JOOLA GEN3 Pickleball Paddles BANNED

by Pickleball Superstore™ June 05, 2024

Yes, it’s true these recently launched paddles (9 of them in total) are not longer on the USA Pickleball Approved list. Meaning, you are not allowed to use these paddles in tournaments. The Pickleball Superstore team has also just heard that some of these paddles are being banned from use a some pickleball clubs. Please check with your clubs to inquire about their stance.

If you are a recreational player who plays at the park or a local friend’s court, you can use these pickleball paddles still on those pickleball courts. This is mainly related to sanctioned tournaments, but please know, these paddles do have the USAP Approved branding on them, which they are currently delisted. Read more for the official statements from JOOLA Pickleball and USA Pickleball.

OFFICIAL JOOLA PICKLEBALL GEN3 PICKLEBALL PADDLE STATEMENT AS OF JUNE 5, 2024

"We were extremely disappointed to learn of USA Pickleball’s (USAP) decision to remove JOOLA’s Gen3 paddles from the Approved Paddles list. JOOLA has worked for weeks to come to a mutually agreeable resolution with USAP and views this decision as unfortunate for the sport of pickleball.

While we are confident the current Gen3 paddles are materially and structurally the same as those approved by USAP in September 2023 and therefore comply with USAP standards, we care deeply about our customers and the inconvenience and confusion the USAP decision has caused. To demonstrate our commitment, we are offering full refunds for customers who purchased any Gen3 paddles between April 16 and June 15, 2024. For customers who purchased from our retail and e-commerce partners during that same timeframe, we are facilitating a process for refunds through them.

While JOOLA’s primary focus is responding to our customers on this issue, we also have a responsibility to advocate for the sport. Pickleball players value access to technology-forward, next-generation paddles designed within USAP standards, and JOOLA’s reputation for innovation is represented by more than 40 approved paddles currently on the market.

We plan to dispute USAP’s decision to remove Gen3 paddles from the list, and the process employed to do so, in forthcoming legal proceedings.

We thank our community for its ongoing support as we continue to advocate for our people, products, and the sport of pickleball.

OFFICIAL USA PICKLEBALL STATEMENT AS OF JUNE 4, 2024

USA Pickleball recently de-listed certain paddles after JOOLA notified USA Pickleball that it had previously submitted the wrong paddles for certification (see USA Pickleball statement posted on May 16). JOOLA also informed USA Pickleball that it intended to submit additional paddles for certification.

USA Pickleball received and tested the newly submitted paddles, which did not meet our approved equipment standards. As a result, these paddles have not been added to the USA Pickleball approved equipment list.

As pickleball’s governing body in the United States, USA Pickleball takes its certifications, rules and regulations seriously to ensure integrity and fairness for all players.

USA Pickleball utilizes a third-party testing facility that holds approved equipment to an extremely rigorous process and the highest testing standards and will evaluate those submissions for compliance with USA Pickleball’s equipment standards. For a full list of affected and approved paddles, visit www.equipment.usapickleball.org.

OFFICIAL JOOLA STATEMENT AS OF MAY 16, 2024

On May 15, 2024, JOOLA was informed by USA Pickleball (USAP) of their decision to remove the Gen3 paddles from the Approved Paddle list. After a review of USAP’s preliminary findings last week, we believe USAP’s decision to remove the Gen3 paddles from the approved list was based on an administrative error by JOOLA in November 2023 as part of USAP’s similarity testing protocols. JOOLA was only able to confirm the precise issue last week and responded immediately to quickly resolve the matter.

The JOOLA Gen3 paddles on the market are materially the same as the models approved by USAP in the September 2023 paddle submission process and we are confident that they are fully compliant with USAP’s standards.

Since entering the pickleball community in 2022, JOOLA has consistently and successfully worked within the USAP standards and process to approve over 40 paddles currently being used around the world.

USAP has not provided a timeline of when the process will be completed, however we are committed to working with USAP to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We will continue to inform you as new information becomes available and regret any inconvenience.

OFFICIAL USA PICKLEBALL STATEMENT AS OF MAY 16, 2024

To our valued USA Pickleball community --

As pickleball’s governing body in the United States, USA Pickleball takes its certifications, rules and regulations seriously to ensure integrity and fairness for all players.

On May 14 and 15, JOOLA informed USA Pickleball that JOOLA submitted the wrong paddles for certification in November 2023. As a result, USA Pickleball promptly de-listed the affected paddles from its Approved Paddle list. Paddles that do not appear on USA Pickleball’s Approved Paddle list are not certified for use in USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments.

Since de-listing, JOOLA has informed USA Pickleball that it intends to submit additional paddles to USA Pickleball for certification. USA Pickleball utilizes a third-party testing facility that holds approved equipment to an extremely rigorous process and the highest testing standards and will evaluate those submissions for compliance with USA Pickleball’s equipment standards.

USA Pickleball will continue to evaluate paddles in the market in order to ensure our existing set of standards are being met. For a full list of approved paddles, visit www.equipment.usapickleball.org.

Here are some resources to learn more about the ban:

Why Did JOOLA Gen 3 Paddles Get Banned?

At this time, the GEN3 pickleball paddles from JOOLA have been de-certified and removed from the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle list. So, this only impacts USA Pickleball-sanctioned events. Recently, JOOLA submitted new paddles for testing with hopes of having the second batch pass USA Pickleball’s standards, which did not happen, and the Gen 3 paddles have officially been removed from the list of approved paddles.

JOOLA GEN3 Pickleball Paddle Alternatives

JOOLA Perseus 16mm or 14mm Pickleball Paddle

JOOLA Scorpeus 16mm or 14mm Pickleball Paddle

Engage Pursuit PRO Pickleball Paddles

PROXR Pickleball Paddles