Revolutionizing Beach Tennis: The Innovative Pydra Bat

Thijs Goossink's Award-Winning Design Enhances Performance and Ergonomics

Goossink's inspiration for the Pydra bat stemmed from the observation that beach tennis, a game that promotes social interaction and physical health, had room for innovation. With a market ranging from toys to lifestyle accessories, Goossink saw an opportunity to focus on performance, ergonomics, and quality. This focus aligns with the global increase in health awareness and the emerging offline trend, both of which are expected to benefit beach tennis.

The Pydra bat's unique properties set it apart from other beach tennis bats. Its ergonomic grip design features an atypical orientation, tactility, and natural angle, allowing for fast switching between forehand and backhand side without axial wrist rotation. This reduces wrist load and accelerates the game, making it more exciting and less strenuous for players.

The bat is made from a rigid foam core with a solid polymer shell, ensuring durability and longevity. Future product ranges may even feature fibre-reinforced composite skins. With a diameter of 280 mm, blade thickness of 12 mm, and weight of approximately 325 grams, the Pydra bat is designed to be both practical and comfortable for players.

Beach tennis, also known as frescobol, matkot, or beach paddle ball, is played by two people. The goal is to keep the flexible soft rubber ball in play for as long as possible. The game has no official rules and is non-competitive; both players benefit from each other's agility and stamina. The Pydra bat enhances this interaction, leading to exciting showdowns, especially at crowded beaches.

Goossink's design process involved 3D printing various concepts and grip designs over several years. The final version was designed and analyzed in April 2017, with the first prototypes made and successfully tested in June and July 2017. The bat's artwork is a two-dimensional representation of a self-created piece of 3D wall art in Goossink's house, adding a personal touch to the design.

The Pydra bat's innovative design and unique properties earned it the Silver A' Sporting Goods, Fitness and Recreation Equipment Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Pydra bat certainly fits this description, revolutionizing the game of beach tennis and setting a new standard for performance and ergonomics.