PORT ANGELES – Aero Paddles, dba The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) has announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Pickleball Central, to distribute the very first pickleball paddle made with recycled aerospace grade carbon fiber. Aero Paddles expect to launch the paddle in the first quarter of 2017 under the model name of SWIFT.
The game of Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1965 and is now the fastest growing sport in North America with approximately 3 million players globally. With the paddles from Aero Paddles being manufactured at CRTC’s headquarters in Port Angeles, WA and with Pickleball Central, headquartered in Kent, WA, the new Paddle has a total Washington State connection. Pickleball is a sport played on a badminton-sized court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center. It is played with a perforated plastic ball similar to a whiffle ball and composite or wooden paddles about twice the size of ping-pong paddles. It can be played indoors or outdoors and is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. In addition, the game has developed a passionate following due to its friendly, social nature, and its multi-generational appeal. “We are extremely pleased to be able to work with the market leader in pickleball distribution in Pickleball Central. Their knowledge around the sport and the service that they provide their customers is world class” said David Walter, CRTC COO. “With carbon fiber being much lighter than aluminum but even stronger than steel, it is a perfect fit for a high-performance sporting good like a pickleball paddle. We are very excited about launching our first product into such an exciting and rapidly growing sport as pickleball” said Bob Larsen, CRTC CEO. “Pickleball Central has enjoyed explosive growth and we are very pleased to be able to bring the SWIFT paddle to the market. The feedback from the initial trials has been extremely positive and we very excited to get this paddle out for our customers to enjoy” said David Johnson, Co-founder of Pickleball Central. For additional information: Contact: David Walter (mailto:dwalter@compositerecycling.org), COO, (360) 477-1560 Contact: David Johnson (mailto: david@pickleballcentral.com), Co-founder, (253) 236-3821 About Aero Paddles and the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC): The CRTC is an innovative non-profit company founded in 2015 whose mission is to lead and grow a composite recycling industry that diverts carbon fiber scrap destined for landfills, and turns it into value-added products. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel with significantly lower weight (up to 75% less) the product applications in segments like transportation, clean tech and high performance sporting goods are boundless. The CRTC will accomplish its mission through direct product manufacturing and by providing research and development to advance the recycled composites industry. The CRTC is supported through commitments from the Port of Port Angeles, with infrastructure investment from partners at the US Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration, WA State’s Clean Energy Fund, Clallam County, and City of Port Angeles. Find out more at www.compositerecycling.org The CRTC, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, was launched by the Port of Port Angeles as an economic development initiative to respond to the growing need of the composite and aerospace industries to recycle and reuse remnants from their production processes. The CRTC campus also houses Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing-Composite Technology program with classrooms, offices, and lab facilities. The program gives students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. Co-location with CRTC provides students with unequaled opportunities for internships, manufacturing and R&D experience, and exposure to production operations. NEWS RELEASE: Washington State’s Composite Recycling Technology Center wins $500K “Innovation Accelerator” grant, debuts first retail product at Museum of Flight About Pickleball Central: Pickleball Central was recently acknowledged by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of "Washington State's 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies". They operate the world's largest online pickleball equipment retail store specializing in paddles, balls, nets, and court supplies. Ranked # 1 in customer service for racquet sports retailers, Pickleball Central is a family oriented, privately held company operating in Kent, Washington. The company was founded in 2006 and has served over 100,000 customers worldwide. Find out more at www.pickleballcentral.com.
4 Comments
christopher barb
2/5/2017 05:53:50 am
would like to test or use this paddle , i live in a retirement community we do have pickleball here and at or branches the community is called saddlebrook in Tucson Az 85739
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Mark McNown
2/5/2017 06:30:51 am
I live in southern Arizona and sell paddles. I would like to demo the paddle as well as possibly selling them. Thanks Mark
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