Leaders from USA Pickleball, UPA and top paddle brands discuss the challenges of dual certification systems and the path toward unified standards at RacquetX.
At the RacquetX conference in Miami, taking place March 22-24, leaders from across the pickleball industry gathered for a panel titled “Pickleball at a Crossroads: Navigating the Wild West of Equipment, Standards and Regulations.” The discussion brought together voices from national governing bodies, professional leagues and major equipment manufacturers to examine the growing fragmentation of the sport’s equipment standards.
Representatives included Carl Schmits of USA Pickleball, Jason Aspes of the United Pickleball Association (UPA), and paddle manufacturers Gordan Kaye of JOOLA, Rafael Filippini of Gearbox Sports, Tom Barnes of Selkirk Sport and Nick Bićanić of Reload Pickleball, who also moderated the session.
For over a decade, USA Pickleball has served as the primary certifier of equipment used across the sport, particularly at the amateur level. However, the recent rise of UPA — a governing body affiliated with the professional leagues MLP and PPA — has introduced a competing certification framework. While both organizations have similar technical foundations, their approaches to testing, standards enforcement and fee structures differ.
Panelists from paddle manufacturers and both governing organizations debated the implications of this split. Several expressed concern over the operational burden on manufacturers now required to navigate dual certification processes. This challenge is particularly acute for smaller brands with fewer resources to develop separate product lines for each standard.
Another key issue discussed was the potential for confusion in the consumer market. While UPA standards were initially positioned as applicable only to professional play, panelists acknowledged that pro-level paddles are increasingly making their way into amateur settings. This overlap has prompted questions about fairness and consistency, as well as how clubs and recreational players should interpret conflicting certifications.
The panel also explored broader questions of governance and motivation. UPA representatives described their efforts as necessary for ensuring competitive integrity at the professional level, especially given rapid innovation in paddle technology and growing commercial interests in the sport, including gambling and media rights. Meanwhile, others raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the risk of commercial priorities outweighing long-term player development and accessibility.
Despite differing perspectives, there was widespread agreement on one point: the sport would benefit from greater alignment. Most participants expressed a desire for a unified standard, whether through collaboration, convergence or the establishment of clearly defined roles for pro and amateur play. Some noted the importance of learning from other sports and warned against repeating the mistakes that contributed to the decline of racquetball, such as fragmentation, internal conflict, and lack of long-term planning.
As pickleball continues its rapid growth, the outcomes of this ongoing debate are likely to shape the sport’s future — not only for professional athletes but for millions of recreational players, manufacturers and facility operators around the world.
Do you have an opinion on this important discussion? Send your thoughts to rachel@peakemedia.com.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
