedded debris.
• Store the paddle in a dry place at room temperature.
• If the paddle gets wet, dry it immediately. Don't panic. Just dry it.
• Ultimately, we recommend treating this paddle as the collectible it is, saving it for play in special matches where the goal is more about enjoying the experience than winning at all costs. Remember, it is a unique piece of art!

This is a Pre-Order Purchase! Read Carefully!

USA Pickleball Approval Pending

Free Cutting Board Included!

Yes, you read that correctly, and no, we're not crazy. During the production process for the Roots paddle, we cut out the center portion of the paddle shape to create the bamboo frame. We then cut the butt cap out from that piece. What remains is "scrap". Rather than have that go to waste, it made WAY more sense to us to turn it into something usable, and what better choice than a small cutting board for some post-match snacks!

Grip Options

If you prefer keeping with the natural materials of the paddle, go with the leather or the cotton options. If you'd rather stick with something more contemporary, we have both brown and black simulated leather polyurethane options available (the same that we use on our Rogue2 paddles).

Technical Specifications