Tesla has partnered with Selkirk Sport to launch a $350 pickleball paddle featuring advanced aerodynamics. The collaboration applies Tesla's vehicle design expertise to improve swing speed and performance. This limited-edition product arrives amid pickleball's rising popularity in the United States.
Tesla announced its partnership with pickleball paddle manufacturer Selkirk Sport on a premium accessory priced at $350. The Tesla Plaid Pickleball Paddle, USAP-approved and assembled in the United States, incorporates aerodynamic innovations tested in wind tunnels to enhance precision and durability.
The collaboration began at the 2023 USAP National Championships, where Selkirk's Director of Research and Development, Tom Barnes, met Tesla's engineering team. Barnes created custom paddles for Tesla staff, leading to discussions in March 2024 with Tesla's Director of Product Design, Javier Verdura. The teams explored applying aerodynamics from Tesla vehicle development—such as drag coefficients and turbulent wake patterns—to paddle design. This resulted in prototypes tested in Selkirk's Idaho lab through repeated performance rounds.
Key features include an elongated silhouette, edgeless perimeter, and throat hole for reduced drag; a PureFoam core with a new TPU Power Ring to dampen vibrations and boost stability; a two-ply carbon fiber face for control; the MOI Tuning System for a larger sweet spot; and the patent-pending InfiniGrit Surface for enhanced spin. Independent reviewer John Kew noted exceptional spin reaching nearly 2,500 RPM, all-court power levels, a swing weight of 124, and a solid but not exceptional sweet spot, praising its aesthetics despite the high price.
"This project is personal to me," Barnes said. "What started as a fun idea between friends evolved into a full collaboration with their design and aerodynamics teams." He added, "This wasn’t simply a branding exercise. It was a true engineering collaboration."
The paddle follows Tesla's history of unconventional products, including a $1,600 electric quadbike, a $450 mezcal, and flamethrowers from The Boring Company. Elon Musk, a pickleball enthusiast, tweeted in 2023 that the sport could surpass tennis due to its convenience. Pickleball's growth is evident: a 2023 report estimated 36.5 million Americans played at least once in the prior year. The limited-edition paddle is available on the Tesla Shop while supplies last.
