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Gherkin

Draco

This paddle delivers mid-range 56.8 MPH power, plush 16mm feel — a power option in a hybrid shape.

$179.99USD list
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBEFFECT

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Hybrid16mm coreCarbonGen 4Firepower HighPower

USAP approved since Dec 31, 2025

  • Certified under the previous test (before Oct 1, 2026)
  • Eligible for Pickleball Canada sanctioned play

Official USA Pickleball entry · Approved paddle tracker
Always confirm on the official USA Pickleball list before tournament play.

Specs & Lab Data

What do these mean?
Swing Weight
113
42nd percentile
Twist Weight
6.66
74th percentile
Weight
8 oz
Core Thickness
16mm
Power
56.8 MPH
64th percentile
Pop
37 MPH
82nd percentile
Spin
2062 RPM
Very High
Balance
235mm
Grip Length
5.5"
Grip Size
4.25"
⚡ Optimize This Paddle

Fine-Tune with Lead Tape

Customize this paddle by adding lead tape to adjust weight distribution, balance point, and feel. See exactly how different placements impact performance.

Lead Tape Optimizer

Customize how your Gherkin Draco plays by adding lead tape.

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Find Your Perfect Match

Pros

  • +Solid pop at 37 MPH (82nd percentile) for net exchanges
  • +Thick 16mm core provides a soft, controlled feel with a forgiving sweet spot
  • +Latest-generation thermoformed construction for premium feel and consistency

Cons

    Best For

    Beginners

    Twist weight of 6.66 (74th percentile) and 16mm core create a forgiving sweet spot for learning

    Advanced / Tournament Players

    Firepower High tier — high firepower rewards players who can control the extra pace

    Compare with similar paddles

    The closest paddles to the Draco on swing weight, twist weight, power, spin, core and price.

    Think you know paddles? Guess which costs more, swings heavier or spins harder in Higher or Lower, or draft four pros in the 11-0 Challenge. New puzzles every day.

    Data sources

    Data sources. Specs from The Pickleball Studio's paddle database (mostly manufacturer figures; swing and twist weight measured by the source), power, pop and spin from lab testing credited to Pickleball Effect. Percentiles compare this paddle with the other paddles in our database. Pros and world ranks from the PPA Tour, as of Oct 11, 2026. The price is the list price from the source database and may have changed. How we score paddles.