Founder's Story

Hello, I’m Carl - husband, father, son, and the proud founder of Cyclotron Pickleball. My life is a journey between the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area and the dynamic city of Beijing, dividing my time equally between these two homes. My childhood was filled with a diverse range of competitive sports, from table tennis and badminton to basketball, volleyball, soccer, and rowing. These experiences forged my healthy body and resilient spirit, leaving me with a treasure trove of bittersweet memories that I cherish deeply.

The world of pickleball entered my life in an unexpected way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed the local park brimming with players - many of whom were around my parents’ age. Initially, I didn’t think much of it. The small court and the unique dinks seemed foreign to me. But in early 2024, my wife, who had recently taken up pickleball, invited me to join her for a game. With her encouragement and the expertise of professional trainers, I gave it a try. To my surprise, I was thoroughly outplayed. My shots frequently missed the mark, either sailing out of bounds or finding the net. My competitive nature drove me to action - I bought a $30 glass fiber Gen 1 paddle and began playing almost every morning. It was clear: pickleball was addictive, and it quickly became the most sociable sport I had ever encountered.

My background as an engineer with a PhD in Civil Engineering fueled my curiosity about the paddle itself. As I delved deeper into the sport, I tried over 150 different paddles and even spent three days at a paddle manufacturing facility in China. This hands-on experience gave me profound insights into the technology, research and development, and supply chain of paddle production. It was a fascinating exploration into how a simple piece of equipment can impact the game.

Now, I’m on a mission to tackle what I see as the biggest challenge in the paddle industry - creating the perfect paddle for most people. While some may say it’s an impossible task, my experiences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory taught me a valuable lesson: true worth comes from effort, pain, and difficulty. Inspired by the Cyclotron, a nuclear particle accelerator invented by Prof. Ernest Lawrence at Berkeley, I chose this name for our brand. Just as the Cyclotron accelerates and controls particles, I believe our paddles will help players control and elevate their pickleball game.

Life is fleeting and full of opportunities. For me, pickleball is a celebration of that fleeting joy. So, let’s embrace the game and make the most of every moment on the court.

Welcome to Cyclotron Pickleball. Let’s play.

You can email me at carl@cyclotronpickleball.com