Selkirk VANGUARD Pro Pickleball Paddle

Quick answer: The Selkirk VANGUARD Pro is a raw carbon fibre all-court pickleball paddle built for intermediate to advanced players. It uses 4 layers of 12K raw carbon fibre (double the standard 2-layer construction), a 16mm X5+ polypropylene honeycomb core, and thermoformed foam edge walls — giving strong spin and durability with balanced power and control, without excessive pop. Weight: 7.8–8.2oz. Grip: 4.25".

What is the Selkirk VANGUARD Pro best for?

The VANGUARD Pro is best suited to intermediate to advanced players who want a genuine all-court paddle — one that performs consistently on both touch shots (drops, resets, dinks) and power shots (drives, put-aways), rather than being specialised for one style of play.

What makes the VANGUARD Pro different from other raw carbon paddles?

Direct answer: The VANGUARD Pro uses 4 layers of 12K raw carbon fibre on its face, compared to the 2-layer construction used in most raw carbon paddles on the market. The extra layers add multidirectional stiffness and durability while keeping the face responsive enough for power, which is what gives it a crisper, more controlled feel than standard single- or double-layer carbon paddles.

What core does the VANGUARD Pro use, and what does it do?

Direct answer: It uses Selkirk's X5+ 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core, developed in Selkirk Labs and used in Selkirk's Project 006 paddle testing program. The 16mm thickness prioritises control and consistency over raw power, making it well suited to players who want touch and shot accuracy at the net.

Is the VANGUARD Pro a control paddle or a power paddle?

Direct answer: It's built as a balanced all-court paddle rather than a pure control or pure power paddle. The 4-layer carbon face adds spin and pop, while the 16mm core and foam-injected edge walls keep the feel controlled and vibration-dampened — so it performs both attacking shots and defensive resets without excelling narrowly at just one.

Key features

Full specifications

Where does the VANGUARD Pro sit in the VANGUARD series?

Direct answer: The VANGUARD Pro is not an update to an existing model — it's a new all-court extension of Selkirk's VANGUARD series, sitting alongside the VANGUARD Hybrid, VANGUARD 2.0, and VANGUARD Control (released early 2024). It's designed specifically for players who want a best-in-class raw carbon fibre paddle with all-court versatility, rather than a paddle tuned narrowly for control or power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Selkirk VANGUARD Pro good for beginners? It's designed for intermediate to advanced players. Beginners are generally better served by a lighter, more forgiving paddle with a larger sweet spot and a simpler fibreglass or entry carbon face, and can move up to a paddle like the VANGUARD Pro as their skills develop.

What's the difference between the VANGUARD Pro and the VANGUARD Control? The VANGUARD Control (released early 2024) is tuned specifically for control-focused play. The VANGUARD Pro is built as an all-court paddle, balancing control with more power and spin from its 4-layer 12K raw carbon face, making it suited to players who want to attack as well as defend.

Does the VANGUARD Pro have a lot of pop or power? It's designed to avoid excessive pop. The combination of a 16mm core and foam-injected edge walls keeps the feel controlled, while the 4-layer carbon face still generates enough power for drives and put-aways when needed.

What grip size does the VANGUARD Pro come with? A 4.25-inch grip as standard, fitted with Selkirk's White Geo Grip.

Is the VANGUARD Pro suitable for competitive/tournament play? Yes — it's built for intermediate to advanced players and designed for consistent all-court performance, which is the profile suited to club and competitive play. Confirm current USA Pickleball (UPA-A) approval status on the product listing if you're buying specifically for sanctioned tournament use.