Dranix Ipanema 500

     Another flagship frame hailing from Brasil, the Ipanema 500 is most known for it's iconic orange hues and it's scalpel like control. To those of you hailing from tennis, the Ipanema 500 (hereafter the I5) is the prestige of the tennis world. A blend of power and control, the I5 is a sort of little brother to the powerhouse DX Brasil but fully stands alone and shines on its merits.

Appearance:

The I5 shines out bright orange and will catch any player's eye when they first see it. Using a simple, classic design, Dranix has produced an appealing frame without going overboard. The surface of the paddle is smooth with clean lines. Consistent with the Dranix line, the coating on the paddle will stand up to the normal wear and tear although the clean white rim will naturally pick up the hues of the sand as you play.

Construction:

As a player frame, the I5 has a full 100% carbon fiber face coupled with Dranix's proprietary foam. The combination will yield the familiar responsive pop that DX players know and love. Although similar in construction to the Brasil, the I5 gains a bit more feel from the slightly thinner frame. The majority of the frames I have come across weigh in at the mid to high 350g range but are balanced more towards the handle mitigating the weight and facilitating maneuverability. Customizing the I5 is a breeze. The quality of the materials is high and the frames drill nicely. As a control frame, the most common drill pattern is to slightly reduce the power of the frame.

Playing Characteristics:

Offensively: Similar to the Brasil, the DX I5 has a very responsive face. Balls will pop off the racquet and it is easy to accelerate the pace of play. Where the I5 differs is that the power is never overwhelming and always has a semblance of control. The prime adjectives that define the I5 are precision and control. Angles come easily to this racquet and smashes are crisp and clean. I found that it was easier to put extra spin on the ball with the I5 as compared to the Brasil and Wild Green but that I had to focus on centering the ball and placing my shots.

 As a person who relies on big, heavy serves, I had a bit of difficulty finding my range with this frame. I found that shorter tosses with extra spin worked best and allowed me to move the ball around for the best results.

Defensively: Despite keeping to a higher weight, the I5 is among the most maneuverable in the DX line. Returning overheads and drop shots is definitely facilitated by the more head light balance. Return of serve benefits from the control characteristics of the paddle-- it's easy and comfortable to direct the ball where you want or where you need it to be. The benefits gained by the balance are slightly offset by the I5's off center response. Shots to the frame of the paddle will not produce any miracles. Center the ball and you're in a great position to play, catch a frame and the ball will dribble off into the sand. Having said that, keep the ball centered and points will always be competitive.

Final Thoughts:

The I5 is a great Flagship paddle for the DX line. It blends a combination of power and control that will appeal to just about any player picking up the frame. Developing players will enjoy  the responsiveness of the paddle while pros will benefit from the control and maneuverability of the paddle. Overall, a great buy and a great play for anyone picking it up. The I5 performs well across the board and it's difficult to find any flaws-- I look forward to seeing more products put out like this one.

Pros:
+Powerful but plenty of control.
+Surprising Maneuverability for a 350+ g paddle.
+Pick up and play-- no learning curve

Cons:
- Lack of response on off-center shots.

Hermosa Beach, California G1 Tournament

Tons of news and photographs are pouring in from the G1 tournament in Hermosa Beach, California. I'll be doing a piece on it soon but thought I'd post some pictures in the meanwhile!!!





 Sunset of Champions

Center Court

 Congratulations to all the players!

Women's Singles Final

Men's Singles Final 

 

And of course... What tournament would be complete without a top-notch player party?

(Thank you to David Sickmen for the photos posted above)



More photos to come!
~A

Smash Athletica Crush

                         

                                                         http://smashathletica.com/large.php?CleanUrl=&mID=0&sID=0&PID=2


The Smash Athletica Crush is the first in a series of player paddles designed by the line. After a few different renditions, SA has produced a quality product to compete in the ever growing market of paddles. One of the first to use a full visual for a graphic, the Crush will definitely catch your eye on the beach.

Appearance:

The first thing you'll notice about the Crush is the vibrant colors covering the racquet face. When it first came out, SA took a different approach and focused on making a visually aesthetic racquet that not only played well but looked good in the hands. Without a doubt, you'll be able to spot players with a Crush from afar. The running joke on the tour is that the depiction flying through the air is none other than the famous US player Donny Young-- one of the SmashAthletica pros!

 At 20mm thick, the crush has a sleek profile that won't damage easily. The lines are clean and the graphic laid down properly.

Construction:

The Crush takes a slightly different approach on design build for a player's frame. SA went with a full layer of 3K Carbon and 2 layers of finely blown glass. Players will find that the Crush maintains the traditional "Carbon" feel while having the dampening effect of traditional fiberglass based racquets. As mentioned above, the frame comes in at 20mm thick and is sleek and easy to hold in the hands. Tennis players may note that this frame adopts a Babolat-esqe design; a thick throat that slims down to a thinner head. Ideally, this design allows players to retain maneuverability while cutting down on feedback to the arm from hard struck balls. The core of the frame adopts a medium density foam that is solid on contact while keeping the weight down. Weighing in at 336g, the Crush takes an middle of the road approach to weight. It's neither a heavy "serving" frame nor is it a superlight.

Playing Characteristics

Offensively: The Crush scores well in all aspects of the offensive category but is not defined by any in particular. Serves have a balanced mix of power and control. I found that I was able to swing harder into my serve without the risk of hitting the ball out. Similarly, I found that I was able to place the ball effectively once I took the heat off. The Crush will return what you put into it. If you look to accelerate the pace, increase your swing. If you seek to dampen shots, take some off the pace. Since the Crush is not a traditional "full carbon" frame, it does not wield free power like many of the current Dranix and Vision frames. For players who value control but would rather not play with Kevlar, the Crush will be a powerful tool.

Defensively:
A definite highlight of the Crush is its maneuverability. In the 330 range, it's fairly easy to whip the head of the racquet around to combat overheads and serves. Drop shots off return of serve are facilitated by the hybrid glass/carbon construction. Since the Crush doesn't lend any free power, players will have to focus on centering the ball for returns but will be rewarded by ease of placement. Due to the thin frame and lower weight, players may find some trouble with shots near the frame.

Final Thoughts:

The Crush really is a nice addition to the Smash Athletica line. It offers players an intermediate between the Full Carbon and Kevlar worlds while maintaining a unique aesthetic profile. All around players and developmental players will both enjoy this frame upon first play. 

Pros:
+ All around play
+Sleek profile
+ Variable control

Cons:
- Lacking in power for a Carbon frame
- Stability on off-center shots

Dranix Brasil

                                              Dranix Brasil

 

http://dranixsports.blogspot.com/2012/01/vem-ai-nova-colecao-de-raquetes-da.html

One of two flagship products, the Dranix Brasil (Brasil) is an iconic racquet not only for the company but also for a country. It is a clear symbol of Brasilian Beach Tennis both for its artistic rendering of the country's flag and also for the signature of Brasil's star athlete Vinicius Font. True to the signer's nature, the racquet is an advanced frame capable of enhancing huge smashes and serves.

Appearance:

The Brasil is not only a top level racquet but it also is a work of art! Those fond of abstraction will appreciate this rendering of the Brasilian flag. Instead of the traditional "Ordem E Progresso," smack in the middle of the hitting surface, "Orgulho de ser brasileira" declares "Proud to be Brazilian!" Outside of the aesthetics of this racquet, the finish is clean and crisp, with a slight grain to it. After playing with several frames, I've found that the paint job will hold up to scrapes, bumps and bruises. It seems to have a top coat that will chip over time but won't expose the carbon frame underneath. Play with it enough and track it through the sand and the rim will pick up the tan hues of the beach.

If you're a fan of drilling extra holes, the Brasil will give you nothing but headaches. Although it has a great design, it will give perfectionists fits since symmetry is not the paddle's priority!

Construction:

As a top frame, the Brasil has a full 100% carbon fiber face. Inside, Dranix uses a proprietary foam in full. the frame has a nice thick core that coupled with the carbon face produces an amplified pop. Tap it against the hand and it will feel pretty solid and responsive. Dranix strays from the traditional handle style that Vision established years ago in that it uses a larger throat, a longer handle, and a thicker grip. Along with the thicker grip, you will noticed that the Brasil is a bit more squared out than its competitors. You'll also notice that there is a generous handle and a long throat that accommodates the largest of non-dominant hands.

As advertised above, the Brasil paddles that I've come across have weighed in between 357g and 362g.

Playing Characteristics:

Offensively: Consistent with its design and signing player, the Brasil has a ton of pop and is conducive to big serves and big smashes. Upon the first few hits, you'll immediately notice that the Brasil has the signature "pop" or feedback that Dranix has developed. You can feel the ball spring off the hitting surface of the paddle. Hitting into shots can be overwhelming at first because of the speedy response of the Brasil. Smashes may stray deep initially but are reigned in after a few adjustments.Once you dial it in, you'll find that the ball carries weight on serves and smashes alike. The weight and balance of this frame accelerate through the ball and are adept for flat and spin players alike.

Defensively: The Brasil does measure up to its determined weight and feels like a 360g paddle; there is a certain heft to it that some players may not like. At this weight and with an extended length, don't expect to be able to whip it around at will. The initial impression is that this is an offensively-designed paddle. Keeping that in mind, you will find that while it is not as maneuverable as it's lighter, orange cousin, it is stable. Return of big serves and overheads is a matter of putting the face of the paddle in the right place. The Brasil will do the rest of the work. Shots to the edge of the frame won't twist the paddle and will still go over.

Final Thoughts:

Undoubtedly this is an aggressive paddle. The response off the face of the paddle begs for players to speed up the pace and hit heavy smashes. Defensively it will give players a stable platform to get the ball back in play and to retake the offensive. Players who prefer more maneuverable frames may not take to the Brasil but those who enjoy the extra power will execute some devastating shots.

Pros:
+Free power
+Stability
+Comfortable handle for players with large hands/ room for a non-dominant hand.

Cons:
- Power can be overwhelming.
- Heavy.
- Weight and length can make it sluggish.

Upcoming reviews

I've spent a lot of time checking out different beach tennis racquets (or paddles) trying to find that perfect one; what I've gathered is that there is no "perfect" racquet (yet). Racquets are as unique as players are. I've also spend a decent time researching materials and working with different players to customize paddles to their liking. My goals here are to provide a spectrum of reviews that can serve as a baseline for making educated choices for anything you'd like to try, or even buy. If I can get my hands on it, I'll review it.  Enjoy!

Planned list of review:

Dranix:
Brasil
Ipanema 500

SmashAthletica:
Rhino
Crush

Tom Caruso:
Olympic

BTUSA:
Ti Smash
Ti Kevlar
Classic


Regards,
Anthony

Welcome Everyone!

Welcome everyone!

   Well, here goes my first shot at writing a blog. I've been writing about tennis related materials for a number of years now on different forums but never thought to consolidate it in all in one place. Given my involvement and passion for Beach Tennis, a friend of mine suggested that I start a blog that encompasses information on players, equipment, and the latest results and tournaments from around the word.


Some background:

  I have been involved in the tennis world for quite some time now and was introduced to the beach tennis family about three years ago randomly at a tennis expo. I owe many thanks to Mark Altheim and Jim Lorenzo @BeachTennisUSA for introducing me to the sport, and reeling me in hook,line, and sinker. It was addiction at first smash. Since then, I have been blessed to play in three different countries, have met and played with some of the top athletes in the sport and made many friends along the way.

My goals:
   My goal for this blog is to create a space where beach tennis players can come for an unbiased discussion on the sport, the players, and anything related. There is a fantastic community throughout Europe and South America that uses Beach Tennis as a focal point. I'd like to create and encourage the same atmosphere here in the USA!


Regards,
Anthony