Makai is your next step after the beginner phase—built for players who want more spin, touch, and precision without losing control. If you’re starting to think about strategy, shot shape, and soft game dominance, Makai gives you the feedback and feel to grow into a more complete player.
When you’re past the “just hit it over” stage, you need a paddle that responds to what your hands are trying to do. Makai is designed for developing players who want to add spin, finesse, and placement to their game while still keeping a stable, confidence-boosting feel.
Designed for players who want more spin, better touch, and a paddle that helps elevate consistency and control.
Great for dialing in drops, rolls, and precise dinks as you start shaping shots with intention.
The perfect step up from beginner paddles—ideal for rec league play, open play, and skill progression.
Responsive polymer core in two thickness options
Makai is available in multiple core thicknesses so you can match feel to your style. A thinner core is a bit quicker and more reactive, while a thicker core adds stability and control on touch shots. Both are tuned for reliable feedback, not harsh vibration.
Raw carbon fiber hitting surface
The gritty, T700-style carbon face “grabs” the ball for increased spin and a more connected feel on contact. This helps you shape dinks, drops, and drives with better precision as your mechanics improve.
Balanced swing weight
Makai is engineered to move quickly at the kitchen while still feeling solid through contact. You get fast hands in hand battles without sacrificing stability on deeper drives and returns.
Durable edge and face construction
Reinforced edges and a quality layup help the paddle hold its performance over time, even with regular play and drilling.
Makai plays like a control-first paddle with serious spin potential. You’ll notice:
• Easier topspin and slice on serves, returns, and rolls
• Confident, predictable touch in the soft game at the kitchen line
• Stable blocks and resets when opponents are driving hard
• Enough pop to finish points, without feeling overly jumpy or wild
It’s the kind of paddle that lets you experiment with new shots and strategies while still feeling in command of the ball.
Makai is ideal if you:
• Have moved beyond absolute beginner and are playing regularly
• Want to develop a stronger soft game, dinks, drops, and resets
• Like the idea of using spin and placement instead of only power
• Play in rec leagues, open play, or are considering your first tournaments
If you’ve outgrown your first paddle and are ready for something that rewards better technique, Makai is your natural next move.
• More spin, more control – The raw carbon surface lets you bend, dip, and roll the ball with more intention.
• Soft-game friendly – Great touch at the kitchen so you can win points with patience and placement.
• Stable, confident feel – Enough forgiveness to protect you on off-center contact, without feeling mushy.
• Perfect “bridge” paddle – A clear step up from beginner paddles, but not so extreme that it punishes you while you’re still sharpening your skills.
Makai is built to support you as you turn casual experience into a more confident, complete style of play.
Ready for even more precision and firepower? When your game demands maximum spin, control, and pro-level feel, our Kahuna advanced paddles are the next stop on your journey.
Browse intermediate picks, compare specs, or fine-tune your game with our tech insights.
My wife and I are new to the sport and bought 2 beginner paddles to try. We fell in love with pickleball and the paddles worked fine, but I began to shop around and look for a better paddle. Kevin allowed us to try a variety of his paddles and I was surprised at how much a paddle can affect your game. The Kahuna’s feel, response and look make all the difference, so we purchased a Kahuna 14 & 16. Although we are new to the sport, the Kahuna has quickly made us competitive in every game we play. Strongly recommend the company and people at Chill Pickle. Make an investment in your game and avoid the sporting goods special and go with the Chill Pickle quality and appeal.
Just started playing pickleball for a couple of months and originally purchased a “general” paddle to see if I enjoyed the game. After months of playing and borrowing more advanced paddles from other players, I knew it was time to upgrade. I met Kevin and was Introduced at a local court. He let me try out the paddles he offers. Wow, what a difference! More control and more power than what I had been using. Instantly changed my game for the better. I also love that fact that he is local to my area. Very impressed on the performance of his paddles. Kevin is a great innovator to the sport. I highly recommend purchasing one of these paddles. I use the Kahuna paddles and can’t imagine veering to another brand. These are paddles I trust … Thanks Kevin!
I purchased the Chill Pickle Kahuna 14 paddle. It offers much more control than my previous paddle. Many players in my group have tried Chill Pickle paddles and made the switch.
After trying the chill pickle paddle, I truly believe it took my game up a notch!! I switched from a more expensive brand and could not be more pleased! The customer service is top notch as well, customer for life!
Just purchased my second Makai E16 paddle. Great paddle and Kevin is awesome to deal with!! Can’t go wrong 😉
Kevin is great to work with. He came and helped our church run a week long pickleball event. He brought his paddles and I had the opportunity to use several. The materials are high quality and the care and design put into these paddles is top notch. They were awesome to play with and the kids were split on which was the favorite. I can recommend using every one of these paddles. At the end of the camp, Kevin donated a Woosa 4 Paddle set to our program and it has been a huge hit! Thanks Kevin, come back and play with us anytime!
This paddle not only plays amazing, it’s a conversation starter every time I pull it out.
Love the Kahuna E16. My natural stroke is always a slice or backspin. The raw carbon face looks great, but it really shines when the ball comes off it spinning faster than any other paddle I've used.
The Kahuna feels like it was made for my game. Best upgrade I’ve ever made.
I was playing pickleball with a fairly expensive paddle but couldn’t make the hits I desired. The Kahuna 14 paddle from Chill Pickle was an immediate fix to my inconsistent shots. The paddle afforded me more control and I found the weight to be a perfect amount to maneuver easily. I especially love the ribbed handle grip that gave me a good hold on the paddle. I highly recommend Chill Pickle paddles!!
Been a while since I played but played the other night. Was playing terrible and realized I was playing with my old paddle. Changed to my recently purchased Kahuna E14 and one my next 3 games. Not kidding!
I’ve been playing with the E14 and the E16 lately. Great paddles, lots of control, tons of ability to spin. The differences between the 2 are the amount of pop you get. So when I am "on my game" the E14 gives me a bit more power to pass or put one down the middle before anybody can react. If I ever get good enough I am guessing the E14 is the paddle of choice, but in the mean time I carry both!
Love my new Kahuna my wife got me on Black Friday! Much larger sweet spot great feel when dinking!
It works! Amazing how much plastic builds up on the face of my Kahuna paddle. A few seconds after every session cleans it off. Guessing this eraser should last a very long time.
I Love it! Super comfortable and I can get so many more shots "in" due to the great control, and plenty of spin when I want it. And it's a classy looking paddle as well! Thanks Kevin.
Why Players Love Chill Pickle
Performance Meets Paradise
High-tech paddles with tropical style
Paddles Built
to Last
Lightweight and durable designs
Something For Every Player
Technology for beginners to advanced
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