Pickle with Mickle Interview Series: On the Court with Hexpaddle

Summary

Stephanie and Raoul, founders of Hex Paddle, discuss their journey of bringing pickleball to Ireland and their efforts to grow the sport in the country. They talk about how they discovered pickleball while visiting the US and decided to bring it back to Ireland. They faced challenges in finding affordable paddles in Ireland, which led them to start their own paddle company. They share their experience of getting their paddles approved by the USA Pickleball Association and their plans to expand their business in the US market. They also discuss the unique aspects of playing pickleball in Ireland, such as indoor courts and different ball surfaces. Hex Paddle is looking to expand into the US market and introduce their premium paddle next year. They believe that there is a natural transition for people in India and China to start playing pickleball, and if it is included in the Olympics, it could gain even more popularity. The next chapter discusses the different materials and features they are considering for their next paddle, such as T700 and T900 carbon fiber and Kevlar. They want to balance power and spin to cater to different playing styles. They also mention upcoming events in Ireland and invite people to play pickleball with them in Dublin.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Irish Banter
02:30 The Journey of Hex Paddle
03:45 The Rapid Growth of Pickleball in Ireland
12:51 Getting Paddles Approved by the USA Pickleball Association
17:22 Playing Pickleball in Ireland: Indoor Courts and Unique Ball Surfaces
20:16 Expanding Hex Paddle: Plans for the US Market
21:30 Expanding into the US Market and Introducing a Premium Paddle
23:37 The Potential of Pickleball in India and China
26:18 Pickleball in the Olympics
34:20 Considering Materials and Features for the Next Paddle
35:45 Balancing Power and Spin for Different Playing Styles
39:12 Upcoming Pickleball Events in Ireland