Pickleball Paddle Review: Selkirk VANGUARD S2
The Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 from Selkirk Sports was recently shipped to my house, and I couldn't wait to try it out -even the packaging was impressive. Upon opening the black box, I first saw an envelope with a Selkirk seal attached to a thin black layer alongside a lifetime warranty card. Watch this unboxing video to get a sneak peek at what you can expect if you order one of these pickleball paddles.
Selkirk VANGUARD S2 Paddle Specs & Features
Average Lightweight: 7.4oz - 7.9oz
Average Midweight: 7.8oz - 8.3oz
Edge Guard: EdgeSentry™ technology
Grip Circumference: 4.25"
Grip Length: 4.5"
Handle Length: Medium handle (4.5")
Height: 15.75"
Paddle Core: X5™ Honeycomb Thick Poly Core
Paddle Face: Quantum-CarbonFiber Face
Paddle Grip: VANGUARD Geo Grip™ for supreme comfort
Skill Level: Beginner to Pro
Sweetspot size: 10
USAPA approved
Width: 8.0"
Size of the Selkirk Vanguard S2
Digging a level deeper into the box is a beautifully designed paddle with the largest surface area I've ever seen. Of course, it abides by the USA Pickleball's paddle standards for tournaments, with it being 15.75” in length and 8” in width but it has the largest sweet spot of any Selkirk paddle I’ve seen due to the shorter grip length.
Selkirk Vanguard S2 Grip
The grip size is perfect for pickleball players who have small to average-sized hands like mine and offers an average grip circumference. It features VANGUARD Geo Grip™ for supreme comfort with cushioning and moisture-wicking properties, and it is easy to switch hands as needed.
Selkirk Vanguard S2 Paddle Materials
The s2 pickleball paddle has a proprietary bidirectional quantum-carbon fiber face offering a pro-spin texture for maximum spin. This, combined with the polypropylene honeycomb technology in the core, offers players a balanced feel while the core thickness combined with the core material dampens the sound and vibration. The large sweet spot and polymer core won’t let you down when you’re dinking at the net, and offers epic drives with a surprising amount of power.
Selkirk Vanguard S2 Paddle Weight Options
The paddle comes in two different weights. The midweight paddle is 7.9 to 8.4 ounces. I opted for the lightweight version with a low-profile edge guard which ranges from 7.6 ounces to 7.9 ounces. The lighter weight didn’t cause a loss of power when playing, which is great for those who may be suffering from pickleball elbow or simply prefer a paddle that is easier to swing.
Accuracy of the Selkirk Vanguard S2
Regardless of whether you hit the ball on the top, bottom, left, or right edge, you rarely experience a missed hit. In fact, my shots were placed where I intended them to be, regardless of where the ball hit the paddle. This was most notable during the serve, and I was able to get ample spin on the ball.
Final Thoughts
This paddle is impressive, but you will need to shell out almost $200 for it unless you opt for a factory second which you can find exclusively on Amazon. These factory seconds just have some minor markings on the paddle face but should not impact performance. Whether you opt for a minted, first-run Vanguard paddle or a factory second, the only real downside to this paddle is the handle length and this may only impact players with a two-handed backhand or for tennis players who are used to a longer handle. Have you tried the Selkirk Vanguard S2? What did you think of it?
