Arizona start-up pickleball brand Crush announced an exclusive national distribution partnership with Fromuth Racquet Sports for its RQT (pronounced Racquet) pickleball paddle.
Fromuth is a wholesale racquet sports distributor for tennis, pickleball, racquetball, and fitness equipment, apparel, and footwear with pro shops, country clubs, and teams across the United States. It will promote the patent-pending RQT across its national network.
“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., and everyone wants to know what’s coming next,” said Brett Warner, co-founder and paddle designer for CRUSH. “As a pro-level player, pro coach, and paddle designer, I believe that 17-inch by 7-inch Maximum Allowable Standard paddles will become the default paddle for all professional players within two years; playing with traditional 15.5-16.5-inch paddles will be relegated to recreation-level and newcomers to the sport.”
“Crush is bringing something unique to a crowded market,” said Pat Shields, Sr., CEO of Fromuth Racquet Sports. “We think we are the perfect partner to introduce the Crush RQT paddle to our customer base of racquet sports clubs, pro shops, retailers, and teachers.”
The features of RQT include a maximum allowable 17-inch-long frame and an extra-extended 6.5-inch handle that work together to hit two-handed backhands comfortably. The paddle construction from thermoformed raw carbon fiber engineering “generates 20 percent to 25 percent more power than traditional assembled paddles,” said Crush.
“Our mission is to offer the best paddles on the market for less, with great attention on our manufacturing, while being equally focused on the community of pickleball that motivates us to Crush life,” said Pete and Richelle Nassos, husband-and-wife co-founders of Crush.
Crush will showcase the RQT paddle at the Pickle Games in Miami, FL, from January 13 to 14.
