Innovation doesn’t stand still — not on the road, not in the lab, and certainly not on the pickleball court.
That belief sparked a groundbreaking collaboration between two leaders in engineering and performance: Tesla and Selkirk Sport. Together, the companies set out to challenge what a pickleball paddle could be.
The result is the Tesla Plaid Pickleball Paddle by Selkirk, a next-generation paddle shaped by Tesla’s industrial design and aerodynamics expertise and Selkirk’s advanced pickleball designs.
Ideated from the ground up through rigorous testing, every cut, curve, and carbon fiber layer has one purpose: to help players push what’s possible.
Where the idea began
At the 2023 USAP National Championships, Selkirk Director of R&D Tom Barnes first connected with Tesla’s engineering team. Following the interaction, Tom created a batch of custom black-and-white Tesla paddles to deliver to Tesla staff.
That gesture ignited imagination, opening the door to deeper collaboration.
In March 2024, Selkirk leaders Mike, Rob, Jim, and Tom Barnes visited the Tesla factory in Fremont, California. Walking the factory floor and witnessing Tesla’s approach to design and engineering raised an exciting question:
What would happen if Tesla’s aerodynamics met Selkirk’s pickleball innovation?
From that spark came conversations, concept sketches, and eventually, a vision for a new paddle.
Designing the Plaid paddle: From concept to court
The first step was a sketch. Tesla’s design team produced CAD drawings inspired by Tesla’s vehicle design language, refining the concept toward an edgeless, aerodynamic shape with an open throat.
Selkirk’s R&D lab in Coeur d’Alene brought those drawings to life through rapid prototyping. Early versions were then shared back with Tesla for aerodynamics analysis.
Aerodynamics meet performance
Tesla’s aerodynamics testing — the same mindset used to engineer airflow across the Cybertruck or Model S — focused on optimizing swing speed and reducing drag. Their findings helped shape:
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An elongated form for added reach
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The impactful air-dynamic open throat
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A sharp, edgeless perimeter that slices through the air
Each element contributes to quicker swings, a smoother feel, and more power generated efficiently.
Inside the Selkirk Lab: Engineering the core
Blending Tesla’s airflow insights with Selkirk’s paddle expertise required more than a new shape. It required rethinking the internal structure.
PureFoam™ + TPU Power Ring
Selkirk’s PureFoam™ core, already known for combining power and durability, became the foundation. Working with Tesla engineers, Selkirk introduced the TPU Power Ring, a lightweight perimeter reinforcement that:
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Dampens vibrations
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Adds stability
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Prevents long-term crushing found in polypropylene honeycomb paddles
MOI Tuning System
To balance the increased aerodynamics, Selkirk utilized its MOI Tuning System — a semi-permanent perimeter weighting approach that fine-tunes:
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Swing weight (how heavy the paddle feels mid-swing)
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Twist weight (its resistance to twisting on off-center hits)
The result is a bigger sweet spot, more forgiveness, and smooth maneuverability.
Advanced carbon fiber face
A two-ply box weave (3K Twill Composite + T700 carbon fiber) gives players controllable power with stiffness for accurate shot placement. This material pairing works with the MOI system to deliver the ideal blend of power and control.
InfiniGrit™ Surface: 3x spin durability
Selkirk’s patent-pending InfiniGrit™ Surface brings three times the durability of raw carbon while generating spin over 2,000 RPM. It allows for consistent texture, lasting spin, and performance that holds up match after match.
