Colorful. Break-Resistant. Built to Last.

About

About Pick-A-Paddle, Inc.

The Pick-A-Paddle, Inc. story began in 1986 with the idea to produce a quality break-resistant one-piece molded paddleball paddle for institutional use. The founder of the company, Howard Sokol, a high school physical educator, saw a need for a durable paddle for the activities being taught at the secondary level.

Specially Designed for Institutional Use

Paddle activities were placed in the curriculum and received well by instructors and students. One of the more popular games was a form of short-court tennis played on a badminton court.
The high breakage rate of the paddle equipment and the cost of replacing this equipment put the activity at risk of elimination in some schools as supply budgets were squeezed. The development of the Pick-A-Paddle solved two problems. The paddles were break-resistant and durable, used for years instead of units. The cost of the Pick-A-Paddle was comparable to the wooden models and, in most cases, much less expensive to purchase. The paddles are designed and manufactured in the USA with materials made in the USA.

Brand History

The Original Pick-A-Paddle
As with most good ideas, the paddle has been copied by foreign manufacturers. They may look similar, but the quality of the material is never the same. Pick-A-Paddle is the only “Quality Paddle for Quality Fun.” The original model, or what is now called the Adult model, was first made in only three colors—red, white, and blue. The paddles were sold in like colors by the dozen. Currently, the Adult model has six colors and is available in a Pick-A-Color Six Pack, with one paddle of six different colors.
The paddles were first tested for durability at several selected sites before being sold in the marketplace. After the durability was proven, the paddle was offered to many high schools in the Chicago suburban area. The success of the original model grew from there. The distinctive design and the product name Pick-A-Paddle are now well-known in the physical education community.
The Pick-A-Paddle Junior
In 1994, Pick-A-Paddle Junior was introduced. The Junior paddle weighs only seven ounces and has the same durability characteristics as the original Pick-A-Paddle. The paddle was designed to enable physical educators at the elementary and junior high school levels to teach racket and paddle skills with an appropriate-sized paddle.
The paddle has a smaller grip size and can be handled easily by a younger player. Numerous games can be used to teach proper striking skills using a foam or plastic ball. In 1994, the paddle was first introduced in four colors—red, blue, green, and yellow. Currently, the Junior paddles are available in the Pick-A-Color Six Pack, with one paddle of each of the six colors.
The Pick-A-Paddle Table Tennis Paddle
The Pick-A-Paddle Table Tennis Paddle made its debut in 1999. The one-piece, break-resistant paddle is made from a unique soft material, making it the most durable table tennis paddle in the marketplace. If it doesn’t have the Pick-A-Paddle brand, it’s a cheaper imitation knock-off and not made with our unique material. The paddles are sold in our Pick-A-Color Six Pack, with one of each available six colors in a half dozen box.
The Pick-A-Paddle brand can be found in all major physical education equipment catalogs. The Athletic Dealers of America (ADA) also carry the Pick-A-Paddle brand. The Pick-A-Paddle has become a solid choice in the institutional marketplace. The Pick-A-Paddle line of paddle products truly are the “Quality paddles for Quality fun.”
The Pick-A-Paddle Badminton Racquet
The Pick-A-Paddle Badminton Racquet started production in November of 2008. Many years of work have gone into developing this break-resistant badminton racquet. This institutional racquet allows physical educators to teach badminton skills with a playable racquet that has durability.
The patented, molded-in-the-USA racquet has two models. The nylon-strung racquets are packaged in a Pick-A-Color Six Pack. They play exceptionally well and are an excellent teaching tool. Check them out in our physical education supply catalogs, and purchase yours today.