Review on JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion CFS Pickleball Paddle - USAPA Approved For Tournament Play - Carbon Fiber Pickle Ball Racket - Available In 16Mm And Swift by Jonathan Lloyd

It wasn't long ago that Joola's first Hyperion CFS 16 racket was released. At the time it was Joola's top-of-the-line pro racket and now a second version, the Hyperion CFS Swift 16 has been released, in addition to the initial version. Joola has also released a women's version endorsed by Simone Jardime with a slightly smaller grip diameter than the original Ben John's Hyperion line, but otherwise identical.In fact, the entire Hyperion line has been revamped. Remaining the same is the original Hyperion CFS 16. But slotting in alongside the Hyperion CFS 16 is this racket from Joola which has trimmed nearly half an ounce in weight via use of different materials (Joola calls it their "Swift" technology) , making a lighter, somewhat stiffer paddle otherwise the same in dimensions and construction as the non-Swift version.The Swift version of the Hyperion CFS 16 is similar in dimensions and technology to the original, but the use of weight-reducing materials has produced a powerful racket lacking some of the velvety aplomb of shots by the original model. Less pop and control and more blunt power characterize this racket.Also available in the smaller-grip Simone Jardim line is the Hyperion CFS 14 Swift. The 14mm Swift model is lighter than the non-Swift. At 14mm, this is more of a power paddle with slightly less control than the larger model. There's more pop to strikes with more feedback to your hand and arm.Now a few notes on the entire Hyperion lineup.When Ben Johns signed to promote Joola the company designed not just one but a series of three paddles together with him, all called "Ben Johns Hyperion" paddles. Originally, there were two 16mm thick paddles with differing face surfaces and a 13.5mm model. The 13.5 model is still available but Joola has added several 14mm paddles to the Hyperion lineup.The models differ further in these ways:1) The 16mm Hyperion Carbon Friction Surface (CFS) paddle is slightly head-heavy and has a fine carbon surface that feels a bit like emery cloth for superior grip and spin--and longevity of surface friction. The thickness of this paddle combined with the honeycomb variance and the hyperfoam edges makes for a paddle that may initially seem soft, but which has real power despite the apparent softness.This paddle contains several innovations not found in other pickleball paddles--a carbon fiber handle (rather than polymer from inside the head combined with slivers of wood like the tang of a knife extending the blade metal between wood grips) under the wrap for additional flex and power, a hyperfoam edge wall for vibration reduction and a better sweet spot and what Joola calls a "reactive core" in which smaller, tighter honeycomb cells in the polymer core are combined with larger, looser cells to merge the forgiving and more-easily-controlled hit tendencies of larger, softer cells with tight and powerful smaller cells for power.2) The various paddles differ in thickness with the thinner paddles, in addition to the other differences between models, having less control than the thicker paddles, but greater power. Shots feel crisper from the thinner models, but control is not quite as precise.The CAS (Carbon Abrasion Surface) and CGS (Carbon Grip Surface) paddles are alike in that they have a uniform, larger honeycomb structure in the polymer center of the head rather than the combined large and small cells of the CFS paddles--making for a bit less power with greater control and accuracy. The CAS and CGS models lack the solid carbon handle of the CFS rackets. Nor do they have the Hyperfoam edges of the CFS model.Both CAS paddles weigh a bit less than the 16 CFS, with the slightly greater weight of the CFS being found primarily in the head because of the tighter honeycomb structure and the Hyperfoam edges.Finally the CAS paddles have a carbon surface over fiberglass ply. The grittiness of the CFS model seems intrinsic to the paddle surface while the CAS models seem more like sandpaper with grit extrinsic to the actual underlying surface.The CFS is a beast of a paddle. Don't use it if you aren't willing to spend the money for it because it might spoil the others for you. The 16 CAS is a fine paddle, just a hair less powerful and forgiving than the 16 CFS. The thinner models make up in power what they loses in control because of its harder blade.