UPA-A Chrome/Reflective Material Hypocrisy: Why We Didn’t Submit Our Paddle To Them

They never banned our paddle, because it’s not worth the waste of money to submit. We read the official UPA-A manufacturer rules and knew better. But now, it seems the rules have changed? 

Lets dive in:

At this past weekend’s MLP Phoenix showdown, something stood out almost as much as the play itself: the Dallas Flash uniforms. Chrome lightning bolts. Reflective metallic logos. Under the stadium lights, they shimmered — and they looked 🔥.

Now here’s where it gets interesting: those reflective surfaces were everywhere — on jerseys, shorts, and skirts. Right in the line of sight of opposing players. But nobody said a word. No penalties. No DQs. No rule violations.

But You Know What Wouldn’t Fly?

Putting that same chrome finish on the edge of a paddle. How do we know?

Because UPA-A has a very specific rule buried in its paddle specification manual — the reason we at Dope Pickleball didn’t even bother submitting our chrome-edge paddle for approval:

“Paddles shall not be designed or decorated in a manner likely to impair the vision of opposing players or distract them from tracking the ball. This includes the use of reflective or sparkling materials on the face, edgeguard, or handle.”

— UPA-A Paddle Specifications, Section 8.1

In other words, even if performance is elite, even if the material causes zero issues on court — if it looks a certain way, it's out.

So Let’s Recap the Logic Here

• ✅ Chrome on jerseys? Legal.
• ✅ Chrome on shorts, hats, shoes? Go for it.
• ✅ Chrome on paddles (from big name brands)? Approved.
• ❌ Chrome edges from Dope Pickleball? Not allowed — because we read the rulebook and knew it’d be rejected.

This Isn’t a Rulebook. It’s a Vibe Check.

We didn’t get banned. We weren’t denied. We just saw the writing on the wall. Because at Dope Pickleball, we were the first to innovate with a chrome electroplated edge guard. We knew the UPA-A rule was vague and selectively enforced — and we knew it wouldn’t apply fairly.

Then came the kicker: months after we launched, big paddle brands quietly released chrome-looking edge guards — and got approved anyway.

So what are we supposed to believe?

• Chrome is disruptive — unless you’re wearing it?
• Chrome impairs vision — but only on certain brands paddles?

UPA-A Isn’t About Standards — It’s About Status

UPA-A (like USA Pickleball) isn’t a government agency. It’s a for-profit organization deciding who gets to play and who gets to win on their courts. No oversight. Their own rulebook says no reflective edges — but we see them on tour. Their own teams wear chrome — but paddles can’t shine.

This isn’t about fairness. It’s about favoritism.

Make it make sense..