Finding My Game Again: Rec Play, Confidence & the Boomstik
Now that ladder league is over, I’m back to playing weekly pickleball with the fellas, and I’ve realized how much I truly enjoy the relaxed side of the game. There’s something different about playing free and loose with friends versus competing against people you don’t know. I learned that same lesson when I played competitive cornhole. The mental pressure changes everything. It’s not just about executing shots — it’s about managing expectations, controlling your self-talk, and not letting the score dictate how you feel. That’s something I’m still learning. During the last night of ladder league, I made it a point to be kinder to myself. If I missed a shot, I reset. If I caught myself worrying about the score, I took a breath. I’m getting better at playing the game without carrying the weight of the outcome on every rally.
Going into rec night, I honestly didn’t know which paddle I wanted to use. My Bread & Butter Loco has been my go-to, but I’ve noticed the higher swing weight can make it feel just slightly slower getting ready at the kitchen. That might just mean I need to stay paddle-ready at all times. The Luzz Inferno has been great for quick flicks, hands battles, and overheads. My Vatic Pro V7 long handle gives me amazing balance and confidence in quick exchanges. Still, something told me to pull out the Selkirk Boomstik Elongated. I’ll admit, it was hard for me to buy this paddle. Not only because of the price, but because I never imagined spending that much on one. I’ve always felt that $180 was a comfortable place to be, and with Bread & Butter I never questioned the value. But after last night, I understand the appeal.
The Boomstik is heavier and the swing weight isn’t ideal for quick flicks, yet it offers traits that fit my game extremely well. I’m not the most aggressive player, but if the ball sits high enough, I’m going to put it away. Drops are my foundation. I try to slow the game down and force dink rallies, especially against players who love to speed everything up. The pop on this paddle has helped my drops tremendously. From the baseline, balls that I think might fall short seem to float right into the kitchen. I’ve been practicing at home with my Enhance Dink Master 3.0 wall, focusing on tracking the ball at its apex, and that work is starting to show. Am I perfect with drops? No. But my confidence has grown, and that makes a difference.
Defensively, the pop and stability really stand out. In transition or when absorbing pace, the paddle helps get the ball back over the net with a little more margin. With less poppy paddles, the angle has to be nearly perfect. Here, there’s forgiveness. There were a few pop-ups — it’s still breaking in — but overall the stability impressed me. On drives, the power is undeniable. The sweet spot feels generous, and the spin surprised me with how sharply the ball dipped back into the court. My topspin serve felt strong, though I’m still dialing in the slice. Overheads were decisive, but I also reminded myself that placement matters more than swinging at 90% every time.
I went into the night focused on a few specific improvements. I committed to moving up to the net immediately after my partner’s return, even if it wasn’t perfect, trusting my hands and reaction time. I built a consistent serve routine — deep breath, same spot, no overthinking. I worked on patience in dink rallies, though I do remember one point where I sped up when I should have stayed calm. Most of the games went to deuce and felt like true battles. Defense was strong on both sides. I actually wish I had recorded the matches because the intensity was high and the rallies were long. It was one of those nights where everyone played well and every point had to be earned.
Personally, I was proud of my forehand drop. My backhand has always been more reliable, but the forehand felt more confident. Court positioning overall improved because I committed to moving forward and applying pressure instead of hanging back. It felt intentional, not reactive.
For context, I had TTO surgery about two and a half years ago, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Last night I didn’t even wear a brace. I’ve been prioritizing strengthening, stability work, and stretching, and it’s paying off. Good court shoes have also been essential. I always tell newer players that shoes matter more than paddles in the beginning. Running shoes simply aren’t built for lateral movement, and I’ve seen too many ankle rolls because of that.
So is the Boomstik worth it? Selkirk Sport makes high-end gear, and this paddle performs at a high level. But I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. If you’re playing competitive leagues or tournaments consistently and plan to stick with one paddle long-term, it’s worth considering. If you’re mostly playing casual rec, there are excellent alternatives at lower price points. For me, I’m glad I bought it. Last night was intense, competitive, and fun. There were errors, but there was growth. As the weather warms up, we’ll likely move outdoors to save on court fees, though if it gets too crowded, we may find ourselves back inside. Either way, I feel like my game — especially mentally — is heading in the right direction, and for now, the Boomstik is staying in the bag.
