The AMPED Family of High Performance Pickleball Paddles
Power + Control…the two most desired characteristics in a paddle.
Previously, Pickleball paddle manufacturers had to design paddles that either had power or control, not both. By focusing on one aspect, they had to sacrifice the other.
Selkirk didn’t want to compromise. The AMPED series was engineered to amplify both aspects without compromising! It is the ultimate combination of power and control. The AMPED series pioneers an entirely new technology in the Pickleball industry with its FiberFlex Fiberglass face and patent pending thicker X5 polypropylene core. The revolutionary thicker paddle core provides an unparalleled degree of power and control along with many other performance benefits, like:
Torque suppression – no more twisting, giving your more feel and control
Neutralizing ball differences – no more switching paddles between indoor and outdoor balls!
Vibration dampening
Improved sound
Larger sweet spot
More spin potential
Unbelievably well-balanced
The AMPED family of paddles comes in a variety of sizes and two different categories of weight. The lightweight paddles are popular with racquetball, table tennis, or squash players, and is recommended for beginners or intermediate players with no racquet/paddle sport experience because of the increased maneuverability. The midweight options offer more power, are popular among tennis players, and is recommended for singles.
Selkirk si family-owned business in the beautiful area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, crafting all of their paddles right here in the United States. The company takes it name after the Selkirk Mountains, which can be seen right outside our facility doors.
Selkirk has dedicated themselves to crafting high-performance Pickleball paddles in the industry. We are committed to innovation and quality in both our designs and craftsmanship. Selkirk Sport first launched in 2013 when brothers Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their dad Jim Barnes and father-in-law Russell Heistuman, put their diverse skill sets together to create high-performance Pickleball paddles.
The items will be shipped via UPS, and will arrive in 3-5 business days.
Send the racquets back in the original box, using the provided pre-paid label.
How much does it cost?
The only charge to you will be the cost of shipping from and to String ’n Swing Tennis. We charge a flat rate of $15 each way for shipping for a total of $30. Demo racquets cannot be shipped outside of the contiguous United States.
Only a valid credit card can be used to pay for the shipping fee.
You may demo a maximum of two racquets at one time. If you purchase any other items along with your demo, they will be placed on a separate order if over 1 pound, which may incur additional shipping costs.
How long does it take to get the demos & how long can I keep them?
There are two factors that determine how long it takes for the racquets to arrive. First, demos may need stringing and/or gripping prior to shipping, which will take no more than two days. Second, you choose the shipping service, which ranges from overnight to standard 3-5 business days. You may keep the racquets for two weeks from the day of arrival.
How do I return the demos to String ’n Swing?
In the box, you will find a pre-paid UPS shipping label. There will be no additional cost to you when you use the provided label. Stick the label over the label on the box and simply drop it off at any UPS store (of give to a driver). You can find the nearest UPS store here.
Only the provided UPS label guarantees insurance and proper return of the demo racquets. If you choose to use a different provider, in addition to the cost, you are also responsible for providing the tracking number.
What if I forget to return them?
Our goal is to offer the opportunity to as many tennis players as we can the opportunity to try out these racquets, so we ask that you return them on time. If you are late in shipping them, we will apply a late fee of $5.00 per racquet, per day. After 7 days, and we cannot reach you, we will charge your credit card the full price of each racquet.
What tension, string, and grip size comes standard on demos?
All of our demo racquets come strung at 56 lbs with a full bed of SG Spiraltek in either grip size 2-3 (depending upon availability).
What if I demo a racquet from one of String ’n Swing’s retail stores?
For information on in-store demo programs, please visit either our Memphis or Nashville locations for details.
Tennis is personal and preferential. Each player brings a combination of skill, experience, and preferences that makes finding the right racquet a unique journey. The following guidelines are meant to be helpful, but should not replace experience. We invite you take advantage of our demo program to make sure you like how a racquet feels and you get the desired performance to match your game.
CATEGORIES
1) Power
Power racquets are designed for players with short, compact swings who need the racquet’s help to generate more power and have the ball land deeper on the court. They are also great for new players. Most power racquets have an oversized head (>107 square inches), are lightweight (8-9.5 oz), stiffer, and balanced head heavy. Power frames are the most expensive and where manufacturers tend to introduce new technology.
2) Tweener
As the name indicates, the features of ‘Tweener racquets are a blend of the other two, measuring in the middle. These are great for intermediate and advanced players, as well as juniors transitioning to an adult racquet. These are the most popular.
3) Control
Control racquets are designed with players in mind who create their own power and are looking for more control. They are typically heavier (>11.5 oz), have smaller head size (95-100 square inches), with thinner (more flexible) beams, and balanced head light (most of the weight is in the grip). If you’re not sure it’s a Control racquet, check the price tag as these are normally the least expensive because they are designed for players who don’t need all the added technology.
CHARACTERISTICS
The first step in finding the perfect racquet for your swing and game, you must first understand how it feels when you play. The following four characteristics explain how frames are made differently to enhance those characteristics in specific ways. It is important to remember that the speed and length of the players’ stoke contributes greatly to this. However, here we are specifically speaking of the frame only and consider all other factors to be equal.
Power – how deep the ball will return on the court, so we’re talking trajectory, not speed.2. 2. Maneuverability – how easy the racquet is to move or swing
Shock – this is the comfort factor, and how much impact is transferred to the wrist and arm
Spin – how the frame enhances spin on the ball (quick note: the swing – and the swing only – generates spin… not the racquet itself)
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturers create racquets with different levels of these four characteristics by making racquets with different specifications. “Specs” are what truly make every racquet unique. To effectively help you narrow down the choices of frames, you have to understand the specs of the frames and how each spec affects Power, Maneuverability, Shock, and Spin.
1. Head Size
Refers to the part of the racquet where the string is. Measured in square inches, a larger head size creates more power and has a larger sweetspot. A smaller head size provides more control and is more maneuverable.There is no industry standard on head size, but here is typical breakdown:
Midsize: 95-100 square inches Mid Plus: 100-105 square inches Oversize: 106-118 square inches Super Oversize: 119 square inches and above
2. Length
The standard length is 27 inches, but they range up to 29 inches. Transitioning to a longer racquet is smooth for many players, as they look for a little bit more reach and power. The thing to keep in mind with a longer racquet is that, to keep it maneuverable, it weighs less than the standard length version.
3. Stiffness/Flex
Most racquets score in the 45-75 on the 0-100 scale. Stiffer racquets score higher, while flexible racquets score lower. Stiffer racquets maintain power, but often that translates into more vibration in the arm. Flexible racquets offer more control and a better feel, absorbing energy from the ball at impact. The Beam/Cross Section determines the racquet’s stiffness. Measured in millimeters, thicker beams are stiffer, but add power. Thinner beams offer more flexibility and control.
4. Weight
This refers to the overall weight of the frame and is simply measured by standing or laying the frame on a scale. Most tennis frames will weigh from about 8 ounces (227 grams) to about 13 ounces (369 grams). There is no rule governing how light or heavy a racquet can be.
5. Balance
Most racquets fall in one of two categories. They are either “head light” or “head heavy.” If most of weight is in the handle, it’s “head light.” If it’s distributed in the head of the racquet, then it’s considered “head heavy.” “Even” is the third, but much less common, category, and that’s when balancing point is in the middle of the racquet. The metic is often “points” head light or heavy. Typically, head light racquets are heavier (Control and ‘Tweener), while lighter racquets are head heavy (to give more energy at impact.) It is nearly impossible to make a racquet lighter, but you can add weight, like adding a piece of lead tape in a specific place, which also alters the balance.
6. Swingweight
The most important factor as to how the racquet feels and plays in the your hand. It is a dynamic measurement of how difficult the frame is to swing. It is a combination of the weight and the balance. There is specifically designed equipment (swingweight scales) to measure this. The higher the swingweight, the more difficult it is to swing around. If you’re unsure, we recommended selecting a racquet balanced Head Light and add weight (using lead tape) to the head to get a customized feel.
7. String Pattern
They are two patterns to consider when it comes to deciding how to string your racquet. “Open” patterns offer more comfort, power, and spin potential (the extra space between strings allows the ball to embed more). Most racquets requiring an open pattern have 16 Mains (vertical) strings and 19 Crosses (horizontal) strings. “Dense” patterns offer more control and durability, and are great for hard hitters. Most racquets requiring a dense pattern follow the 18×20 formula.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
The following chart considers increasing a single specification and how that change impacts the four characteristics. Remember, it only considers the frame, so all else is to be considered equal (like swing speed), and not a change in any other specifications. It is the sum of all of the specs that make the frame unique, so this chart is to help you understand the correlation, you must first get a sense of how each spec contributes.
“+” = increase; “-“ decrease; “n” = no change
Increased Spec
Power
Maneuverability
Shock
Spin
Length
+
–
–
+
Headsize
+
–
–
+
Stiffness
+
n
+
+
Weight
+
–
–
+
Balance
+
–
–
+
SwingWeight
+
–
–
+
String Pattern
–
n
+
–
The following are “Racquet Facts,” which is another way the tennis industry talks about an increase on a single specification (Remember, you must consider all other things being equal):
Heavier frame generates more power
Heavier frame vibrates less
Heavier frame has a larger sweet spot
Stiffer frame generates more power
Stiffer frame has a larger sweet spot
Stiffer frame transmits more shock to the arm
Stiffer frame provides more uniform ball response across the entire string plane
Larger frame generates more power
Larger frame is more resistant to twisting
Larger frame has larger sweetspot
Longer frame generates more power
Longer frame generates more spin
A Word About Grip Size To reduce strain on the arm or the chance of Tennis Elbow, it is important to find a racquet with your ideal grip size. Standard sizes range from 4 1/8 to 4 5/8 inches, with the most popular being 4 3/8 inches.
US
Europe
4 inch
L0
4 1/8
L1
4 1/4
L2
4 3/8
L3
4 1/2
L4
4 5/8
L5
There are two ways to determine your ideal grip size. The first is to measure from the middle crease in your palm to the top of your ring finger. The second is grab a racquet with a forehand grip, and you’ll know your size when you can place the index finger from your other hand between palm and ringer finger with no space on either side. You can always add an overgrip, so if you’re in between sizes, or just not sure, go small.
