A New Way to Compete at SAMPE: Introducing the Student Pickleball Paddle Design Competition

SAMPE North America is excited to introduce a brand-new student competition debuting at SAMPE Seattle 2026: the Student Pickleball Paddle Design Competition. Blending advanced materials engineering with creativity, fabrication, and a little friendly competition, this new offering brings hands-on innovation to the court.

Designed specifically for SAMPE Student Chapters, the competition challenges teams to design and fabricate their own pickleball paddles using materials and processes of their choosing. Each entry is evaluated for originality, utility, fabrication quality, and visual design, then tested on-site for mechanical stiffness using an industry-recognized test method. The result? A real-world engineering challenge that mirrors the decisions engineers make every day, balancing performance, manufacturability, and user experience.

But this competition goes beyond testing alone. Teams also develop a technical poster explaining their design approach, materials selection, and fabrication process, giving students the opportunity to practice one of the most critical professional skills: communicating engineering decisions clearly and effectively. Judges evaluate both the paddle and the poster together, reinforcing the importance of storytelling alongside technical excellence.

Whether you are interested in advanced composites, additive techniques, sustainable materials, or experimental fabrication methods, the Student Pickleball Paddle Design Competition offers a flexible, creative platform to explore new ideas and showcase your work to the global SAMPE community.

Learn more about the competition requirements, deadlines, and judging criteria HERE.

Innovation takes many forms. At SAMPE Seattle 2026, it just might start with a paddle in your hand.