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The Pick-A-Paddle, Inc. story began in
1986 with an idea to produce a quality break resistant one
piece molded paddleball paddle for institutional use. The
Founder of the company, Howard Sokol, (Pictured right below)
a High School physical educator, saw a need for a durable
paddle for the activities that were being taught at the
secondary level. 
Paddle activities were placed in the
curriculum and were well received by instructors and
students. One of the more popular games was a form of short
court tennis played on a badminton court.
The high breakage rate of the paddle
equipment and the cost of replacing this equipment put the
activity at risk of elimination in some schools as supply
budgets were squeezed. The development of the Pick-A-Paddle
solved two problems. The paddles were break resistant and
very durable, being used for years instead of units. The
cost of the Pick-A-Paddle was comparable to the wooden
models and in most cases much less expensive to purchase.
The paddles are made in the USA with materials made in the
USA.
As with most good ideas the paddle has
been copied by foreign manufactures, they may look similar,
but the quality of material is not the same. Pick-A-Paddle
is the only ‘Quality Paddle for Quality Fun’. The original
model or what is now called the Adult model was first made
in only three colors, Red, White and Blue. The paddles were
sold in like colors by the dozen. Currently the Adult
model is sold in seven different colors in like colors by
the dozen or in a Pick-A-Color six pack with one paddle of
six different colors.
The paddles were first tested for
durability at a couple of selected sites before they were
sold in the market place. After the durability was proven
the paddle was offered to many of the High Schools in the
Chicago suburban area. The success of the original model
grew from there. The distinctive design and the product
name Pick-A-Paddle are now well known in the Physical
Education community.
In 1994 Pick-A-Paddle Junior was
introduced. The Junior paddle weighs only 7 ounces and has
the same durability characteristics as the original
Pick-A-Paddle. The paddle was designed to enable physical
educators at the elementary and junior high school levels to
teach racket and paddle skills with an appropriate sized
paddle. The paddle has a smaller grip size and can be
handled easily by the younger player. Using a foam or
plastic ball numerous games can be used to teach proper
striking skills. In 1994 the paddle was introduced in four
colors, red, blue, green and yellow. The paddles were sold by
the dozen in like colors. Currently the Junior paddles in
available by the dozen in like colors, or in the
Pick-A-Color Six Pack with one paddle of each of the six
colors.
The Pick-A-Paddle Table Tennis paddle
made its debut in 1999. The one piece, break resistant
paddle is made from a special soft material that makes it
the most durable Table Tennis paddle in the market place.
If it doesn’t have the Pick-A-Paddle name on it, it’s a
cheaper imitation knock off and it will not be made with our
special material. The paddles are sold in Pick-A-Color six
packs, one of each of six colors in a half dozen box.
Pick-A-Paddle brand paddles can be
found in all of the major Physical Education equipment
catalogs. The (ADA) Athletic Dealers of America dealers
also carry the Pick-A-Paddle brand. The Pick-A-Paddle has
become the solid choice in the institutional market place.
The Pick-A-Paddle line of paddle products truly are the
‘Quality paddles for Quality fun’.
The PICK-A-PADDLE BADMINTON RACQUET
started production in November of 2008. Many years of work
have gone in to the development of this break resistant
Badminton Racquet. This institutional racquet will allow the
Physical Educator to teach badminton skills with a playable
racquet that has durability. The patented, molded in the
USA, racquet will have two models. The Nylon strung racquet
will be packaged by the Dozen or in a Pick-A-Color Six
Pack. The racquet plays extremely well and it is an
excellent teaching tool. Look for the PICK-A-PADDLE
BADMINTON RACQUET in the Physical Education Supply catalogs
in 2009! |