Will Bieber buy into rival pickleball league?

The inside-out forehand dink. ALW + Ben Johns on God Mode.

"Ohhh Canadaaaaaa, the home of pro pickleeee..."

...Wait, that's not how the song goes. But the new Canadian National Pickleball League probably wants a re-write.

We'll give you all the details of this new pro pickleball league below. We promise there's no references to maple syrup, the phrase, 'eh,' and certainly nothing about hockey.

Also in this issue:

A how-to on the inside-out forehand dink
Another otherworldly performance from ALW and Ben Johns

Let's go!

The Inside-Out Forehand Dink

Who did it better? Pesa Teoni pulls off the inside-out forehand dink winner against Matt Wright on Saturday. The next day, Wright uses the same shot against the Johns brothers. Watch it here.

Let's take a closer look at how it's done.

In the above scenario, both players' forehands were in the middle. The other team leaves a sitter, a dead dink, to the forehand side. It's time to take advantage.

From this spot, the other team's first priority is to guard an attack down the line. Their second priority is to defend an attack up the middle. This leaves anything cross-court wide open.

Usually, with a dink cross-court, there is enough time to recover and return the shot. But with the inside-out forehand, both Teoni and Wright hold their shot until the last second, essentially freezing their opponent.

With a forehand, they're able to achieve ample topspin. As soon as the ball spins outside of their opponent, it kicks off the court. Gone, dink winner. AKA...Dinner.

Few shots can rival the feeling of a dink winner. Try this one out next time you're on the court and bask in the Dinner glory.

A Paddle for Power AND Spin

After over two years of research and collaboration with top pros like Tyson McGuffin, Selkirk's VANGUARD Power Air addresses the need for both power and spin.

This is the future of pickleball technology. Be a part of it. Learn more here.

Introducing: The CNPL

Just in case you needed another acronym to memorize in the pro pickleball space: the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) officially launched as the country’s first professional pickleball league.

Their 2023 season kicks off with regional draft qualifying events for spots on eight teams, each with owners, similar to what we’ve seen from MLP. According to the CNPL website, all of the preliminary events across Canada’s regions will be streamed online.

“Canada is bursting with talent that deserves to flourish; the CNPL will provide the opportunity for players to focus on their professional and skill development while simultaneously fostering the growth of the sport in Canada,” says Cameron Taylor, Co-Founder of CNPL and Founder and Head Teaching Professional of Taylored Pickleball Academy.

Team owners have yet to be announced, but CNPL has announced the first four committed players: Jorge Quintero, Kim Layton, Brad Chapman, and Kim Brent.

Player application forms for qualifying events will be accepted beginning March 1st.

1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, 60 mg magnesium.

That's LMNT's science-backed electrolyte ratio. When you sweat, the primary electrolyte lost is sodium. You can lose up to 7 grams per day.

When sodium isn’t replaced, it’s common to experience muscle cramps and fatigue, aka game-killers.

Don't let that happen. Try LMNT's electrolyte drink mix.

Two for Two

The PPA Tour is two events in and the game's best players have locked in their second triple crowns. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns put on another otherworldly performance securing three gold medals each.

Johns went to three game with Federico Staksrud in singles but continues to compete at his own level. The Johns bros appear to have Matt Wright and Riley Newman figured out for the time being. They won gold 11-3, 12-10, 11-8.

Waters gave up her first game of the year in the women's doubles final. She and Catherine Parenteau lost a game to Lea Jansen and Allyce Jones before hoisting the trophy. Waters then dropped one more game in her singles final against Parenteau, but won that match 11-3, 4-11, 11-6.

Wright and Lucy Kovalova shut down the new super team of Newman and Anna Bright in mixed doubles. They made it to another Championship Sunday but were no match for Waters/Johns. Bright/Newman settled for bronze.

The biggest surprise of the weekend was the seventeen seeded Bobbi Oshiro and Sarah Ansboury, who made a quarterfinal run defeating (1) Lucy Kovalova/Callie Smith and (8) Jorja Johnson/Andrea Koop. Read more here.

The PPA stays in the desert for their next tournament, the Carvana Arizona Grand Slam, beginning 2/16.

The boys had an epic weekend at MLP Mesa.

Adam Stone was in the booth all weekend and Rob’s Aces qualified for the Challenger Level knockout stage. Trash talking, close matches and rules drama helped make MLP Mesa one of the best weekends in pickleball. Get the inside take on It Feels Right.

Watch here and listen here.

Pickleball Wear that Lasts

Think of the last time you found an article of clothing that felt tailor-made for you. Was it made in the USA? Did it last very long?

American Giant wants to help pickleball enthusiasts connect on the court in style by creating a durable and polished collection that’s as inclusive as the sport it’s named for.

Each durable cotton piece is designed to breathe, stretch, and hold up to your hardest-hitting moments on the court. These hoodies, jackets, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts & tees make excellent gifts, too!