My Pickleball Paddle Choices for a Tournament & Why

Lately, I’ve been itching to try a pickleball tournament at a local club. That got me thinking: if I signed up, which paddle would I bring with me, and which ones would I trust as backups? Over the past year, I’ve been rotating between a few different paddles during rec play at my local parks in Connecticut. The competition is always friendly but solid, and it’s been a great way to learn different styles of play while sharpening my own game. My brother-in-law, a few friends, and I usually meet once a week, and that’s enough for me to get my fix. But if I had to step into a tournament tomorrow, here’s how my paddles stack up.

At the bottom of my list is the Friday Fever paddle. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some of my best games with it, and I really do love the way the blue design looks—it just feels good in hand. But when it comes down to tournament play, looks alone won’t cut it. While it’s reliable enough to stay in my trunk as a backup, I wouldn’t trust it as my main choice

Moving up, the next paddles I’d reach for would be the Vatic Pro Saga V7 16mm and the 11six24 Vapor Power. These two have been neck-and-neck for me. The Saga gives me excellent control, whip-through shots, and really clean one-handed backhand dinks. It feels steady in longer rallies and rewards patience.  It is still one of my go to paddles overall. On the other hand, the Vapor Power brings a bit more pop, better stability, and a strong hybrid elongated feel. It’s great for two-handed backhands and returns, and it gives me that confidence to drive through the ball. Depending on the day, I could see myself going either way—but if the Vapor starts popping the ball up too much, I’d switch to the Saga for more consistency.

And then there’s the paddle that’s taken over as my number one for now: the Luzz Pro Cannon. This paddle has completely won me over. The power it delivers is amazing—it explodes off the face on drives and smashes—but what really surprised me is how well it performs on drops and resets. It’s rare to find a paddle that can pack that much punch and still give you the soft touch with dinks needed to control the kitchen game, but the Cannon pulls it off.

It’s not the easiest paddle to tame—you need a little finesse to manage its pop and power with serves and hard hits—but once you get comfortable, it feels like a true tournament weapon. The longer handle gives me confidence for two-handed backhands, and the elongated shape helps me cover more court. At $109 (before my discount code TechYeti), it’s a great deal, and since it’s UPA-certified, it’s ready for sanctioned tournaments too.

If I were stepping into a tournament tomorrow, the Luzz Pro Cannon would be the paddle in my hand. It’s got the firepower, the touch, and the all-around versatility I need to compete.

Finding the Right Pickleball Paddle Shape: A Player's Guide

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of pickleball paddles on the market? You’re not alone. As someone who came from competitive cornhole—a sport I thought had a lot of companies—I was shocked by the sheer number of options in pickleball. While more choices are a good thing, it’s tough to know where to begin.

When I started my search, I went online to see what others were saying. I was looking for a budget-friendly paddle and wasn't sure if I should spend over $100. At first, I decided against it, thinking I'd rather have several affordable options than one super-pricey paddle. This post will walk you through my journey and discuss paddle shapes to help you find what might be right for you.

My Paddle Journey

My first paddle was a cheap aluminum paddle from a Franklin combo set I bought at BJ’s. It was fine for casual family play, but for anything competitive, it just didn't cut it. It was heavy, full of vibration, and had dead spots all over the face. Interestingly, it was an elongated shape—something I didn't even realize at the time.

That experience pushed me to get my first "real" paddle. After watching some videos praising their value, I chose the Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14mm (short handle). These are solid, reliable paddles, and the edge guard has held up incredibly well despite my family and friends constantly scraping the top reaching for low balls.

I chose the hybrid shape for this paddle. It worked well for a long time, but eventually, I felt like I needed more.

Exploring Different Paddle Shapes

I was a little hesitant to try a more powerful paddle, so I next moved to the Vatic Pro Saga Flash. It was a step up with a great feel, but still not quite what I was looking for. Then came the Vatic Pro Bloom, their first wide-body shape. I was loving the huge sweet spot and control, which was fantastic for my hand speed. However, I was still missing the power I wanted.

When new players ask me what shape they should get, I tell them to try all of mine. When I was first doing my own research, I heard many people recommend the hybrid shape over the elongated one, often saying, “elongated paddles are for former tennis players.”

I’m here to challenge that idea.

I have never played tennis or ping pong, and I would recommend that anyone try an elongated paddle. Maybe it’s because I started with a hybrid and then moved to a wide body, but for me, the elongated shape has been amazing for my game.

I'm not a player who just drives the ball, but I do like to have a strong serve and return to get to the kitchen for dinking. I also find I'm much stronger with volleys near the kitchen. The elongated shape helps with reach, and while some say the sweet spot is smaller, that hasn't been my experience. When I use an elongated paddle like the Vatic Pro Saga V7 or the Friday Fever, it just feels more balanced. I feel better connected to these paddles, especially when using a backhand slice dink or reaching for a shot.

Not All Paddles Are Created Equal

Of course, there are exceptions. The 11six24 Vapor Power, which is a hybrid shape, is simply amazing. It has the massive sweet spot and responsiveness of a wide-body paddle but the reach of an elongated one. And the power is incredible. So, while most paddles within a shape category are similar, the Vapor Power proves they aren’t all created equal.

This brings me back to the YouTube reviews I watched. Everyone was saying how great the Saga Flash 16mm was, but they claimed the Saga V7 16mm SH (elongated) was one of the worst.

For me, it was the complete opposite. The Saga V7 16mm is solid and feels much better than the Flash. I don't feel any instability, and hitting the sweet spot feels natural. With the Flash (hybrid), I felt like I had to hit the ball lower on the paddle face. With the V7, I can swing through it like hitting a softball on the sweet spot of the bat.

Final Advice on Choosing a Paddle

Here’s how I think about it:

A heavier, elongated paddle can help with stability and power but might lack hand speed. If you have good timing, this won't be an issue.

If you struggle with hand speed or timing, a hybrid or a wide-body shape like the Bloom might suit you better.

If you struggle to consistently hit the sweet spot, the Bloom or the Vapor Power are fantastic go-to options.

Ultimately, the best way to decide on a paddle shape is to try them out! Ask to demo paddles at your local club or check local Facebook groups to see if any brand ambassadors are around. Trust me, there are plenty.

In the end, if a paddle looks nice, is within your budget, and has decent reviews, go for it. Don't take my recommendations as gospel; make your own decision. But if I’m being honest, who cares if you’ve never played a racket sport? Try the elongated paddle. You just might love it. Some of my best games have come from using the Saga V7 16mm and the Friday Fever paddle.

My Go-To Paddles & Discounts

When you're ready to purchase a paddle, I'm a brand ambassador for a few companies. If you use my discount code at checkout, I get an incentive that allows me to try more paddles and give you my honest review. I've been playing for a year, and this is the list of paddles I currently use.

Saga V7 16mm SH (Gen 1.5) - Elongated Shape: Soft on dinks and near the kitchen but with plenty of power for serves and hard hits. It offers a great balance of power and control but is the heaviest paddle, so it's not for everyone. Use code TECHYETI at Vatic Pro for a discount.

11six24 Vapor Power (Gen 3) - Hybrid Shape: Amazing power and feel with a great grip. A solid, premium paddle and the most expensive I've purchased, but I highly recommend it. Get $10 off with my discount code TechYeti at checkout.

Friday Fever (Gen 3) - Elongated Shape: Very similar to the expensive Joola Perseus but for only $95 with my affiliate link/code.

 

Why I’m Still Playing With the Vatic Pro Prism Flash in 2025

Forget the Hype: Why I’m Still Playing With the Vatic Pro Prism Flash in 2025

When I first started playing pickleball, one of the first paddles I purchased was the Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14mm with a short handle. As someone new to the game, I wanted something better than the generic Walmart paddles — ideally for the same or even a lower price.

At first, I wasn’t sure if the Prism Flash was the right fit for my style. But after cycling through several more expensive paddles, I came back to it — and to my surprise, I was still impressed. In fact, I found myself choosing it over my Saga V7, Vapor Power, and Friday Fever paddles. Here’s why.

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1. Grit and Spin Potential

One of the first things I noticed again after returning to the Prism Flash was the grit. This paddle has more surface texture than almost every other paddle I own — including the ones I mentioned above.

More grit means more spin potential. If you’re someone who loves adding topspin or slicing shots, the Prism Flash delivers big in this area, especially considering it’s under $100.

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2. Control Meets Pop

The Prism Flash is an all-court leaning control paddle. At 14mm thick, it offers a nice balance of pop and control.

Unlike the Saga build, it leans more toward control — but without feeling sluggish. I used to think I always wanted that loud “pop” sound like I get from my Friday Fever or Vapor Power paddles. But honestly, I’m enjoying the quieter, softer contact for dinks, drops, and resets.

This softer feel gives me confidence at the kitchen while still keeping enough pop for when I need to put the ball away.

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3. Comfort for Two-Handed Backhands

One thing I’ve learned over the past year is that I use a two-handed backhand for returns and dinks. That means I need room for my large hands on the handle.

The Saga V7 short handle didn’t work well for this, but the Prism Flash does. The space is just right, and it feels more comfortable than expected — even compared to other paddle shapes.

Interestingly, I’ve also found that I prefer 14mm thickness over 16mm when using a two-handed backhand, as it just feels more natural and maneuverable.

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4. Solid Feel and Durability

When hitting hard — on overheads or serves — the Prism Flash has a solid, satisfying sound. The handle is slightly wider than the Saga models, but still comfortable.

Durability has been outstanding. I’ve let friends, family, and even my kids use it, and it has survived plenty of scraps and battle scars. The edge guard is still intact and black, and the core feels just as solid as the day I bought it.

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5. Room for Upgrades

The Prism Flash is fantastic as is, but here are two things I’d tweak:

• Add some weight for better stability, a larger sweet spot, and more power.

• Use an overgrip for improved comfort and slight vibration dampening.

These small changes can make a big difference for intermediate and competitive players.

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6. Why It Still Makes Sense in 2025

With so many paddles hitting the market — including Vatic Pro’s new 14mm Saga models and widebody Bloom — it’s tempting to chase the latest release. But here’s what I’ve learned:

Power isn’t everything. Precision, control, placement, serves, returns, dinks, and volleys win games. I love slowing the game down, dropping a perfect ball into the kitchen, and setting up my partner (or myself) for the put-away.

The Prism Flash fits that style perfectly — and it can still hang in competitive play.

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Final Verdict

Would I buy the Prism Flash again? Yes — in a heartbeat. In fact, I’d also consider the 16mm version for a bit more stability.

It’s also a fantastic junior paddle — my son has used it at summer camp and loved it. For under $100, it’s a smart buy for beginners, recreational players, and even seasoned players who want a reliable backup.

When you’re ready to buy from Vatic Pro, use discount code TechYeti at checkout. I do receive an incentive, which helps me purchase more paddles to review for you in the future.

Vatic Pro didn’t pay me to write this review, and all opinions are my own.
Happy dinking, and see you on the courts!