Players who have spent any significant time on the pickleball court have likely come across a unique design feature on several Selkirk paddles — a hole in the paddle's throat.
Far from a design flaw, this innovation is a product of advanced engineering aimed at enhancing your game.
Understanding the pickleball paddle throat
Before exploring Selkirk's unique design, it is important to first learn what a throat is and how it affects your gameplay.
What is the throat of a pickleball paddle?
The throat is the segment where the paddle’s face transitions into the handle, effectively linking the head of the paddle to the grip.
This area should not be the surface you use to hit the ball (although the occasional mishits may occur), but it plays a crucial role in the paddle’s overall performance.
While technically possible to strike the ball with the throat, doing so often leads to mishits and errors. Thus, its design is more about optimizing the paddle's structural and dynamic properties than providing an additional hitting surface.
How does the throat affect playability?
The throat is one of the five key components of a paddle — alongside the face, handle, core, and edge. It contributes to:
- Stability and balance: A well-engineered throat ensures the paddle has a balanced feel as you swing.
- Vibration dampening: It helps absorb and redistribute impact forces, reducing unwanted vibrations that could affect your precision and comfort during play.
The Air Dynamic Throat: Engineering meets innovation
The Air Dynamic Throat is a specific design innovation initially developed for the Selkirk LABS Project 002 before it was eventually introduced in the VANGUARD Power Air.
What is the Air Dynamic Throat?
This design involves an intentionally enlarged and strategically placed opening near the handle. By enhancing airflow through the paddle, this feature is engineered to provide:
- Quicker swing speed: The improved air dynamics reduce drag, allowing for a faster, more fluid swing.
- Enhanced ball control: The optimized airflow and flex contribute to better ball placement and consistent performance.
How does it affect playability?
For experienced players, every millisecond counts. The Air Dynamic Throat contributes by:
- Maximizing flex: It allows for an optimal amount of paddle flex, which extends dwell time — the moment the ball is in contact with the paddle — for added power and precision.
- Streamlined airflow: This design reduces air resistance, making your swings quicker and more efficient, especially during fast-paced rallies.
Legal status: Is the Air Dynamic Throat legal?
Despite its unconventional appearance, the hole in the paddle is fully legal. All Selkirk paddles are USAP-approved, meaning they meet strict standards for professional and recreational play.
According to USAP rule 2.E.2 regarding the playing surface, the paddle’s hitting surface must be free of imperfections like delamination or holes. However, since the hole is located in the throat — and not part of the playing surface — it doesn’t violate any rules.
So, rest assured, your paddle is perfectly compliant for both pro and recreational tournaments.
Debunking the myths: Poking fun at silly theories
Over the years, the mysterious hole in Selkirk paddles has spawned a variety of humorous theories online. Here are a few of the lighter takes from the pickleball community:
- Snack storage: Some players jest that the hole is designed for stashing snacks for mid-game pickups.
- Finger spinning: Others claim it’s the perfect spot for spinning your paddle around your finger between serves — a party trick for the courts.
- Mood indicator: There’s even a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the hole shows if you’re happy or sad, like a tiny, whimsical mood ring on your paddle.
While these theories bring plenty of laughs, they’re just that — fun myths with no bearing on the actual engineering marvel behind the design.
